British National Party candidate wins place on council

An unopposed British National Party (BNP) candidate has won a place on a town council famed for being “non-political”.

Michael Simpkins’ seat in Corsham, Wiltshire, was secured without the need for votes in this Thursday’s local election.

The 47-year-old father of two was the only applicant for the town’s Rudloe ward.

His unchallenged election was described as disturbing by anti-racism campaigners.

It also sparked warnings today about political apathy in minor council elections.

Mr Simpkins, a taxi driver, said: “I’m very pleased. I’m looking forward to being on the council.”

David Martin, Corsham’s town clerk, said: “We are a non-political council so this probably will not have much of an affect on us.”

Party politics is banned in Corsham’s chamber. Only administrative matters are discussed by the 20 councillors.

James Gray, Conservative MP for North Wiltshire, said Mr Simpkins’ unopposed election was unfortunate, but an unsurprising consequence of “candidate apathy”, which affects town councils across the country.

“The problem with town council elections almost everywhere is that they do not get enough candidates to fill the vacancies,” he said.

Mr Gray said he believed the BNP’s four candidates for North Wiltshire District Council, including Mr Simpkins, would be soundly defeated on Thursday.

The BNP has been targeting Corsham by conducting community safety patrols, informing police of criminal damage and anti-social behaviour.

Mr Simpkins said this seemed to be winning support from some of the town’s 12,000 residents.

Ann Limb, chairman of Anne Frank Trust UK, an anti-Nazi group promoting tolerance, said of Mr Simpkins’ election: “This is disturbing because it is a reflection on people’s reluctance to engage in the political process. People who silently colluded (in Nazi Germany) are an example of what you can do if you do not engage with the political process.

“We are gravely concerned about anything which seeks to promote bigotry, prejudice or intolerance.”

Mr Simpkins said he and his party were not racist, adding: “We do not hate anybody from other races. But we live on a very small island and its getting full, and it’s not racist to say that.”

Two other BNP candidates are also standing for Corsham council, two for nearby Calne town council and four the district council.