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BNP on Question time
Oct. 22nd, 2009 07:06 pmOK, so in the news today, we have protesters outside BBC HQ, where question time is being recorded.
They're protesting about the BNP, and how they object to Nick Griffin 'getting a spot' because it legitimizes him.
Here's the thing though. Isn't the point of democracy, that you listen to everyone's viewpoint, and the cast a vote? I mean, you don't get to veto political representation just because you don't like what someone has to say - that way likes badness.
Like or not, the BNP has council seats and MEP seats. If you don't like that, the correct response is to vote for someone else. To _stand_ yourself. And if what the country really, honestly wants, is the BNP to take power... then that's just democracy at work. Your opinion is a minority in that situation.
By all means object to what they stand for - I mostly think I do, although I haven't actually read much of their manifesto or anything. But don't try and deny their legitimacy - they _are_ a legitimate political party. There's no two ways about it - if there were a general election next week, BNP members could and probably would be standing. That gives them as much right to be on Question time as ... any of the other minority parties.
The solution? If you don't want the BNP to manage that? Wake the hell up - voter turnout the last elections has been atrocious. It's much easier to get elected as a minority party if everyone else can't be bothered to take part in the political system...
They're protesting about the BNP, and how they object to Nick Griffin 'getting a spot' because it legitimizes him.
Here's the thing though. Isn't the point of democracy, that you listen to everyone's viewpoint, and the cast a vote? I mean, you don't get to veto political representation just because you don't like what someone has to say - that way likes badness.
Like or not, the BNP has council seats and MEP seats. If you don't like that, the correct response is to vote for someone else. To _stand_ yourself. And if what the country really, honestly wants, is the BNP to take power... then that's just democracy at work. Your opinion is a minority in that situation.
By all means object to what they stand for - I mostly think I do, although I haven't actually read much of their manifesto or anything. But don't try and deny their legitimacy - they _are_ a legitimate political party. There's no two ways about it - if there were a general election next week, BNP members could and probably would be standing. That gives them as much right to be on Question time as ... any of the other minority parties.
The solution? If you don't want the BNP to manage that? Wake the hell up - voter turnout the last elections has been atrocious. It's much easier to get elected as a minority party if everyone else can't be bothered to take part in the political system...
