Despite the high winds, far from tropical temperatures and torrential rain, a demo took place outside the count for the second Skerton West by-election in six months - this one unnecessarily called by the British National Party candidate, Chris Hill, who no doubt expected to build on what little support he got last time, but was still firmly trounced into third place despite a dreadfully low turnout and the presence of an Independent candidate. The results are below:

Total votes cast 834
Turnout 17.5%

James Airey (Conservative) 172
Norman Gardner (Independent) 76
Chris Hill (BNP) 93
Karen Leytham (Labour) 493 (Elected)

Hill's lacklustre performance is partly a direct result of his campaigning, which was pretty weak by any standards. He appeared to have little or no support on the ground, couldn't be bothered to attend when the postal votes were sorted and appeared to attend the count alone. That, and the fact that his leaflet seemed more about attacking us than stating policies, doubtless contributed to his percentage of the vote dropping from 16% to 11%.

Still, whatever the reason, that's what we like to see - a healthily diminishing BNP vote. Exactly right for a city that has long enjoyed its multiculturalism and has no welcome for those who wish to divide our community.

No doubt some of his vote disappeared in annoyance at the cost of this additional by-election - a complete waste of a few thousand quid in our opinion (we'd love to know exactly how much so we can use it on our next anti-BNP leaflet). The other two councillors in the ward would have been perfectly competent to pick up the slack for the final six months of the council cycle following the death of Labour's Jean Jones, and should have been allowed to, thus saving council tax payers the cost and inconvenience caused by Hill and his pseudo-political party.

And what a party! Here in Lancaster we have Chris Hill frivolously wasting thousands and over at Calderdale there's Richard Mulhall thieving thousands. It's no wonder the BNP is generally regarded as a bad joke.

Anyway, enough of the riff-raff. Our congratulations to the winner and many thanks from Lancaster UAF to everybody who leafletted, demonstrated or participated in any way in this campaign against the fascist BNP. You did great and we hope you dry out soon.