The entirely foolish thing would be for us to believe that the policies of the BNP are only supported by football hooligans and social outcasts. A lot of people vote BNP today simply because Cameron's Tories have abandoned the people within their own ranks who would consider Griffin's worldview by and large perfectly resonable. We can't pretend those people do not exist or simply demonise them as some kind of political underclass.

We are not talking about a sudden rush of new converts to fascism magnetised by the newly minted charms of the BNP. These are not people who just saw the light from the far right. We have to take on board that many of our fellow Britons voted BNP because they are long term adherents to a set of policies that were once meat and drink to many rank and file Tories. Hence the strange silence from Cameron this week. He knows his own people. He can't piss them off more than he has already. On the other hand he can't throw his hat in Griffins ring and compete for the far right voter either. Tricky times for Dave and his power hungry chums.

Thing is since Thatcher's passing as PM we've forgotten what a real right wing Tory looks like.

So instead of wringing their hands what the Lib Dems and Labour should be doing is celebrating the fact that the BNP *only* got 1m votes in this economic and social climate. Surely it is to this country's great credit that we have such a small percentage of voters actively seeking a solution from a far right party when compared with much of the rest of Europe? Especially when the Tories are drifting to the centre. That's the point I wanted the other panelists to make but somehow they managed to drop the ball.

And don't think that Labour aren't wondering whether a strong far right vote might let Labout hang on to some seats they would otherwise lose to Cameron.