Yes-it was the observation that C2s are moving to the Tories which set me thinking about the source of BNP’s support-which I thought might be from the same group.

I agree that there is a conspiracy of silence about BNP, and I think there will be some shock gains by them in the areas where people feel abandoned by the main parties.

I don’t know about the polling evidence, but I get the impression that the BNP get their support from all along the class spectrum, but mostly from the C2DE end. That is purely based on my observation that they tend to gain from Labour mostly – and C2DE tends to be more Labour supporting.

Of course I cannot back up what I am saying (I possibly could but right now I am too lazy). Another possible reason why they gain from Labour most is that Labour support tends to be concentrated in urban areas, and the issues which the BNP address are most keenly felt in urban areas.

It would be interesting to have analysis of voter intention for the “others” including the BNP. Perhaps we will get that in the run-up to the council elections in June, where they will surely be a force to be reckoned with.

I think that the BNP will be a party that will do better in elections than in the polls, as a lot of people who would vote BNP would perhaps not admit it. I certainly know people who vote BNP, who do not admit it to many people, but tell me in hushed tones, as they know I am open-minded (I am not a BNP supporter). I find this quite comical, but on the other hand it does highlight the serious issue that the BNP are really marginalised by the media, without any discussion of their views, they are simply branded as “racist” and ignored. But I think the main parties will increasingly have to engage with the concerns of people who are inclined to start voting BNP.