Friday, October 23, 2009

Griffin - gate

My initial reaction to last night's Question Time has hardened. I thought it was a rubbish programme. I supported the decision of the BBC to invite Mr Nick Griffin to be a guest on the panel, but I did not support the way it was done.

Today, I have been out leafleting and have met several people - all chance meetings. All but one of them watched last night's programme, and all thought it was 'Nick Griffin v The Rest'. They felt a bit of sympathy for him, and thought he'd done well to survive. Reassuringly, I do not think any of the people I met today (around 20) intended to vote BNP, but not one thought any less of Nick Griffin as a result of the programme.

Why on earth did the BBC do it like that. Every question was asked because of Nick Griffin's presence. Not even a question on the Royal Mail strike. It was, in effect, an hour of BNP propaganda - feeding into the victimhood strategy of the BNP. Losing the argument does not bother the BNP strategists at all. And today, it was Griffin/BNP which led every newspaper front page. And the one-sided nature of the programme has allowed the BNP to complain about unfair treatment. I despair.

As to the other panel members, I thought that Sayeeda Warsi and Bonnie Greer did OK, while Chris Huhne and Jack Straw were poor. Typically, the BBC online report include comments from Huhne and Straw - and nothing from Warsi and Greer. All in all, a bad night for British democracy.

8 comments:

Margaret said...

Warsi was excellent. I find that woman curiously arousing.

it was Griffin v The Rest, which will only fuel BNP sympathisesr feeling of 'persecution in our own country'. bad vibe

Daran said...

"Why on earth did the BBC do it like that. Every question was asked because of Nick Griffin's presence. Not even a question on the Royal Mail strike. It was, in effect, an hour of BNP propaganda - feeding into the victimhood strategy of the BNP. Losing the argument does not bother the BNP strategists at all. And today, it was Griffin/BNP which led every newspaper front page. And the one-sided nature of the programme has allowed the BNP to complain about unfair treatment. I despair."

And so did I. From no platform to total platform. He may have made an arse of himself, but he was never talking to you or I. One of the saddest programmes ever broadcast by the BBC.

Amy said...

It is unfortunate that there are people with the same views as Griffin. They should not be allowed to be in politics.

Huw said...

He shouldn't be in politics, but he is, because some people have voted and placed him there.

The BBC had to let him on the programme for democracy's sake. No point in keeping him off since you disagree with his opinions.

I think it was a Nick Griffin versus The Rest because people need to understand that he will pick up Labour and Tory votes. He appeals to the working class who are mostly white and he also appeals to the more conservative type who want to reduce immigration.

People need to accept that a lot of the population do currently agree with him, not on every topic of course, but enough to get more from this party elected.

For too long people have just shouted "racist" which has up until now shut people up and pushed these thoughts underground, but never eradicating them or providing an alternative. When people shout racist, the word has been strong enough to not warrant an explanation for its use - not anymore. The same thing has happened to the word 'nationalist' in the Welsh context, which was a strong word used to keep people quiet. Now it's "so what"? Of course, Labour have yet to move on.

A lot of the problem stems from the fact that not enough history is taught to children any more, or not enough local history is taught. Sure we learn about the reunification of Italy, Mao's China etc. but now, many struggle to know who Hitler was or what he did. Recent questionnaires given to children yielded that some thought Winston Churchill was the first man on the moon!

Alistair Barber said...

Amy said...
It is unfortunate that there are people with the same views as Griffin. They should not be allowed to be in politics.

Fri Oct 23, 09:52:00 PM


There are over 37,000 BNP voters in Wales.

Would you deny them a voice?

eric said...

spot on glyn. you sum it up perfectly and I have been surprised a lot of the media didn't see it that way.
Warsi was ead and sholders aove the rest....Greer was poor,and not sure why she had a platform there.

Anonymous said...

"Reassuringly, I do not think any of the people I met today (around 20) intended to vote BNP...."

Think again, I heard on Radio Four this morning that upto one in five people would consider voting BNP.

When the country is in a mess (and it bloody well is) then Fascism will gain popularity.

Why did the BBC change the format of the program? Griffin has come out of this smelling of roses.

Anonymous said...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8323638.stm