All 10 BNP candidates failed and the existing five sitting councillors lost their seats.
Local anti-fascists were in a difficult position. The umbrella campaign North Staffordshire Campaign Against Racism and Fascism were not only confronting the BNP but also UKIP, the English Democrats and the England First Party. They all stood in different wards from the BNP to avoid splitting the far right vote.
NORSCARF mobilised support from a wide range of community, union and political groups inside and outside the city, including Hope Not Hate and Unite Against Fascism. Many young people supported the campaign, led by NORSCARF secretary Jason Hill.
A veteran campaigner, Mr Hill got the Blair Peach award at the NUT conference last month, and he worked tirelessly during the campaign to persuade people to reject the extreme right.
Labour is now firmly back in control, with 34 of the 44 seats on the new council. There are, of course, dangers in this. When Labour won all 60 seats in Stoke 12 years ago, it lost focus and this allowed the BNP to get a foothold in the area. Campaigners have vowed not to let this happen again. They say that while the far right is down in Stoke, it is far from a totally spent force.
