Legitimising The BNP

There has been much controversy recently over the BBC’s decision to allow a representative of the British National Party to appear on the panel of their flagship current affairs programme Question Time. That by doing so they are allowing an avowedly racist political party the valuable oxygen of publicity, and therefore legitimising their views in the eyes of the public. I personally don’t have a problem with this, I do have a problem with censorship. The BNP should be allowed its political voice and we should be able to oppose them in open forum. This affair, however, is nothing compared to the incredibly stupid and short-sighted actions of the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

By threatening to prosecute the BNP unless it changes its constitution to permit the admittance of ethnic minorities. They no doubt thought they were being clever but at a stroke they have legitimised the BNP. If they, in theory, allow black and asian people to join the party they may well remain a party of racists, but they will cease to be a racist party. They can then with justification claim to be a genuine nationalist party.

As there are many people who no doubt agree with many of the views expressed by the BNP but could not bring themselves to vote for them because of the overwhelming racist element will now be freed of this restraint.  It could be an electoral boon for the party. It also brings into question the current policy that exists whereby certain professions are deemed incompatible with membership of the Party, such as police officer and teacher. If the party ceases to be officially racist how can denial of employment, or forced resignation from these professions, be sustained. If the leadership of the BNP can grasp the mettle and embrace it, loathsome though I’m sure they will find it, in a time of crisis and scandal, when people are looking for alternatives, they will never look back.  Some people just don’t think things through.