BNP in disarray in Stoke

posted by: Nick Lowles | on: Friday, 15 January 2010, 11:27

Who’s smiling now? Alby Walker and Nick Griffin

Over the past few days we have had to redraw our election plans in light of Simon Darby's decision to contest the Stoke Central seat in the general election. Suddenly, it appeared, the BNP could seriously challenge for a second parliamentary seat. While we had always kneown Stoke-on-Trent would be a vital battleground, we had largely been looking at the threat on the council where the BNP could become the largest single party after May. Darby's decision, with the support of Alby Walker, a popular local BNP councillor who until recently led the party's group on the council, was a game changer. With internal problems hampering the local Labour Party there was a real chance of a BNP gain.

However, Darby's plans have been thrown into chaos with the announcement, this morning, that Walker might well stand against him as an independent. This is a bitter blow to Darby and one that he certainly wasn't expecting. It is all the more embarrassing for the BNP as they were launching their campaign in the city today.

However, a note of caution is appropriate. While a Walker candidature will certainly damage Darby there is no certainty that Walker will stand. I can imagine Walker's phone glowing red hot this morning with Darby and Griffin begging him to change his mind. It is also clear that the profile Darby's campaign is likely to attain will help the BNP across the city and there remains a real danger that the BNP will still end up the largest single party on the council after May.

While we can enjoy the fallout within Stoke-on-Trent BNP, we will continue to build our campaign in the city regardless.