BNP’s Griffin crashes out against Margaret Hodge
BRITISH National Party leader Nick Griffin conceded defeat earlier today in his Barking election battle against Labour veteran Margaret Hodge, who said the seat had sent a resounding message to the far-right to “get out and stay out”.
Griffin secured just 14.6 per cent of the vote, against Hodge’s majority 54.3 per cent share – pushing the head of the BNP into third place in the east London constituency behind Simon Marcus of the Conservative party with 17.8 per cent of the vote.
Barking, with its predominantly white, middle class demographic, has never been won by any party other than Labour since it was created in 1945.
Hodge, the culture and tourism minister, said: “The lesson from Barking to the BNP is clear: Get out and stay out, you’re not wanted here and your vile politics have no place in British democracy. Pack your bags and go.”