These are worrying times in the region.

Mainstream political parties must take note that the Far-right is a serious threat to this community. It seems thus far they have failed to do so. How else can you explain the victories in Burnley?

Nearly two years on from the riots in the town the work done to foster community relations seems to have had little effect on those men and women who went out and voted for the extreme right. It was pleasing to see though the pitiful showing of the far-right in Greater Manchester.

The political parties should be asking themselves why they did so and why today, issues such as asylum seekers and race still remain at the forefront in our towns.

The problem lie with the perceptions of the Asian community and in particular of the Muslim community. The mainstream media and the Labour government has done little to bolster relations by stereo-typing the community. These feelings of resentment have found their way to the far-right voter who continues to see problems in his or her town as ones caused primarily by Asylum seekers and the Asian community.

The war also managed to highten tensions, with parts of the media who were quick to latch on to 'terror tales' involving some Muslims.

The Labour party has no doubt felt a backlash after the war but the far-right should not even have been given an excuse to take advantage of the apathy towards the Muslim community.

It would be foolish to say that all those who voted for the far-right are racists, however the fact remains that there are certain elements within our community are inherently racist. And they will continue to fear other communites in their towns.

The far-right have no intention to work for the good of the towns and will play upon petty rumours that money and funds go to certain sections whilst ignoring others.

It is easy to attack the far-right. They are small-minded, ignorant and spineless. However, we must also look at how much apathy there is within our community towards local politicians. How many of our younger generation are actually interested in what goes in their local council?

Why when faced with the threat of the far-right do we continue in certain cases to attack each other without sitting down and formulising a common strategy? It is also a shame that there were more members of the non-Asian community out on the streets protesting against the far-right than there are of us.

There are those who say the far-right has gained from a protest votes and that this will change. But it will require the efforts of both communties to make sure that happens. We must continue to protray the message that we are ONE community.