LAST Saturday, June 6, the country commemorated and paid tribute to the servicemen who died on that day 65 years ago in order to liberate Europe from the fascist Nazi regime that had taken control of Europe.

And yet, two days before, people whose grandparents and parents served and gave their lives between 1939-45, went to the polls and voted for the fascist British National Party, whose aims are no different to the intolerance to race and creed of the Nazis.

They should hang their heads in shame and ask themselves: “Would I be here today without the sacrifice of those who fought against intolerance, racial prejudice and political censorship?” Remember Auschwitz, Dachau and Belsen.

And it all started 80 years ago because the Nazi Party in Germany, pretending to be a democratic party, traded upon people’s prejudices and by discrediting the elected government, in a time of financial crisis, took control.

The similarity to today’s political scene is frightening.

Wake up – before it is too late.

D-Day Veteran (Name supplied), Darlington.

FIRST of all, I have no sympathy at all with the BNP and all that it stands for. Its ideas are odious.

However, the British people in their wisdom have just elected its leader, Nick Griffin, to the European Parliament.

My definition of fascists, looking back to the Thirties, are people, thugs, who use violence to prevent free speech.

The people pelting this man with eggs outside Parliament on Tuesday are no better than the bullies of the Thirties – the boot being on the other foot, I think.

All that was achieved on Tuesday was to give the man the publicity he craves. Ninety nine per cent of our population abhor his views and would never give that party the time of day.

Peter Hill, School Aycliffe, Co Durham.

HOW naive I am thinking that we live in a democracy where freedom of speech is for everyone. Why should a democratically-elected party be unable to voice its opinions because of thuggish behaviour by people who do not agree with them?

Also, as a member of the Fire Brigades’ Union, why do they feel the need to send literature out to their members instructing them not to vote for the BNP?

I am not a supporter of the BNP, but it seems to me that this country can only practise democracy when it suits.

Name and address supplied.