StGeorge

Matt, I think thats where the problem with UKIP lies in that it should be in a better position but it isn't. Local politics may seem irrelevant but it is at community level where smaller parties can gradually build up from, it is here you meet the voters and get them involved in changing through the ballot box the people currently in charge.

The issue is that the BNP are a much smaller party and are punching above their weight, there's no reason why UKIP as a larger and more financially secure party can't exceed the BNP and that IMO is seen as a failure within UKIP and leads to the comments.

I notice between the ukip, green and left list mayoral candidates on the new bbc news channel, the latter two didn't mention the BNP in a joint interview they did live. Gerrard however before the interview ended made a desperate appeal to viewers not to vote BNP and that they were a party of neo-nazis.

Time will tell in regards to whether in future years, changes within the BNP will move it forward. If indeed despite it punching its weight, it is still being held back or its success starts to decline.