Vote for freedom. Vote for fairness. Vote for equality. Vote.

By Shamik Das

The polls are open in the European and Local Elections which could see Labour knocked into third or fourth place. But a far more serious prospect has also emerged. A Government in meltdown, a deeply unpopular Prime Minister, unprecedented public anger at the expenses scandal and allegations of corruption stalking the three main parties at every turn have all combined to instil the very real fear of a BNP victory in the European elections – the first ever success for a far-Right party in a UK parliamentary election.

Low turnout, a move away from the established parties, voters switching to fringe candidates in protest at the abuse of expenses from MPs on all sides and a general distrust of all politicians lie at the root of the projected UKIP/BNP advance.

The very idea that UKIP, two of whose 12 victorious MEPs from the 2004 Euros have faced criminal charges for falsely claiming benefits, false accounting and money laundering could reap the spoils of public fury at the expenses exposé is bad enough; the thought of the BNP, whose members are inextricably linked to terrorism, painting themselves as saints and benefiting electorally is beyond the pale.

And if you think UKIP is a viable option or vehicle from which to express discontent, well think again. Ask yourself why the BNP tried to make a deal with them, then watch last week’s edition of Question Time, specifically UKIP chief Nigel Farage’s psychotic, mentally unhinged tirade against immigration, and you’ll see for yourself the nasty bunch of Little Englanders they all are.

Worryingly, the electoral system used in Thursday’s elections make further UKIP gains an inevitability and BNP successes a distinct possibility. The proportion of votes the BNP needs to win seats to the European Parliament varies per region, depending on the number of seats available, from 7.5 per cent to win one of the South East’s ten seats, to 17 per cent to win in the North East, which has only three seats up for grabs – the fewest of any region.

The percentages required for a BNP Euro win and the number of seats allocated for each of the nine remaining regions of Great Britain are as follows: North West (8.5 per cent, 8 seats), Yorkshire & Humber (11.5%, 6), East Midlands (13%, 5), West Midlands (11.5%, 6), East (10%, 7), London (8.5%, 8), South West (11.5%, 6), Wales (16%, 4) and Scotland (11.5%, 6).

There is, of course, always a danger of exaggerating the threat and giving the racists undeserved publicity, but in this case the threat appears to be real, judging by recent council by-election results and the latest polling evidence, with North West England, Yorkshire and the Humber and both the East and West Midlands at greatest risk.

You may have lost faith with the three main parties, you’ll understandably be outraged by the activities of many MPs – I know I am – but now is not the time to sit on your hands or scrawl spoil your ballot paper, now more than ever it is essential to go down to the polling station and vote, not because you particularly like the Labour, Liberal or Tory parties, but because you absolutely, incontrovertibly and unashamedly despise the BNP and everything they stand for.

The more people that vote, the higher the turnout, the greater the number of votes required for the BNP to win a seat. It really is that simple; this really is an election in which every vote counts.

Use your vote today.

Vote for freedom. Vote for fairness. Vote for equality.