.... that we've contrived to send two neanderthal racist thugs to represent us in Europe. I just can't imagine who could bring themselves to vote for what is effectively a fascist group masquerading as a political party. Weren't any lessons learnt in the 1930's? Saying it's a "protest vote" is no excuse, it makes me feel physically sick.
Not sure where you live but one has been elected from Yorkshire - makes you think about the people around you and if they voted for him.Originally Posted by nikalas
The problem is that on the face of it they appear so plausible, I also think the fact they were first on the ballot paper with a byline of "Working to save British Jobs" helped.
Peak District so, as the North-West region elected one, I probably do know some folks who voted for them and that makes me feel so uneasy. It really worries me that people can't see through the veneer of plausibility and really believe that racism and xenophobia will somehow create jobs.
They are also very good about talking about what they perceive to be the problem and whose fault it is without any real solutions or details other than headlines. Nick Griffin was on radio 4 this am, he came across like a whingeing paranoid -"its everybody else's fault!!!"
The daft thing is that they won two seats whilst getting FEWER votes than last time!
It's not true to say that more people voted BNP - it's a case of a huge increase in voter apathy and the end of mass postal voting.
People need to realise the importance of voting, and that protesting by not voting is plain stupid.
I agree and that's the big problem... the more credence they get as a political party the more air-time and media they'll receive. They can then cash-in on the sorry state of the country and cultivate support simply by pointing out faults, sensationalistic rhetoric and finger pointing.
I know, it's mental! I really had no desire to vote but made myself in an attempt to prevent this happening. I just hope people who "protested by not voting" are feeling suitably guilty today and have learnt a lesson.
There are a few points I'd like to make here.
1. At times this fascist party has been "linked" incorrectly with the Tories (Right Wing) , but it is clear that they are gaining ground in the predominantly white council estates in Northern ex-industrial towns from what would be perceived as traditional Labour areas.
2. UKIP has been unfairly compared to the BNP at times - wrongly in my view. UKIP might be largely a single issue party - pull out of EU - and there are clearly some issues they have with immigration - however they are not linked to race and no more racist than the Australians, USA or Norwegians who all have immigration control.
3. Labour are reaping the rewards for the often demonising of other parties that has taken place in the last 15 years. The traditional and perhaps uneducated voters will no doubt feel they have no other way to vote than BNP as they have had it drummed in them for years that the Tories are the source of all evil.
4. I have some cross party - but socialist leaning friends - who have been out and about campaigning. Not with a Vote for Us agenda - but on a "Do Not Vote for BNP at any cost" agenda.
If anything is likely to draw uneducated protest voters towards the BNP, such negative campaigning has surely contributed.
5. If everyone just ignored them, and didn't fuel the ridiculous hype, then they would slowly disappear in to insignificance.
Surely the way forward is for this rabble to muster the courage to call a general election and at least place in power a government that reflects the current view of the electorate and will not be making a calculation at every announcement as to how the opinion polls will be affected.
I agree with a lot of the above, however if an election were called right now, that would make it more likely the BNP would get a stronger foothold domestically.
So far in my area where they have got council seats the councillors have been shown as inept or been given so little support from their main party that they have withered and died and not been re-lected. I would hope it would be the same if we ever got a BNP MP - but it is not something I would like to risk.
You would have to be pretty vacant minded to even think of voting for the bnp.
They have neither a proper manifesto or any idea about running our country.
BUT
Now the thing they have in there favour is that the current lot who are running the system have f./,..d up BIG time thus allowing voters to start to turn to the minority parties. SO BNP becomes somewhere to TURN to if you like.
Ive talked to lads here who are voting BNP and yes its a different probably slightly uneducated view that are voting for them.
But you cannot change democracy and if democracy means people will or are going to vote BNP then so be it.
Perhaps this is the way for the main parties to get there house in order.
A kick up the arse if you like.
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