A NORTH-EAST activist who has taken over as leader of the British National Party says he aims to convert the group’s support in to electoral success.

Adam Walker, of Spennymoor, in County Durham, plans to turn the BNP into a major political force.

In his first statement since he succeeded Nick Griffin as leader of the party, the former teacher claimed that the right wing group has a core of loyal voters.

He said: “The BNP enjoys huge support from the British public and it’s my principal aim to convert that huge support into votes and real electoral success.

“Nationalism is about promoting the interests of the people.

“My primary focus is reconnecting the BNP with the ordinary person in the street. That means that any extremist language or dogma is unwelcome.

“The people are always right, and I want to build a popular and genuine nationalist alternative to the rotten old political parties without compromising any of our core BNP principles.”

Mr Walker has been the BNP’s national organiser in recent years where he led street protests and he is a former president of the nationalist Solidarity Trade Union.

He said: “My leadership style is likely to be very different from that of my predecessor because we are very different people.

“I’ll be pleased to listen to Nick’s views alongside all the activists and supporters of the BNP. Having taken those views into account I will make my own mind up and my own decisions.

“I will be drawing on the energy and passion of all our members and supporters to assist me in my work.”