Voting begins in BNP election

VOTING stared this morning in an election where the British National Party is standing for the first time in Suffolk.

Paul Goodchild is standing for the party in the election, which follows the death of conservative councillor Peter Wragg.

A committee was formed in the run-up to the election aimed at getting as many people as possible out to vote in a bid to minimise the risk of a BNP candidate being elected on to Suffolk Coastal.

Tellers at Yoxford polling station today reported an "early flurry" of voters when the doors opened at 8am, and more when mums turned out after dropping off children at the nearby village school.

Liberal Democrat teller Jill Vintner said: "We are expecting a very high turnout today and that's what we have been urging people to do - use their vote.

"We don't expect people to rush to vote but are expecting a steady number all day and probably a lot more this evening after people leave work.

"It's been a very high profile election campaign because of the BNP candidate and heightened awareness in the village. There has been a lot of interest and we are waiting to see how people react."

Many voters said they had definitely been inspired to vote because of the BNP candidate.

One woman brought three friends who normally don't vote in local elections.

"I think it's really important that we vote today and make our point at the ballot box," she said.

"I have got a number of my friends to vote and I think there will be a huge turnout".

In the last election there was a 38 per cent turnout with more than 800 people in the ward voting.

The candidates today are Warwick Faville, Conservative; Paul Goodchild, BNP; John Slater, Liberal Democrat; and Timothy Williams, Labour.

The ward includes not only Yoxford but also the beauty spot Dunwich, Darsham, Middleton and Westleton.

Polling stations were due to remain open until 9pm.