Cameron: BNP thrives on hatred

David Cameron has said he hopes the British National party (BNP) does not receive one single vote in the English local elections.

The far-right party "thrives on hatred" and holds "completely unacceptable" views, according to the Conservative leader.

Mr Cameron's comments come as an opinion poll suggests that the BNP may receive more votes than ever before in the elections on May 4th.

A poll in the Sunday Mirror suggests that 45.5 per cent of people in the London borough of Barking and Dagenham will vote BNP, as will seven per cent of Bradford residents.

"The BNP is a party that thrives on hatred, that wants to set one race against another," Mr Cameron told Sky News.

"I hope nobody votes for the BNP. I would rather people voted for any other party. I think they are completely unacceptable in their views and they thrive on hatred."

But Phil Edwards, the BNP's national press officer, said: "There is no hate at all in our policies, just fact.

"This proves, really, that the BNP is the only opposition party in this country."

If the survey result translates into real votes, many BNP candidates could find themselves sitting on Barking and Dagenham council.

In this situation, the BNP would be the official opposition to Labour in the borough.

Mr Cameron insisted he was making an effort to increase Tory presence in inner-city areas that were targeted by the BNP.