Playing into the Hands of the BNP

So, did you watch Question Time last night? Predictably, the "mainstream" parties (and the 'neutral' chairman of the panel Dimbleby) walked straight into the BNP's hands by attacking Griffin in the style of a lynch mob.

Griffin is an unsavoury character. In amongst the platitudes of 'moderating' his party last night there was a nod towards Holocaust denial. He is a politician all right.

So the way to neutralise him and his party is to engage them in a debate about their policies. Last night was the perfect chance to do so. Instead the BBC loaded their panel and audience with people whose hatred for the BNP clouded their judgement and ability to debate. Instead it became an all out attack on Griffin. He wasn't allowed to talk without interruption, so in effect got away scot-free.

Many viewers will have had sympathy for him because of the "performance" of the other panellists and therefore his reputation was wrongly enhanced. Jack Straw in particular was a disgrace, waffling and pontificating at every turn.

The liberal elite in this country of all political hues really do not have a clue. They sit in their ivory towers and multi-million pound houses in Notting Hill, pontificating over a Grande Latte about the disgrace the "extreme right wing" are.

Meanwhile in many working class areas (especially in England) there are genuine concerns over where this country is heading. Many of these people aged 50 and above have seen such fundamental change in the demographic of the country it is understandable they are worried. However if any of them try and speak about their concerns they are pilloried as "racists".

The BNP prey on this and the way the "establishment" act over immigration and multiculturalism only exacerbates the situation. And then they wonder why almost a million people voted for the BNP at the Euro Elections - many of whom I have no doubt do not know exactly what the party stands for.

It's hard to believe I know but we've seen the BNP in action here in rural Deeside! There was a local council election not long ago and I had the misfortune to be walking down to the local shop for the Sunday paper. A clapped out Transit van was sitting in the car park with a BNP sticker on the window. 4 or 5 middle aged denim clad men (jean suits are soooooooo 80s) were standing outside the van. I have to admit they intimidated me, so goodness knows how it would be for a pensioner answering their door to them.

This is the side of the BNP you don't see. But if the mainstream parties don't get a grip and tackle the BNP about their POLICIES, instead of writing them off as racist loonies, the foothold they've already got will become an irreversible base camp.

My song choice today embraces multicultural Britain as this band were suggested to me by my American follower! She is working in this country until at least the end of the year and it's nice to see us giving the colonials some work experience!! The band are called Wilco and they do a darned good blend of country/rock. Check out I Must be High and then Impossible Germany and you'll see these guys are no one trick ponies though. Cheers Terri!