The BNP may appear on BBC's Question Time

[Rum]

From the BBC at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8240206.stm

What do you think?

BNP 'may appear on Question Time'

The BBC has confirmed it may invite British National Party leader Nick Griffin to appear on a future edition of the Question Time programme.

A spokesman said the BBC was bound by the rules to treat all political parties with "due impartiality".Talks are being held with other parties, some of whom have previously refused to share a platform with the BNP because of its policies on race. But the BBC says no parties can dictate who should not be included on the show.

No BNP representatives have yet appeared on the BBC's flagship panel show. But the corporation has reviewed its position following the far-right party's success in last June's European elections, in which Mr Griffin was one of two BNP candidates to be elected as an MEP.

The BBC's chief political adviser, Ric Bailey, said the BNP had now "demonstrated evidence of electoral support at a national level." He said this would be "reflected" in the amount of coverage the party received on BBC programmes such as Question Time.

Mr Bailey added: "The BBC is obliged to treat all political parties registered with the Electoral Commission and operating within the law with due impartiality."

The corporation issued its statement after the Observer newspaper claimed the BBC had "forced" the Labour Party to consider its policy of not sharing the same platform with the BNP. The paper said a number of senior Labour figures, including Health Secretary Alan Johnson, had been approached by Question Time and that the party was now reviewing its position.

Mr Bailey said: " We are in talks with the parties on 'Question Time' which could feature Nick Griffin.

"It's worth noting that we often have discussions with people about who else is on the panel, but no parties can dictate who should or shouldn't be included."

He added: "Due impartiality is achieved both by ensuring appropriate scrutiny for each party and by the appearances of a range of politicians across a series of programmes. "Our audiences - and the electorate - will make up their own minds about the different policies offered by elected politicians."

[klr]

A few well-chosen questions (backed up evidence that Griffin can't weasel out of) should be enough to do the BNP far more damage than good.

Of course, if this were happening in my country, I might not be so objective about the prospect.

[Rum]

A few well-chosen questions (backed up evidence that Griffin can't weasel out of) should be enough to do the BNP far more damage than good.

Of course, if this were happening in my country, I might not be so objective about the prospect.

You are of course right, but logic and well argued positions don't actually have much impact on the potential members or supporters of the BNP. They are driven by prejudice and emotion. I find myself very ambivalence in that I believe in free speech but exposure will almost certainly result in more support developing for these evil twats. If you want to know what they stand for by the way (Americans and others) here's a link They have blandified the front page, though you get a taste there - it is when you click on 'policies' you get an idea of what they are truly about..oh - they have pretty frequent denial of service attacks too:-

http://bnp.org.uk/

[Xamonas Chegwé]

They are vicious racist cunts but the BBC is right to allow them to appear. Seating Griffin between Shami Chakrabarti and Keith Vaz might be interesting.

[Mallardz]

I belong to their youtube group they are incredible racist and complete fascists the lot of them. They are basically a cult who club together and spread the hate. They also like torchwood. It's worse they don't just criticise people who are not "Indigenous Britons" but anyone who accepts immigrants is not worthy British stock either. Nazi Bastards!

[Rum]

They are currently being challenged by the law which insists people from any racial background should be able to join. (currently you have to be white British).

That will be an interesting prospect! Would be a great way to get it into meltdown - thousands of brown people joining up!

[AshtonBlack]

They are currently being challenged by the law which insists people from any racial background should be able to join. (currently you have to be white British).

That will be an interesting prospect! Would be a great way to get it into meltdown - thousands of brown people joining up!

That would be so funny. Then they could vote Nick G out of his own party. The lulz would be epic.

[The Red Fox]

I say let them on. Those racist or naive enough to vote for them will do so anyway, and I wouldn't worry about exposure, the BNP are (in)famous throughout the country already. At least if they appear on national TV they can be reasonably debated and their stupid representatives can hang themselves with their own ropes. When they contradict themselves on record, it's much easier to show them up for the foul, cretinous, racist scumbags they really are.

That said, I would place this condition on their appearance: if they do go on Question Time, all other parties of similar size should be invited on as well. The media give disproportionate air time covering them already and it's about time other small parties were given the same platform as the BNP. It is vital that alternative ideas reach the public, if only to break the two-party system we've lulled ourselves into. (or as I see it a single party state, as there is currently no real difference between Labour and Tory.)

[ficklefiend]

I think they should be allowed on. It makes no sense to silence views because we disagree with them. I wouldn't want them getting loads of air-time, but they have some influence anyway and there should rightly be a platform to inspect and criticise their views.

Red Fox, I totally agree with the minority party arrangement!

[Rum]

-snip-

That said, I would place this condition on their appearance: if they do go on Question Time, all other parties of similar size should be invited on as well. The media give disproportionate air time covering them already and it's about time other small parties were given the same platform as the BNP. It is vital that alternative ideas reach the public, if only to break the two-party system we've lulled ourselves into. (or as I see it a single party state, as there is currently no real difference between Labour and Tory.)

An excellent point! The Greens for example, are a bigger party and don't get half the exposure.

[Pappa]

They are currently being challenged by the law which insists people from any racial background should be able to join. (currently you have to be white British).

That will be an interesting prospect! Would be a great way to get it into meltdown - thousands of brown people joining up!

That would be so funny. Then they could vote Nick G out of his own party. The lulz would be epic.

Uber-epic.

[Horwood Beer-Master]

[devogue]

At least the BNP are relevant to Question Time, a political programme.

I get more annoyed when they invite on twats like Will Young.

[Lozzer]

I'm looking forward to it personally, but I dislike the idea of our more conventional politicians refuting the BNP's mess. Jack Straw is boring, he's the same old same old--when contrasted with some radical, who is going to seem more interesting?

[Clinton Huxley]

I'm looking forward to it personally, but I dislike the idea of our more conventional politicians refuting the BNP's mess. Jack Straw is boring, he's the same old same old--when contrasted with some radical, who is going to seem more interesting?

Yeah, Nick Griffin is quite the rock star.....