The Birmingham Branch held their first meeting of the year on Thursday 19th January. Organiser Paul Hickman was pleased to see long term members who came to hear of the branch’s progress along with some new faces.

The meeting began with a summary of Birmingham activism since the last meeting. Mr Hickman informed the members that Birmingham activists had sold poppies for the British Legion, laid a Birmingham British National Party wreath at the Birmingham Cenotaph, and that activists had travelled from Birmingham to support the ‘Protect the Poppy’ vigil in London.

A brief overview of last year’s annual party conference was given – Mr Hickman explained that he put forth a motion entitled ‘First Cousin Marriages should be made illegal’ he informed the members of the reason for choosing this subject; namely that ‘first-cousin’ marriages greatly increase the chances of a child being born with physical and/or learning disabilities, the cost to the taxpayer is enormous, and that first cousin marriages are also an ‘immigration loophole’ with certain ethnic groups in Britain using the loophole to bring additional family members to our overcrowded country. Mr Hickman informed the members that the motion was passed following a vote by conference delegates.

He went on to explain that the branch had delivered 3000 leaflets in Quinton regarding the closure of the police station in the ward and suggested it will be an ongoing issue as further police stations in Birmingham are either being cut to part time hours or closed altogether.

An update was given regarding the illegal Billesley Mosque which has become a total farce due to the councillors constantly cancelling ward meetings and back-pedalling. The Labour Party MP for the Constituency had been present at the last ward meeting, he assured residents he would call for the mosque to be closed down due to a covenant on the building forbidding it being used for religious or educational purposes. Steve McCabe MP said there would be a land tribunal around November or December 2011 where a final decision would be made by a judge.

A recent information request was sent asking about the tribunal, the council have confirmed in writing no such tribunal has been scheduled. The branch have decided that further action will be required by Birmingham British National Party if a satisfactory outcome is not achieved at the next ward meeting later this month.  Mr Hickman informed the members that the residents of Billesley are rightly disgusted by the contempt their councillors have shown them and are very much agreed that the situation must be concluded – no further delay tactics will be accepted.

The members were also informed of community work activists had taken part in such as supporting a resident who lives near the city centre who was in desperate need of re-housing due to racial abuse and harassment.  Activists had also supported a female party member who had an issue with social services.

Mr Hickman said he expects more people will contact the party asking for help and advice on such issues as the indigenous people of the city increasingly begin to resent being treated as second class citizens in their own country. People who are ignored and disregarded by their councilors and MP’s are turning to the British National Party when no one else will help them Mr Hickman stated.

Finally the election strategy for 2012 was discussed. Mr Hickman explained that the branch was back up to strength and had twice the number of regular activists that it had this time last year. It was therefore decided that two groups would be campaigning simultaneously for the local elections this year. Hodge Hill candidate David Campion has agreed to co-ordinate the target wards in East Birmingham while Paul Hickman will run the campaign in the South of the City.

The North of the city is not yet as strong as hoped but Mr Hickman informed members that there are two activists who leaflet all year round in our North Birmingham target wards.

After a break and buffet Mr Hickman introduced the Guest speaker - veteran nationalist and East Midlands Regional Organiser Geoff Dickens.

Mr Dickens gave an inspiring speech about the Frankfurt school and how the majority of people had become disillusioned with the political process. He talked of how hard previous generations (and more recently women) had fought for the right to vote and gave speculation as to why turn out is now so low at local elections. The guest speaker underlined the importance of local activism and community politics and took some questions from the floor.

The next branch meeting will be after the local elections on May 5th 2012.

If anyone would like to help Birmingham British National Party with their May 2012 local election campaign please call Paul Hickman on 07523182706