The Editor

09

Aug

2012

Danny Lake responds

Written by Danny Lake

Before I start, I would like to thank the British Resistance for carrying this story. Granted, we haven't always seen eye to eye. And there have been times when stories have been published which are arguably false. Such as the claims I celebrated the death of an 82 year old woman.

The woman in question was Barbara Packer, a lifelong nationalist, who despite the comments made by somebody pretending to be me on the British Democracy Forum (I use the handle "Man of the Lake"), was certainly no Griffinite. As any member of Swindon BNP who knew her will only too happily tell you.

On that issue, I feel it is neccesary to set the record straight. Not because of any damage that may or may not have been caused to my reputation as a result of the falsehood. People are after all entitled to their opinion no matter how much I may disagree (A right exercised by the editor of this website on a number of occasions). But because Barbara would be spinning in her grave if she heard herself being refered as a Griffinite. She was in fact a staunch Tyndallite. And although spending her career on the opposite side of the nationalist coin to me, was a woman I admired for her courage and dedication to the cause of nationalism. As well as one who greatly humoured me with the venom she would quite often sit there spitting in Nick Griffin's direction.

Moving swiftly on however, there isn't really much that can be said with regards my camping protest outside Swindon Borough Council Offices. Other than it would never have been neccessary if it weren't for the changes made that effected thousands of young men and women up and down the country.

At 21:00hrs on Monday 6th August, I set up camp on the lawn outside Wat Tyler House with the intention of venting my frustrations at the change in policy which had seen me made homeless. At 06:00 the following morning security arrived, and after informing them that this was nothing personal against them, I would be refusing to move on as I was making a protest against Government policy.

Around 08:00, the rest of the security team arrived as work started at the council. And upon being informed I was not moving, they quickly dissapeared. Enter the Homeless team, who upon asking what my problem was, wandered off to deal with the issue.

Now I should point out that at no point did I expect to be housed. As far as I was concerned the change in policy was final, and there was nothing I could do other than exercise my democratic right to be ignored. So settling down for a long protest, supporters begun to trickle in. Carrying with them promises of bringing more people to support what I was doing. An undoubtedly powerful happenstance which once I informed the council, only seemed to speed up their efforts to sort the problem out.

Eventually, sometime around 14:30 the homeless team turned up and invited me into the building for a meeting. At the end of which I was informed of a scheme whereby the council rent a property from a local letting agent, and then sub let the property to me. And as such, they were prepared to provide me with a new flat through this scheme.

Naturally I said yes please, and after meeting up with the letting agent to fill in some paperwork (who by the way, happened to be my much humoured, former landlord) I was given the keys to a new flat in Swindon. Once that is, I'd taken down my tent.

Now obviously, I was at the time, and still am very happy with the outcome. But what got me about this whole incident was the cost. To rent my old flat it cost the taxpayer £450 a month. However, to rent the new flat, whilst the rent itself is £425 a month. The council charge £680 a month. Paying the letting agent his £425 and keeping £255 for themselves.

Granted, I appreciate that many hard working Brits' will feel outraged by this story in general. Maybe they'll even feel that I shouldn't get any help at all. But ask yourself this. Is a full on assault against the poorest in our society justifiable when the outcome is not only more expensive, but at the same time, creates yet more homelessness, more unemployment and at the same time, makes it harder still for those who are finding life difficult to get back on track. Personally, I don't think so. And if this whole episode demonstrates anything, then it is the ability of the weakest in our society to hold those in power to account over bad policy decisions.

Of course, protests don't always end with such a positive outcome. And on the most part the protestor will be doing nothing more than exercising his democratic right to be ignored. As the Occupy protests have shown. But where the small issues are concerned, where those little things that effect you on a personal basis are concerned, direct action is, as this whole episode demonstrates, a very effective means of political action. And can, if played right, end with an extremely agreeable outcome.

Danny Lake

Independent Nationalist

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