The BNP on Question Time

There has recently been a big debate in the UK over whether or not to allow a far-right political party called the 'British National Party' onto the BBC's 'Question Time' show. I personally believe that they should be allowed to appear.

The first reason is that whether we like it or not, the BNP are a democratically elected party - real people voted for them. Whether or not the majority agree with their opinions isn't relevant. They have support by a portion of this country and therefore must, by all codes regarding impartiality of the BBC and more importantly, free speech - they must be allowed to appear.

It is crazy to suggest that gagging a political party won't drum up further support for them. Not to mention the fact that in doing so, it creates a huge hypocrisy. We say that the BNP won't allow free speech and are a fascist organisation and yet here we are, censoring minority parties with all our might...just like fascists!

Someone important (I forget who) once said that 'I don't agree with what you say but I shall defend to the death your right to say it'. It's an important point, one that still holds very true today.

I predict that when the BNP are on Question Time, unless the audience and other pannelists behave themselves, they'll be shooting themselves in the foot. Its important not to patronise the British people by thinking they can't form their own opinions about the BNP and need extreme protesting from others to drown out their voices. This will only add to the frustration that some people feel soon before turning to the BNP.

I'm not certain if its true but I've heard the EU is soon to be banning Communist parties. This is along a similar vein where people will grow up being fed a political ideology without being given the chance to form an opinion of their own. Its a horrible thought that there are people out there not just trying to control your political opinion, but also trying to ensure that you never even get wind of parties 'they' don't agree with.

In all this entire debate, the Labour government have shown far more fascism than the BNP. The government is intent on managing us rather than us managing it. It constantly confuses that WE are the ones in power whereas they are supposed to be powerless. We make the decisions and right now, the majority are FOR the BNP on Question Time. I am part of that majority and I look forward to Thursday's broadcast.