Local elections sweep parts of the country today and it's fair to say that some people are a little nervous. Labour are certainly worried that losing people may result in lost votes, or indeed if any of the ever growing list of scandals will hurt the party. Others are worried that the BNP are thriving. And yet more just worry that anyone elected will be just like everyone else who gets elected.

Personally I find the upsurge in support for the BNP the most interesting aspect, largely because their support is coming from areas we've not seen before. When Labour strongholds worry about them there's a definite sign that times are changing. No longer is it just the traditional right supporting the party but also the traditional left. Not that they are alone, UKIP are predicting similar swings too.

So the question must be asked, what has inspired this swing? In my eyes the main culprits are the Labour Party themselves. Although less overtly than some they've pandered to the anti-immigration motto that every foreigner is a bogus asylum seeker using state benefits to fund their life of crime and terrorism. Now they're seeing that their traditional supporters have followed them. As Labour have moved more to the right the Lib Dems became the obvious left vote, but much of their traditional base has always had a right-wing mentality - voting Labour more out of a sense of obligation. By moving the party right the party has legitimised the right-wing vote.

Unfortunately for Labour their problem is less that they've moved right and more that they haven't moved right enough. By pandering to this growing sentiment they've only fuelled it, validating the opinions of many. They've driven their heartlands further right than they can comfortably go at the moment and are watching their supporters keep on walking right into UKIP and BNP hands.

Of course the Tories have also pushed people to both parties by moving left. Unfortunately as a number of their disillusioned traditionalists simply won't vote labour they've seen UKIP as their primary shelter. And indeed UKIP themselves push people towards the BNP. When the Tories didn't move far enough left the only way to make an impact was to be further right, another move which validated the right and allowed people a gentle transition from mainstream politics to the single issue of foreigners. Once you're there the jump to the BNP isn't that far.

But the BNP do deserve credit for their efforts too. They've managed to re-image themselves in a much more respectable form. Realising there was an opportunity they've cleaned themselves up. They've actually worked on policy beyond immigration. Many of their candidates are women to present a softer and more caring front. By polishing themselves up they've become the perfect landing ground for a vast number of disillusioned voters trying desperately to find a party to support.

Labour may be worried about the grounds the BNP look set to make today and for a good reason. Far more than anyone else they've made the BNP a legitimate party.