British National Party Membership

The leaking of the BNP membership list in November 2008 exposed a minority of fire service employees who are members of that organisation. This Conference reiterates our abhorrence of that organisationʼs ideology. This Conference strongly supports the Race Relations Amendment Act 2000 and the general statutory duty placed on Fire and Rescue Authorities to promote good race relations. The FBU must continue to lobby the Fire and Rescue Service to make a clear statement to its current employees and new applicants, that members of these extremist organisations are not welcome in the Fire and Rescue Service. We applaud those who have already made clear statements that these people are not wanted by their Fire and Rescue Service. This Conference therefore calls upon the Fire Brigades Union to: 1) Clarify its policy on what action will be taken if any FBU member is found to be a member of a far right or extremist organisation whose policies are in direct opposition to the policies and Rules of the FBU. 2) Bring all relevant Rule Changes to Annual Conference 2010 allowing for the expulsion from the FBU of any member who is also a member of the BNP and other similar fascist organisations. 3) Ensure that all FBU educational processes discuss the far right and the real threat they pose to democracy in the UK and Europe. 4) Lobby the Government to ensure that the Fire and Rescue Service can have the same rights as the Police and Prison services to dismiss members of extremist organisations from their employment.