BNP take seat on London Assembly

For the first time the BNP is represented on a "top tier" level of government. The regional assembly for London is the only one that is elected, all the others being quangos not wanted by the rest of England. So this Assembly allows for a proportional representation element and the BNP got above the 5% threshold. Richard Barnbrook, the mayoral candidate, will be the first BNP AM. He will be hoping this is no false dawn! One thing is for certain. I won't be around long enough to see a BNP PM if ever that eventful day should occur.

London Elects is the body that oversees this marathon adventure. The BBC was getting excited about turnout. Up to 45% - that's why the count took so long. "They were expecting a much lower figure!", they squeaked. Oh, really? So if it went to 60 or 70% would we be in the Zimbabwe realms of electoral counting? "A decision will be made at the end of next week. Will everyone stay calm, please!" Doesn't bear thinking about.

In the Top-up Vote, which is London-wide, the three main parties only got 72.39% of the vote between them. This means 27.61% voted for other parties. This is staggeringly high and shows that a proportional system will deplete the support for the supposed main players. On many occasions, we are told by politicians about opinion polls that the real poll is on the day. This day shows that the Conservatives are on 34.0%, Labour on 27.12%, and the Liberal Democrats on 11.22%. That poses the question - How can the Westminster system of election continue in a multi-party situation?

We have a failing Prime Minister in government on the "successful win" of his predecessor, who himself managed only to secure the support of 20% of the total electorate. The Labour Party has a large majority in the House of Commons, but little support in the country. The London Assembly has only a part elected by PR, but this London election shows that over a quarter of Londoners, in their hearts and minds, do not want the "three main parties".

Food for electoral thought!

Posted in: BNP,London Assembly,London Elects,proportional representation