Memo to Establishment: don’t give the BNP what it craves (Doug Chaplin)
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- Memo to Establishment: don’t give the BNP what it craves (Doug Chaplin)
This is a guest post from Doug Chaplin, who blogs at Clayboy.
I am slightly puzzled by the complete silence of the UK’s political blogs – at least the main ones I read – about the rumours of a potential prosecution of the BNP. One can only suppose they are still distracted by the in-House navel-gazing of electing a new Speaker.
[Ed: I have noted a mention on Liberal Conspiracy, George Pitcher in the Telegraph, Cranmer, who was on it early. And Sunny at Pickled Politics comments.]
The story can be found, among other sources, in the Guardian , and on Teletext . At its heart is an investigation into whether the membership and employment practices of the BNP fall foul of the law for being racially discriminatory.
It would almost be disappointing if a fascist and racist party led by thugs complied with the law on equal opportunities, so I rather assume that such an investigation could make a case. I simply have grave doubts whether this is the way to proceed.
Let’s be clear: I regard the BNP as a rancid, rabid blot on our politics, and in their recent attempts to conscript Jesus for their campaign, heretical and blasphemous as well. However, I doubt very much that bans and prosecutions are the best way forward.
The thing is, we have a political party, however despicable, whose existence in part testifies to a disconnect between the consensual political life of acceptable parties and mainstream media, and the disaffected, disillusioned and seriously angry in some parts of society. It also may offer a democratic safety-valve for those who might otherwise turn their frustration to violence.
In this context it is part of the deceitful rhetoric of the BNP that white people are being persecuted in a white person’s country. That is an appalling view, but there is a small group of people who choose to prefer that explanation to more truthful ones. It is of the utmost folly to then try to silence the BNP by bringing the law to bear in a way that will make it painfully easy for them to cry “persecution” and attract more followers.
The challenge is to overcome them by good politics, better arguments, and actions that start making a difference. Trying to substitute the might of the law for rising to the political challenge is wrong-headed and counter-productive. This is the most bone-headed response anti-racists could make to the BNP finding themselves with two elected members of the European Parliament.
I’m with all those who seek to combat racism. That’s why I’m against tactics that will simply increase support for a racist party, who will really know how to make hay with “legal persecution”.
There needs to be a debate about this: what do you think – should the BNP be prosecuted for discrimination?
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Categories: All WW, British National Party (BNP), Comment, Elections 2009, Media, Politics, Regions
I do generally agree with you Doug – as disgraceful as their views are, they appear to be a legitimate political party.
But surely this is quite a simple question to answer: if they are in breach of the law (or there is enough evidence to prosecute them) then they should be prosecuted. In the same way if a prosecutor could make a strong enough, evidence based case, against any political party or organisation, they should be prosecuted too whether it be under discrimination legislation or any other legislation such as fraud for example.
There is no point going ahead with the action if it simply to rile up the BNP and make a point – but if there is a genuine case and the BNP are in breach of the law, why should they get away with it? BT or British Airways, the Tories or Labour party would not get away with it, so why should they?
I am no expert of equality legislation, so I have little insight into whether there is a case here or not – one for the lawyers and if it comes to it, the courts.
I do hope that this is treated as a legal case though and not a political point scoring exercise. I fear it might become the latter however. And therein lies the problem.
Why anyone would want to join the BNP is beyond me – especially a non-white, which is why this case will almost certainly be about putting one over the BNP. I do quite like the idea however of the BNP being forced to allow anyone to join and Britain’s black and Asian population all signing up and taking over!
Yes, there certainly is a case…
http://www.liberalconspiracy.org/2009/06/25/why-the-ehrc-should-challenge-the-bnps-membership-rules/
Unity´s last blog post..Examining the BCA’s ‘plethora’ of evidence
Like Garbo, I’m no expert which was why I wanted to see / stir up some comment. David Keen raised the same point about the law on my clayboy version of the post, and this is what I said there:
Doug Chaplin´s last blog post..The move back to Wordpress