The story so far

posted by: Nick L | on: Friday, 2 May 2008, 03:01

The BNP has taken eight seats so far. These include two each in Nuneaton & Bedworth, Amber Valley and Rotherham, and one in Pendle and Thurrock. However, this is still short of what they would need to meet their own prediction of 40 gains and in many years they failed to win seats they expected.

They failed to win any seats in the Black Country boroughs of Dudley, Walsall and Sandwell. There were also no gains across the entire North East, Oldham and Broxbourne, a council where they held a seat until last year.

The BBC is also reporting that the BNP's average vote is down on 2004, with it now being 11% in the wards they contested in both years.

Tomorrow they will be counting in Stoke-on-Trent, Burnley, Epping and across West Yorkshire and while they are bound to win several more seats they will probably still fall well short of their target of 40. Counting will also take place in London and BNP gains here will not only usurp the small gains made across the country tonight but also act as a guide for next year's European Elections.

I think that's it for me for tonight. There is going to be a long day ahead of us so it's best to get some rest. Thanks to everyone who has sent me results, gossip and, in some cases, just kept me amused during these early hours.