BNP on Question Time

[Zippy]

Peter Hain can do nothing (as I understand it). Should he be able to?

I don't think so ...

[NickFitz]

(note that this was imposed upon them by politicians who had gained power and were convinced that the BBC had been against them when they were out of power, which is every party to have held power since the BBC was created)

Allow me to correct and clarify myself here.

Every politician is convinced, when in power, that the BBC is against them. As they are in power, they shout and bluster and wave their arms around and threaten the BBC.

Every politician is convinced, when not in power, that the BBC is against them. As they are not in power, they occasionally bitch and whine about it and threaten the BBC, but keep it more low-key for fear of alienating the electorate.

The BBC has a duty to be impartial and unbiased in its attitudes towards political parties. Given that every political party claims that the BBC is biased against it, we can probably assume that the BBC is doing a good job of remaining impartial.

"If you're not for us, you're against us" is the kind of thinking ingrained in politicians; given that such thinking precludes the possibility of the existence of an unbiased and impartial observer, we can safely exclude such thinking from the realms of civilised discourse, in which an impartial and objective viewpoint is something to be prized above all other views.

[BoredBloke]

I can't stang Peter Hain. That sneer he has painted over his orange face. He's a ****** and typifies New Labour. I remember in the run up to the 2nd Gulf war him sitting on QT and holding up a glass of water and saying that only a drop of the chemicals Saddam had could kill everybody in the audience and this glass full would kill everybody in London and Saddam had tankers full of the stuff. Well where was Peter you lying Labour scum? Oh that's right You lot lied and he didn't have any.

[wobbegong]

Of course the BNP should be heard, they are a fairly elected political party. That's the "downside" of democracy; people with opinions that you disagree with, have an equal right to express their views.

[shaunbhoy]

Of course the BNP should be heard, they are a fairly elected political party. That's the "downside" of democracy; people with opinions that you disagree with, have an equal right to express their views.

WHS

Whether you despise them or not, if we are to try and hold ourselves up as a model of democracy then they must be allowed their say, however unpalatable. If they are talking nonsense then let us hear it rather than trying to gag them and allowing them to both acquire a mystique as well as play the martyr card.

[EternalOptimist]

It will be good entertainment if nothing else. I am looking forward to it.

I wonder if prince Harry will be watching

[wobbegong]

It will be good entertainment if nothing else. I am looking forward to it.

Agreed. Personally, I think it will be the making or breaking of the BNP (as long as they are allowed to say their piece, uninterrupted). They will either appear poorly prepared amateurs, or their well-reasoned and articulate debate will make people sit up take note. From their perspective; everything to play for.

[DodgyAgent]

Yes, why not? If BNP is breaking any laws they should be put on trial, otherwise it is a witch hunt that only benefits them.

I personally care far more about thieving ruling party than BNP who don't stand a chance - that's why Labour love them so much as it helps to detract attection - it's the Labour MPs who should be on trial, BNP done exactly nil compared to them.

well said Atw

BNP are reminding us of what happens when politicians run roughshod over people with their incompetent immigration and employment laws

[DimPrawn]

well said Atw

BNP are reminding us of what happens when politicians run roughshod over people with their incompetent immigration and employment laws

DodgyAgent is pissed off he has to fill in a form to bring in another truckload to undercut the local IT workforce.

[Doggy Styles]

Instead of getting the arse about their existence, a more serious point is why the BNP are gaining popularity in the first place.