MP SHAHID Malik has warned that voters must turn out to stop English counties becoming a "laughing stock" in Europe.
The Justice Minister is worried that the BNP could "sneak in" at the European Parliament elections on June 4 because of the nature of the voting system. European Parliament seats are awarded by proportional representation on a regional basis and Mr M
alik is worried that his county could well be represented by the BNP.
The number of seats each party wins is calculated according to the share of the vote that party achieves in each region.
Labour campaigners fear that the BNP may only need to pick up as little as 11 per cent of the vote to win a seat.
The party received eight per cent of the vote in the 2004 European elections.
Mr Malik said: "We cannot afford to under estimate the threat of the BNP. Because of the nature of the voting system for European elections, there is always a possibility that a minority party can gain a seat.
"Across the country there is the possibility that the BNP could sneak through because of the election system for the Euros. My message is clear – every vote will count and people must come out and support mainstream political parties otherwise we will be a laughing stock in Europe."
Mr Malik fears the BNP will capitalise on the uncertainty voters face during the recession and benefit from an expected low turn out and drop in support for the UK Independence Party.
