From the postbag: the BNP

We get all sorts of mail here at Westmonster. Penis extensions, Viagra, Nigerian cashflow scams, a recent flurry around the Flying Lion saga (of which maybe more another day). But fine was the day when we received a note from that august body, the British National Party, purveyors of rancid prejudice and unkeepable promises to the lagered-up of Britain's former industrial heartlands.

So, thank you, Councillor Robert Bailey, for the offer to write a post about the BNP's London mayoral candidate Richard Barnbrook. We thought we should post this bit in full.

Richard was born in Catford on 24 February 1961 and has spent much of his adult life working in the capital. He has recently become engaged to Simone Clarke, lead dancer for the English National Ballet and proud member of the British National Party.

"Since graduating from the Royal Academy of Art in 1985 I have been deeply involved with the theme of Landscape in Art and have achieved an international reputation for my work on both a large and small scale.
I have exhibited and lectured extensively throughout the world and lived in the United States, Thailand, France and Germany and in doing so have gained good understanding of other cultures.

Over the last seven years I have also taught art, focusing on schools with a high percentage of students with special needs. I also began my own freelance design company, which broadened into an environmental charity with strong roots in English culture.