The National Front surged ahead of UKIP and the BNP last night, following a televised debate in Burnley.Capitalizing upon a below par performance from a tearful and unconvincing Nick Griffin, and a decidedly erratic Lord Pearson of Rannoch, British National Front leader Ian Edward produced an 'unexpectedly searing performance'. Analysts have compared his performance to that of Nick Clegg. 'Edward resonated with a cool confidence that never veered into arrogance', wrote a journalist from the Burnley Express. 'He stood straight-backed, hands in his smock, and was the only one to look right into the camera after taking off his hood'.
A straw poll taken at a gathering following the debate indicated a massive swing towards the National Front, who had hitherto been considered less a political force more a group for hobbyists. Yougov expects to carry out a more thorough survey after its representatives were chased off for 'ruining the atmosphere of the lynching'.