the BNP gets too much airtime here considering

[GoingPostal]

the actual level of political representation they have in the country.

They currently have 54 councillors out of 22,000 seats = 0.25% representation. I don't know how many seats they hope to gain, but it isn't going to be many in the overall scheme.

If NG gets in to Parliament (ain't going to happen), then he would be 1/650 MPs = 0.15% representation.

Of course any sort of gain is worrying, any sort of foothold is too much and it's right that we shouldn't be complacent - but I believe that there is a quiet determination across all parties to simply ignore them out of existence, ie don't give fuel to the fire, don't rise to their bait and don't give them the platform to promote their views.

Can we not just ignore the threads extolling the "virtues" of this odious excuse for a political party rather than continuing to give them credibility by debating their policies?

(btw am a politics topic lurker - do it for a day job so bit of a busman's holiday to come on here and post - apologies for launching into the topic without much contribution beforehand)

[ladylush]

Do you think the panel and audience on QT should have ignored them as well?

[Ineed2shoeswhotovotefor]

what riven said

[pagwatch]

but its like Boden.
If we just all ignored it we would soon be running around acting sassy in our middle aged casual wear.

You have to be brave and draw a line in the sand and say "No More!"

[smallorange]

For years journalists refused to give the BNP
or similar a platform, for fear of making them seem more important than they are, just because their views are extreme. This stance was supported by the NUJ, I think.

It seems that times have changed and while I think the oint you are making is an excellent one, I find it really hard to let posts voicing support for the BNP go and ignore.

I think people are forgetting who yhe BNP areespecially since QT which legitimised NG, no end.

[smallorange]

And agree about Boden

[petitmaman]

Pag that is probably the first time the BNP has been compared to Boden. Can't see that goign on their catalogue.

[GoingPostal]

sorry not been around to reply. i really agree but feel very torn. the point about NG going on QT is a case in point - they were legitimised by that platform. he was invited to sit alongside moderate mainstream politicians and commentators and that gave him credibility. now to lots of us he came across as the sort of racist idiot he is ... but that air time also gave him exposure to a lot of people who might not have given him headspace before.

the more we response and react and debate, the more we are giving credibility to these views and letting them seem legitmate, worthy of debate and of our time.

doesn't mean we don't need to fight against it but by continually rising to the debate bait we might be helping their self-promotion rather than hindering it.

don't want to argue, just trying to see different ways to kill off this sort of view. giving them oxygen doesn't seem like the right way to do it.

[claig]

trying to silence them will only make them martyrs and increase their support. After they were elected to the EU parliament they were legitimised. I don't think there was any way to stop them having TV airtime since all other parties like UKIP and the Greens get access to TV. They are not going to go away and they will have to be debated.

[GoingPostal]

ah but there's trying to silence ... and there's ignoring. their views are so pathetic and extreme that no-one in their right mind would even acknowledge their legitmacy and argue them through - is what i'm getting at but not very well i think.

[ladylush]

I have mixed feelings about them appearing on QT. It was good that NG was exposed as a stupid individual incapable of giving a clear or consistent argument. However, although they are a legitimate elected party, it just somehow felt very wrong that they were allowed that platform and to sit alongside democratic parties. I also felt very sorry for the panel having to share their space with him. Bonnie Greer sat with her back to him throughout.

[daftpunk]

I think it's brilliant that MN has become fairly political, for a parenting site the poltical section is always busy..(or maybe it's just because there's an election today..? ha ha ) it's important that all UK parties are represented...and even if just 4 people support the BNP ...those 4 people are important.

Plus it's counterproductive to try and stop debate on the BNP, if they get any power at all (and they already have some) it will effect everyone...