Brit Raffers: Tell me about the BNP

[WednesdayAddams]

And why this is news. I take it BNP stands for British National Party? Opinion appears to be split in the comments; either they're racist fascist asshats or a party of Brits looking out for the best interest of the British nationals. Either way (and I'm trending toward the former the more I read), does the Equality and Human Rights Committee foresee a huge influx in minority BNP membership? How much would it affect British politics were the BNP to simply disappear because they refuse to comply? How mainstream are they? And how many parties exist as viable on the British political landscape? What does this do for the upcoming elections, where it's said that the Conservative party is set to take control from Labour?

Help educate me.