When asked to describe the BNP, it is a fairly safe bet that the response given will be 'far right'. They're racist, afterall; their agenda is a discriminatory one favouring those of indigenous white heritage. Those who fail to meet these specifications are forbidden from joining the party and, should the BNP be elected to govern the country, people who do not fall into this narrow social band will be asked to voluntarily repatriate (how considerate...). On the surface, the party does seem to be espousing views that are typical of the far right wing. The 'right wing' tag is ascribed to the BNP in such a broad way that it may at the same time tar the moderate right with the same brush. In the popular psyche, right wing comes to represent the worst of political opinion - an attack on all that is not 'British', and an ideology that can not possibly accommodate notions of diversity.

But it is important that the record is set straight on this matter.

The BNP is left wing, plain and simple. It advocates a brand of socialism within the context of a republic Britain. Social housing and tax relief are high on its agenda, making it a particularly attractive proposition for the working class. Indeed, in areas in which the BNP has made significant gains (such as Luton and Dagenham), it is traditionally Labour seats that have been challenged. I propose an alternative to the currently accepted view. The BNP, rather than being 'far right', are simply racist left-wingers. Racism is not confined to one end of the political spectrum; socialism does not abolish derogation along ethnic or class lines. What we have in the BNP is Labour of 1983 with an underlying racist agenda. To define the BNP as right wing is a completely unfounded assertion, and I am sick to the back teeth of hearing those on the Left gloat that a vote for Labour is a vote against the 'far right'.

There is, however, a far scarier proposition to consider.

It is no secret that the Labour Party is in dire financial straits - the party is struggling to meet loan interest payments stretching into the millions, whilst fundraising events have failed to make a dent in the money owed. Add to this the threat of a funding withdrawal from unions such as UNITE, and the United Kingdom must prepare for the significant possibility of a diminished role for Labour in the party politics of this country. This is significant; when Labour underachieve, the BNP vote rises.

Without a stable left wing alternative, I predict that the BNP fan club would soar to stratospheric levels. The BNP are Labour's UKIP - a pressure group keeping tabs on the party's line in certain areas. The core Labour vote are attracted by promises of social provision, public service development and schemes that favour the working man. It is areas in which Labour are seen to shun these responsibilities that we see a rise in the BNP vote.

It is both for my sanity and the reasons stated above that I feel we must begin seeing the BNP for what they really are: a racist, far Left body. If we fail to make this distinction as a country, we will face significant problems in the event of a Labour collapse. Parties on all sides of parliament must begin to treat the BNP as a party looking to mobilise voters who have lost faith in the party they used to believe in, and in the BNP they have found a party firmly committed to these ideals. A party that will never renege on its duties of servitude to the blue collar classes, and for whom a racist agenda is not perceived as such, but as a drive to look out for the ordinary man's interests.

The threat is real, and it is something that must be realised soon.