Old Warley -- BNP loses again

| Sunday, 28 November 2004 Source: Searchlight

The BNP lost yet another council by-election in an area where they had high hopes of victory. Despite putting up the prominent BNP officer Simon Smith as the candidate, the party only took 16% in the Old Warley ward of Sandwell on 25 November, coming third out of four. Voters clearly thought one BNP councillor in Sandwell was quite enough.

The BNP had been talking up its prospects but behind the scenes the party election officers knew they had a very low calibre of canvassers. To try to overcome this they bussed in people from the Northwest and Yorkshire and in a final desperate attempt even imported activists from London and Essex.

This was their third successive defeat since the Goresbrook victory but anti-fascists should not become complacent. The BNP is now gearing up for the general election and will fight council by-elections not only to try to win seats but also to highlight its presence in an area.

Results – Old Warley, 7 October 2004

Turnout 29%