Hustings: Frosty reception for Schools Minister as he tackles BNP

Mr Balls, who has a notional majority in Morley and Outwood, West Yorkshire, was jeered and booed by some members of the public holding BNP posters in Morley town centre.

Four other candidates – Chris Beverley for the BNP, Anthony Calvert for the Conservatives, James Monaghan for the Liberal Democrats, and David Daniel for the UK Independence Party (Ukip) – mounted soapboxes to address voters directly.

The boos followed a heated debate on banning the burka after the microphone was passed round the crowd. Audience members also shouted "rubbish" as Mr Balls responded to questions about education.

Around 30 people cheered as Mr Beverley said the BNP would ban burkas.