Saddened by BNP success

Letter: We recently saw the 65th anniversary of D-Day, and in September we will be commemorating the 70th anniversary of the start of the Second World War.

Millions fought, and many millions died, to defeat the Nazis' plans for a "New Order", which involved the persecution of sections of the population.

I'm sure those fighting for our freedoms never imagined that after all their sacrifices we would be in a position within living memory where their sons/daughters or grandchildren would vote for a party like the BNP.

It saddens me that so many voters have an irrational hatred of sections of the community, and have allowed themselves to be exploited to enable Nick Griffin and Andrew Brons to gain seats. Even more despairing is the many who claim they know nothing about the BNP policies but voted for them out of anger with the three main parties!

However, those who did not vote are equally as culpable for this situation, as it allowed the BNP to win seats whilst attracting fewer votes! I'm sick of people saying they are angry/fed-up with politicians and that is why they don't vote or decide to vote for UKIP or the BNP.

The complete lack of understanding of how politics influences every aspect of our daily lives; the ignorance of the fight our forefathers had to endure to get the right to vote and the importance that it is "our duty" to preserve this right, is staggering.

I believe we owe it to those who have given their lives to win these rights, to ensure all our children learn about their struggles at school.

Roy Sheward, Redhouse Lane, Aldridge, Walsall.