Unite Against Facism Protest BNP Leader's Question Time Appearance

I have been watching news coverage of protests outside the BBC television centre were David Dimbleby's "Question Time" was to be aired. Question Time is a discussion programme involving a panal of politicans and celebrities as well as a studio audience who can ask questions. I have often watched Question Time with interest and enjoyment. It is an opportunity for ordinary people to put politicians on the spot and challenge them. In the run up to the 2005 general election the leader of the three major parties came on one at a time to be grilled.

Last night's edition of Question Time was quite controversial, as the panal included British National Party leader, Nick Griffin. He leads a far-right, whites-only political party here in the United Kingdom. The BNP formed as a splinter group of the British National Front by John Tyndall in 1982. They are a slimy, racist bunch but have recently won favour by raising some legimate concerns, such as the issue of illegal immigration.



A large mob comprised of members of Unite Against Facism struggled with police outside the BBC Television centre in an attempt to enter the building. They opposed the appearance of Nick Griffin on Question Time believing that it was wrong to give him a platform. This group began in 2003 as a coalition that included the Anti-Nazi League, the National Assembly Against Racism, the Trades Union Congress. They have supporters from all the major parties, including, surprisingly, Conservative Party leader David Cameron.



In my last year at university I encountered The Anti-Nazi League, one of the groups which founded UAF. I tagged along on some of their protests and attended some of their gatherings to see what they were about. They likewise worked to impose censorship by banning the BNP from voicing their opinions. "No platform for Nazis" was one of their slogans.



Now, I have no love for the BNP. They are a bunch of racist thugs, but in many ways these far left groups are just as much a threat to our democratic society in my opinion. How hypocritical to protest facism by trying to deny someone's freedom of speech. It also puts everyone's freedom to speak their mind at risk, for who is to stop someone else trying to take away other people's freedom to speak their mind if their views are deemed unpopular? Who is to decide what is and what is not acceptable? Mob rule? I am also quite astounded and disgusted that members of the mainstream parties would give any support to the antics of people like that.



The way to combat groups like the BNP is not to try to silence them, but to refute them. They should be engaged in debate and exposed for what they are. That was the aim of last night's edition of Question Time, and I think it was largely successful. Don't silence people, refute them. That is the way of a democratic society.