Nick Griffin on Question Time
So much has be said and written about the BNP leader's appearance on BBC Question Time that it scarcely seems worth adding more to the discussion. But on the drive in to work this morning I thought I'd jot down a couple of brief points.
Many people were furious that Griffin had be invited to join the QT panel, some to the extent of turning up at BBC HQ and causing a ruckus. To those people I say that, in my opinion, it is far better to get this debate out in the open so everyone can see exactly who this person is and what he represents. Trying to suppress the BNP, ignoring or denying their existence is essentially appeasement-by-default and thoroughly counter-productive. Griffin and his party have, for various reasons, gained a percentage of the national vote. Ignoring this fact is dangerous. Winning the open debate is, to my mind, the only way to ensure they make no further headway.
The BNP's recent electoral successes are a wakeup call to the mainstream parties who must locate their backbone and discuss those important topics that the BNP are claiming as their own. The current government in particular are masters at ignoring public opinion and it is this sort of behaviour that pushes people towards the likes of the BNP. Listen to the people and address their concerns... it's pretty basic politics.
It is also a wakeup call to those people who do not usually vote. The BNP have now moved beyond local councils - they have two seats in the European Parliament. That such a party currently represents the UK in Brussels absolutely disgusts me. If you don't bother voting, you are partly responsible. Get off your arse next time round and vote for a sensible political party.
A final point and another important one. It is not the job of the BBC to censor. We have a free press in this country so it would be wholly unacceptable for the national broadcaster to determine what political views can and cannot be broadcast. So, I believe they were right to include Griffin however unpleasant his ideals. However, what I would say about the BBC's handling of this is that they made two mistakes: firstly, making a huge deal out of the appearance of Griffin on the show. This sensationalised the whole event and reduced its worth as a journalistic exercise. Secondly, it wasn't a normal Question Time: a large portion of the show was given over to attacking the BNP and while this is a very worthwhile enterprise, it is beyond QT's remit and so made more of Griffin's appearance than should have been made. For a proper deconstruction of BNP policy, get Griffin on Newsnight and let Paxman at him. That I would like to see.
To conclude. I'm not going to resort to personal attacks on Griffin, other than say that I don't believe he did himself any favours during his performance. I detest the party he leads and the policies they champion. It is down to us, the majority of UK voters, to ensure that we do our utmost to show the world that these people do not represent and thus misrepresent us, our culture, our history and our society. We are, as a nation, much better than that.
Many people were furious that Griffin had be invited to join the QT panel, some to the extent of turning up at BBC HQ and causing a ruckus. To those people I say that, in my opinion, it is far better to get this debate out in the open so everyone can see exactly who this person is and what he represents. Trying to suppress the BNP, ignoring or denying their existence is essentially appeasement-by-default and thoroughly counter-productive. Griffin and his party have, for various reasons, gained a percentage of the national vote. Ignoring this fact is dangerous. Winning the open debate is, to my mind, the only way to ensure they make no further headway.
The BNP's recent electoral successes are a wakeup call to the mainstream parties who must locate their backbone and discuss those important topics that the BNP are claiming as their own. The current government in particular are masters at ignoring public opinion and it is this sort of behaviour that pushes people towards the likes of the BNP. Listen to the people and address their concerns... it's pretty basic politics.
It is also a wakeup call to those people who do not usually vote. The BNP have now moved beyond local councils - they have two seats in the European Parliament. That such a party currently represents the UK in Brussels absolutely disgusts me. If you don't bother voting, you are partly responsible. Get off your arse next time round and vote for a sensible political party.
A final point and another important one. It is not the job of the BBC to censor. We have a free press in this country so it would be wholly unacceptable for the national broadcaster to determine what political views can and cannot be broadcast. So, I believe they were right to include Griffin however unpleasant his ideals. However, what I would say about the BBC's handling of this is that they made two mistakes: firstly, making a huge deal out of the appearance of Griffin on the show. This sensationalised the whole event and reduced its worth as a journalistic exercise. Secondly, it wasn't a normal Question Time: a large portion of the show was given over to attacking the BNP and while this is a very worthwhile enterprise, it is beyond QT's remit and so made more of Griffin's appearance than should have been made. For a proper deconstruction of BNP policy, get Griffin on Newsnight and let Paxman at him. That I would like to see.
To conclude. I'm not going to resort to personal attacks on Griffin, other than say that I don't believe he did himself any favours during his performance. I detest the party he leads and the policies they champion. It is down to us, the majority of UK voters, to ensure that we do our utmost to show the world that these people do not represent and thus misrepresent us, our culture, our history and our society. We are, as a nation, much better than that.
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