BNP takes 13% of vote in Horsham By-Election
dvd | 08.12.2006 22:33 | Anti-racism
In the By-Election for the Denne ward in Horsham, the BNP candidate Richard James Trower has taken nearly 13% of the vote, coming third after the Lib Dems and the Tories.
The election was called after the previous Lib Dem councillor resigned. Although they regained the seat, both they and the Tories lost some share (about 5% each, and about half the vote for labour) of their vote to fringe parties, most of this share going to the BNP. This 13% gain was despite a lack of campaigning or presence in Horsham, with only a report of a leaflet drop a few weeks beforehand. It also seemed there was some police presence at at least one of the polling stations in central Horsham.
As a result of this lack of major campaigning, and the fact that Richard James Trower normally stands in a ward in nearby Crawley, suggests that this was aimed as a test of the support they might recieve in Sussex. It could also have been part of their new initiative to present themselves as the other main party in elections, which unfortunately they have achieved in this election.
It seems Sussex may be the subject of a future campaign by the BNP, with reports of a '10 point plan for Sussex' being published and distributed.
See http://www.horsham.gov.uk/your_area/News/news_7233.asp for details of the vote.
As a result of this lack of major campaigning, and the fact that Richard James Trower normally stands in a ward in nearby Crawley, suggests that this was aimed as a test of the support they might recieve in Sussex. It could also have been part of their new initiative to present themselves as the other main party in elections, which unfortunately they have achieved in this election.
It seems Sussex may be the subject of a future campaign by the BNP, with reports of a '10 point plan for Sussex' being published and distributed.
See http://www.horsham.gov.uk/your_area/News/news_7233.asp for details of the vote.
dvd
Additions
2 other bnp results from Thursday 7th December........
09.12.2006 09:31
2 other bnp results from Thursday 7th December........
Conwy Kinmel Bay Ward- 13.2% beating Liberals
Southend West Shoebury - 17.9%, 2nd place- beating Labour and Liberal
steady as she goes for antifascism? more of the same antifascist tactics or review tactics?
Conwy Kinmel Bay Ward- 13.2% beating Liberals
Southend West Shoebury - 17.9%, 2nd place- beating Labour and Liberal
steady as she goes for antifascism? more of the same antifascist tactics or review tactics?
JimPage
Comments
Hide the following 9 comments
lack of campaigning??
09.12.2006 14:53
It says three different leaflets were delivered, presumably at different times otherwise it would be pointless, also "most of the ward was canvassed", this to me doesn't add up to a lack of canpaigning! Can't see why they would lie about this, better to say we did nothing and still got this vote.
Roy
UKIP site
09.12.2006 15:13
Just found this load of stuff on Horsham. If you want to know whats going on you've got to look on these fascist fringe sites.
http://www.democracyforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=15714&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0
roy
Statistics
10.12.2006 00:58
Mercury Kev
Drops rather than Canvassing
10.12.2006 11:58
Although it was only 171people who voted for them, this I think is more than the Lib dems' majority over the Tories, so in this seat is actually a significant number. It was also roughly the same turnout as previous elections, and so accurately represents the proportions for future elections.
dvd
UKIP site
10.12.2006 14:40
As I said read what's on the UKIP site link above, I think it's all balls about the police collecting up their literature. I too read that on some message board but I think it wishful thinking.
Roy
Horsham
10.12.2006 15:03
"I was very shocked that in such a Conservative area UKIP did not perform better. Our candiate has even been involved for 5 years on the committe for the new sports and social centre down the road. The BNP candidate comes from Crawley!
The BNP were very organised. They have a younger membership, delivered 4 leaflets with 15-20 people each weekend.
The BNP had the manpower to go door knocking and undertake proper campaigning.
The Horsham UKIP branch was only revived in September after it collapsed previously. It does however have 90-odd members and growing.
UKIP has a lack of committed manpower due to age of members and general lazyness!!!!!!! which i cannot stand.
I think in May we will see UKIP performing much better in wards where the BNP are not standing.
The interesting thing about yesterday was the 31.9% turnout. I can tell you that the parties were shi*ting themselves about the BNP! They made sure they turned their vote out and i think we lost quite a few 'on the fencers'."
Roy
limited sources of informationat my end!
10.12.2006 15:56
The fact that the UKIP people say that all the candidates were worried by the BNP presence is interesting, suggesting they know they're liekly ro make gains in future... perhaps this may well be a beginning to a larger initiative than expected.
I'll work on establishing some more reliable sources of information in Horsham/Sussex in future, sounds like it will be needed sooner rather than later.
dvd
BNP = Nu Labour
11.12.2006 22:32
Cassandra
New-fascist New-Labour hypocrites
13.12.2006 10:02
The only reason they don their 'UAF' vests and leaflet where the BNP stand is because they are worried not about fascism, but losing their positions on the councils and the expense claims that go with it, like a little club all for themselves!
It's high time we faced up this reality and make them choose, New-fascist New-Labour or not; not halfway between when it SUITS THEM!
ARTY