So just who was Michael Howard trying to appeal to with his odious blackshirtery this afternoon?

One statistic that’s been bandied about in the last few days (as recently as the PM show on Radio 4 this evening) is that one in three people (read: bigots) are concerned/worried about the issue of asylum.

So generously taking this statistic at face value, that’s a third of the electorate getting steamed up about foreigners. That’s leaves two thirds who just don’t care or know the facts and aren’t worried.

In the News of the World survey on January 16, the support for the Tories in the UK’s 120 most marginal seats is 32%. Which fits quite neatly with the one in three concerned about asylum - Howard’s preaching to the converted. He’s shoring up his core vote.

Those people who read the facts about asylum seekers and immigration aren’t worried about these twin bogeymen. Daily Mail readers, Tory voters (and let’s face it, quite a few johnny-come-lately New Labour voters) and other ignoramuses who would rather be told how to think are worried about a mythical tide of filthy foreigners who want to bleed the welfare system dry and give us all AIDS.

There is also the chance that this rancid little piece of button-pushing might well backfire. It may have the unintended consequence of galvanising the lacklustre Labour vote that the New Labour high command are reportedly so worried might stay at home on polling day. Disillusioned Labour voters might drag themselves out, hold their noses and vote to keep Howard and his morally bankrupt little crew out of power.

It’s not much of a choice and a worse reason to vote Labour - because they’re slightly less evil than the Tories - I have yet to hear. Labour might spoil it all when they announce their own asylum policy but after Howard’s display today I might just have to change my plans and get out of bed on polling day after all.