There's no room for complacency over the defeat of the British National Party candidate in last week's by-election.

The fact is that 1,216 people in our midst exercised their democratic right and voted for the BNP, which makes no secret of its far-right beliefs. That figure is likely to be reflected in one way or another in the district council elections next month.

What is also for certain is that there's a goodly number of other people who would never vote for the BNP, but who are deeply and rightly concerned about a number of issues.

The question must be asked -- why? What has happened to lead to such a situation where decent ordinary people are swayed by extremist's claims?

Close to the top of the list of their questions -- and this can be verified through correspondence with this newspaper -- is when, if ever, is there going to be genuine community integration?

For many years a number of good solid souls from all walks of life, race, colour and creed, have put their hearts and souls into binding the communities together.

A great deal has been achieved and Keighley has every right to be proud of what it has done -- but there's a general perception that all we really have accomplished is two mainstream communities simply living side by side.

Whether that over simplified picture is right or wrong is to some extent irrelevant. What is relevant is that there are issues which need to be dealt with, and the consequent problem is that a great number of people are frustrated at the perceived lack of action in moving forward to tackle them. Until there is a real and noticeable change in dealing with the issues, then the possibility of increasing support for groups which don't have the best interests of the town at heart will exist.

What was apparent during last week's by-election was that while campaigners were out in force tackling the BNP, there was a general deafening silence from within the Asian community. Yes, there were those, dedicated to the town, who signed the open letter urging people to consider the way they voted. All power to them and long may they continue.

However, in the forthcoming elections it is right to expect to see more commitment from within those communities to playing an active part in building a future for this district and joining in the democratic process.

As has been said before, the community must become part of the solution and not leave it to others to fight on its behalf.