BNP leader sees drop in support
BNP leader Nick Griffin spent election night in Swansea supporting his regional and constituency candidates.
However, he was left disappointed when none of the candidates was voted on to the Assembly and the party failed to secure any regional seats.
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Mr Griffin, who only intended to stay at the count in the LC for an hour or two, was there until just before sunrise.
The far-right party leader had been campaigning in South Wales all week and before the results were announced he said he was feeling positive.
He said he believed the party had a "realistic chance" especially with the regional list, but also said he was surprised by the shift in public opinion and hoped that "translated into votes".
Mr Griffin said: "I've been campaigning in South Wales and we've had a great response."
Mr Griffin was confident of having one seat in the Assembly and said people were fed up and angry with a number of national issues including immigration and the "money given to foreign banks".
He also said people in Wales were realising the BNP was not just an "English party".
However, Swansea East candidate Joanne Shannon came bottom in the constituency votes with 1,102.
On the night Mr Griffin said he believed the BNP vote had dropped.
Following the Swansea East constituency announcement he said: "It's disappointing. We have a solid vote here.
"Last time some of our votes were in protest against Labour.
"Now they are in opposition people have forgotten quite rapidly what a disaster they were," he said.
4 Comments
by Bernard, England
Saturday, May 07 2011, 11:24PM
“I cannot understand how people could not agree with the BNP on most of their policies.Maybe you all like being dominated by foreigners,or are just weak minded people,brainwashed by the media.”
by meirion, Swansea
Saturday, May 07 2011, 5:42PM
“All that will happen is that Nick Griffin will be toppled and the B.N.P re branded. There has been a power struggle at the top of the B.N.P for a while now and this will put Nick out and a new nastier leader will be chosen.”
by Steve, Mayals, Swansea
Saturday, May 07 2011, 2:09PM
“Usually extremist parties mobilize their supporters more effectively than main stream, moderate ones. Therefore, we can conclude with some degree of accuracy that the 1,000 plus votes that the BNP candidate received is the sum total of their support in Swansea East. I hope that this sends a clear message to Nick Griffin and his party that there is no interest in hate driven policies in this part of the UK.
While many people harbour reservations about the immigration policies of the former government, we need wisdom to examine the issue from all angles and to deal with it in an open and democratic way. In no way should we support policies that are based on racial intolerance and hatred. Such ideologies merely serve to drive a stake into the heart of established communities and create social unrest. Limit immigration by all means, but not through divisive means.
The BNP has received a resounding defeat in Swansea. I hope that they at least have the dignity to accept the result and to leave with dignity.”
by Carl, Clydach
Saturday, May 07 2011, 10:33AM
“This cant be true, according to the far left thugs the electorate are too stupid to beat people like the BNP via the ballot system, and we need to use good old fashioned violence against them (and anyone who should happen to be walking anywhere near one of their meetings).
Maybe now the BNP are put in their place, we can get rid of the other troublemakers that follow them around 'protesting'”