Socialist Party Gains 2 Councillors

[audiotech]

Are there other examoples apart from Oldham where the actual number of BNP votes has been reduced?

An analysis of sorts from the last general election here.

 

[nightbreed]

I won't repeat articul8's points, which I think have dealt with most of the meat of this discussion, but it is worth pointing out that this last point above is spurious. It is quite obvious that having the backing of trade unions doesn't make a party into a workers party, as examples as wide ranging as the US Democrats and the old Liberal Party show. New Labour apologists on the left are therefore left arguing, as Fisher_Gate does above that having trade union affiliations is what makes New Labour different.

Nigel. I dont want to risk your wrath because I enjoy your posts.
I just wish to point out that it is not just affiliation that is important. In the LP the unions are affiliated AND have a constitutional say in policy ( even though this say is ignored)
If the SP is trying to build a new workers party on affiliation alone without considering what that affiliation represents in terms of members and what their say means then I think you dont understand the idea of a workers party.
Dont get me wrong, I am all for real working class representation. Lets just have an organisation connected with the workplaces because that is where the working class are.

 

[Nigel Irritable]

I actually sort of agree with that - it *would* be significant if the unions had a real say in the Labour Party as well as affiliation, but in my view they don't.

 

[JimPage]

(After a bit more thought...)

However it does seem that instances of the BNP actually losing votes in real terms are rare - a depressing thought.. Are there other examoples apart from Oldham where the actual number of BNP votes has been reduced?

Mutley

bexleyheath was one down form 3.8% to 2.9% other than that cant find any. looking at the 2001 and 2005 general elections as comparitors- and i think that is fair- other than oldham- in every seat they increased their vote from 2001 . the bbc vote 2005 website gives area by area vote increases.

their vote is on the up

its my view the best UAF can do is to reduce their vote by say 10%. of course there is a small impact in the antifascist leaflets- but in the long term it wont undercut their support enough.

 

[JimPage]

Mutley

a relevant by election result from yesterday which may focus peoples minds a bit - 16.7% for BNP- first time they have fought a seat in area.

Staffordshire Moorlands DC- Werrington Ward
Conservative, 265
Labour, 206
Lib Dem, 196
BNP, 162
Independent 83
Independant 34
UKIP 29