Martin Dust
Techno Zen Master
No doubt the racists will think he did well in the bear pit and it's clear that they will get support out of this outside of London.
Well, I don't think it's possible to have a qualitatively different policy on immigration, it all boils down to a matter of degree: who and how many, and nigh on everybody makes choices according to those two criteria.
This assumes that people are inherently not swayed by fascist points of view.
There was an axiomatic consensus that immigration is a priori bad.
So you're not keen on this whole democracy idea, then?
Le Pen gave France a brief scary moment but soon fizzled out. The main parties will take the sting out of Griffin's tail by taking on some aspects of his supporters' concerns and the BNP will then lose their momentum. But this can only happen if there is a period of exposure, so that the boil of disgruntlement can be lanced - making a martyr out of him for his fanclub is not the way (tho' God knows the country has tried!)
Surely this is the issue though? That the BNP's agenda becomes normalised and a part of mainstream debate.
Really though, the chances of the BNP establishing a fascist state in the UK must be infinitesimally slim; the EU or the US would step in and quash it if they considered it imminent.
But no-one actually thinks this is going to happen, surely not even Griffin in his wildest dreams. What the BNP could succeed in is doing immense harm to race relations in this country, setting whites and non-whites (esp. Muslims of course) against each other. It could fall very far from establishing a fascist state and yet still achieve this.
So you're not keen on this whole democracy idea, then?
Le Pen gave France a brief scary moment but soon fizzled out. The main parties will take the sting out of Griffin's tail by taking on some aspects of his supporters' concerns and the BNP will then lose their momentum. But this can only happen if there is a period of exposure, so that the boil of disgruntlement can be lanced - making a martyr out of him for his fanclub is not the way (tho' God knows the country has tried!)
This is exactly my fear, some places are fit to blow already.
Whether you think this or not must depend largely on how pliable you think people are, or perhaps you fear that everybody already agrees with him and just isn't letting on!
The logical conclusion of those in power seeking to make illegal ideas for what they consider to be a sub-optimal reorganisation of society is to make every other view illegal.
Really though, the chances of the BNP establishing a fascist state in the UK must be infinitesimally slim; the EU or the US would step in and quash it if they considered it imminent.
btw I used to argue FOR banning the BNP outright but was argued out of it, so I can see where people are coming from.
But no-one actually thinks this is going to happen, surely not even Griffin in his wildest dreams. What the BNP could succeed in is doing immense harm to race relations in this country, setting whites and non-whites (esp. Muslims of course) against each other. It could fall very far from establishing a fascist state and yet still achieve this.
Let alone the fact that gay guys are already being kicked to death in Trafalgar Square at 10.30 at night.
BBC comments page seems to think last night was a witchhunt against Griffin - which means he comes out as the abused underdog. Perfect PR really.
Politrix aside - Mr Tea on the money with his comment. I find that far more scary at the moment than the potential for the BNP as a political party (at the moment) which I see as going something like this.
Step 1. Try to be media friendly
Step 2. Create social unrest pitting fundies of both sides against each other.
Step 3. Step back
Step 4. BNP say 'See I told you multiculturalism/imigration/islam is a bad idea'
Step 5. Collect votes
yep.
Can anyone reprise what the main parties said about immigration. i remember thinking they were all hugely to the right, but can't recall exact quotes.
<all good stuff>