Yep. If 5% of the population voted BNP, they should be represented in parliament proportionately. I believe when they polled 5% of the vote a couple of elections ago, I said as much.

The problem really stems from the fact that we preclude so many smaller political influences from parliament, that more 'militant means' become the means by which they participate in politics.

I would say the statement is true of activists....You tend to get more activists on the left than right but it's not an exclusive problem. Most activists are unpleasant pains in the arse.....A little harsh I know but I find as a generalised rule it rarely fails.

However it's not really an excuse to make silly mass exaggerations about Ukip voters.

Believing in border controls is not hating foreigners....I had genuinely thought the argument had moved on from there.

The article stipulates that there are (obviously) exceptions to the rule. So you've proven nothing other than that you're a bit of a tit and not very funny.

In a short defence of Abbott, if you actually knew anything about her you'd know that your statement is nothing other than mud slinging based on mistakes in a couple of interviews. If you actually knew anything about her background and record over the last 30+ years you'd think differently. Her constituents clearly see the work that she's done and rewarded her again this year with huge numbers of votes and huge majority.

The attacks on Abbott on here and in the wider press have been nothing short of shameful. She's held to a much higher standard than other politicians simply because she's black and a woman. Theresa May had a far worse campaign and even lied about making u-turns, and while she has subsequently come under attack for her failures she's not been subject to the level of abuse that Abbott has. The reaction and scepticism surrounding her illness is another example of people, especially in the press, giving Abbott a much harder time than other politicians.

You wouldn't call me a tit to my face so don't do it on a keyboard sweetheart.

As for Abbott being re-elected, thats not hard. The population of Hackney would vote in a chimp if it was wearing a red rosette. Very intelligent.

Well I thought if I set it up, somebody might knock it in.

But she's not woeful and has represented her constituency very well for 30 years.

I didn't say that was the sole reason for critique, I said that it was why she's given an unfair ride when she does make mistakes relative to other politicians.

She's been a trail blazer no doubt but this is largely overlooked and instead she's derided for her mistakes, which are no worse than some and far more excusable than many. She certainly deserves criticism for some things she's said and done but to say she's unintelligent is wrong and to give her the abuse she is getting is wrong.