BNP takes council seat
By politics.co.uk staff
The British National party (BNP) has taken its first south-east England council seat outside London, winning a traditionally Labour seat in Sevenoaks, Kent.
BNP candidate Paul Golding beat Labour’s Mike Hogg in Swanley St Mary’s.
The BNP took 408 votes to Labour’s 332. The Tories took 247.
The win came as part of a host of advances for the extremist party. There were no other victories, but it came in third in Thringstone in north-west Leicestershire, with Labour managing to retain the seat.
Results
Harrogate Borough – Bilton: Lib Dem 902, C 673, BNP 164, Lab 51. (May 2007 – Lib Dem 974, C 877, BNP 122). Lib Dem gain from Ind. Swing 3.9 per cent C to Lib Dem.
Lewisham London Borough – Downham: Two seats Lib Dem 1075, 1067, Lab 655, C 654, Lab 635, C 632, BNP 287, Green 63, 62. (May 2006 – Three seats Lib Dem 1130, 1117, 1106, Lab 590, 586, 554, C 403, 330, 326, Green 153, 149, 137). Lib Dem hold two seats. Swing 4.5 per cent Lib Dem to Lab.
North West Leicestershire District – Thringstone: Lab 593, C 520, BNP 465, Lib Dem 76. (May 2007 – Two seats Lab 634, 564, C 501, 376, Lib Dem 355, 331). Lab hold. Swing 3.5 per cent Lab to C.
Sevenoaks District – Swanley St Mary’s: BNP 408, Lab 332, C 247. (May 2007 – Two seats Lab 462, 420, C 208, 197, Ukip 165). BNP gain from Lab. Swing 10.5 per cent Lab to C.
