Seal fate of BNP

This helped offset the deep sense of apprehension I felt when the BNP's election leaflet came through my letterbox. The leaflet says: "Our own people will have preference in schooling, jobs and housing". However unlikely the event, I wonder how they would implement this if they were in power?

Would they copy the South African model and adopt a system of apartheid, based on skin colour? Or would they adopt the Nazi model and look at parentage to establish how English someone's heritage was? Or would it be similar to a system based on the deep south of the US where people designated as second class citizens would have to give up their seats in overcrowded buses to ones deemed more English?

I know the BNP will never get very far politically in Britain in the long term. Let's hope the size of their defeat in the polls this time will seal their fate sooner rather than later.

Seggy T Segaran,

Holgate Road,

York.

...I'm sure many or most of us sympathise with Dr Duncan Campbell (Letters, June 1) in his disillusion with mainstream party politics.

He is correct in that the few places where fascist extremists have won council seats it's not down to a surge in their support, rather because the majority who used to vote Labour or Conservative have stayed at home.

That is precisely why it is a terrible mistake not to vote. "Vote to keep out the BNP" may be a convenient message for the mainstream parties, but it happens to be true.

There are a whole range of democratic parties of widely varying views on the ballot paper, and all are preferable to the BNP who bring racism, bigotry and violence wherever they organise.

We urge Dr Campbell and all disillusioned democrats to grit their teeth and use their vote. Otherwise who may end up 'representing' you?

Ben Drake,

York Unity (Unite Against Fascism),

Danum Road, York.

...I was intrigued by Janet Kitchen's worries about the possible breach of confidentiality of voters as a result of postal voting (Letters, May 26).

For years at ordinary polling stations your anonymity to vote never existed and here is how I know.

Everyone receives an "official poll card". On it in the upper left corner there is a 'number on register' ie, AB/123. You either took your card with you or you memorised the number. At the Polling Station you approached a desk where, generally, two people were on duty to receive you and take your card number.

The number was then checked against an official master list and duly ticked off. Next you were given a voting slip, and there is another number/letter on the top right hand side, ie, CD 456, this number of the voting slip was entered in the official master list alongside your other 'number on register'. From there you took your voting slip to a voting booth, checking that no one was able to see you place your "X". Why care? Those numbers/letters can tell who you are.

The political parties are informed after each polling day of who voted for which party, either by a copy of the voting lists or by the voting slips/register sheet going to each party after they are sorted out for counts. Why do you think it is so rare to see a Conservative campaign leaflet going to an avid Labour supporter or vice versa?

Kevin Horner,

Albemarle Road, York.

...IN reply to Eddie Vee's letter (June 1) on behalf of the Official Monster Raving Loony Party about the European elections. I have worked in a bank, a solicitors's office and for an estate agent.

The major problem I have is that I cannot find envelope B to vote by post.

Does he know where I have put it?

Sorry, must dash, a large man in a white coat has just appeared. Apparently he wants to take me away for further treatment. Byeee.

Neil Jones,

Aldborough Way, York.

Updated: 10:13 Thursday, June 03, 2004