Originally Posted by Kentishman

This is because the English Democrats consistently beat UKIP when the two parties stand against each other.

Originally Posted by MAZZINI

'Back the only party that can save the nation and let them win the 2 seats, or possibly more. Surely you can see the logic now ?'

Apart from vanity, delusion or policy differences one cannot expect parties to stand down to give their so-called 'nationalist' rivals an easy ride. Firstly, the nationalist strains in this country follow the 'three traditions' i.e. Labour, Tory, Liberal.

Within these traditions there are nationalist alternatives:

1. Labour = BNP = English First

2. Conservative = UKIP = ED

3. Liberalism = National Liberals = Libertarian Party?

The above is not exhaustive but representative. It is of course complicated by the Unionist Vs English issue but there is still a division. Of course some parties try to be cross-tradition, particularly upon inception but you will find the more succesful ones follow or get sucked into the tradition(s). The BNP for example would like to say it was a classless party but its most significant support is in W-C areas (inevitably Labour strongholds) which in turn becomes reflected in their propganda, recruits etc.

Without boring everyone with a deeper analysis, suffice to say that UKIP members by and large have little in common with the BNP socially or politically. They do share emotional bonds of national identity (the ethno/civic debate withstanding) but it is not enough to overcome other differences.

Secondly, their respective voters do switch (less political) but not as much as was originally thought (a lot more research needs to done here). Standing down may not 'gift' as many votes to the respective traditions as suggested.

I can only see co-operation occuring once/if the various 'nationalist' parties first seek to concentrate and build support within their 'own' traditions. Once that is achieved (including councillors etc within those traditions 'strongholds') those parties can look at electoral accomodations.

As an aside, one first step might be co-operation on national issues i.e. via campaigning bodies such as the Solidarity Trade Union where there is an attempt to drop the party partisanships. Wether it can work we shall see but i could envisage an anti-EU campaign soliciting all party support (but only if the parties were openly invited at inception). Food for thought.

Originally Posted by MAZZINI

Firstly, there is no psssibility of any so-called 'Nationalist' unity due to social, political and personal differences.

Secondly, there is room for co-operation between such parties within campaigning groups (such as the CIB once did succesfully) and ultimately electorally.

Before those parties are confident enough of their own position/policies/ideology to work with others they should concentrate on building up support amongst the areas most receptive to their views i.e. it is pointless for the EDP to spend as much effort in inner-London as in say the Home-Counties or UKIP in W-C districts as apart from the shires. Attempting to be all things to all men will ultimately lead to failure.