James Bethell: the centre-right must continue to address the concerns of ordinary people
Free speech principles and democratic values were shaken but ultimately enhanced. Nick Griffin retired wounded but on his feet, fit to fight another day. The BBC can claim a victory today, but tomorrow they must answer tough questions about their handling of the event. The panelists have a story for their grandchildren. That’s a summary of today’s QT coverage.
But as people who will be fighting the BNP when the fuss dies down, where does that leave the Nothing British campaign? Three points:-
It was frustrating that Dimbleby stuck to the revolting but titillating bits. What we call the Bigot’s Banquet. Anti-Semitism. Holocaust-denial. Homophobia. Misogyny. Nazi-obsession. White supremacy.
It is critical we hold Griffin to account for these abhorrent views. But this ground is very well covered and Griffin’s stock answers, whilst inadequate, are well-rehearsed and get him by.
Many perfectly reasonable voters who abhor these values still support the BNPdespite the sociopathic xenophobia of its leadership. The party speaks to them about issues they care about and claims to fight their corner. Dimbleby should have pressed Griffin on these points, as he would any other politician.
Take the BNP’s economic policies. Nationalisation of British industry. Socialisation of the housing stock. Cancellation of trade agreements. Termination of immigration. These would have a devastating effect on British jobs. It might not make such good telly, but it is time commentators treated Griffin as a grown-up and held him accountable for the country-wrecking policies he advocates.
Secondly, we are in the Remembrance Day season and, as Operation Stolen Valour exposed this week, the BNP machine seeks to use associations with Britain’s military honour and the memory of fallen heroes to gloss over its record of corruption, violence and incompetence.
We must not let the post-QT BNP-exhaustion take our eye of the ball.
Through initiatives like “Soldiers off the Streets” (the BNP’s bogus “Help for Heroes”-style organisation), Griffin’s incessant poppy-wearing and an anti-war march in London planned for St George’s Day, the BNP are seeking to tap into the anger we feel about the government’s treatment of our armed forces and the growing public scepticism towards the war in Afghanistan.
Lastly, it is not enough to attack the BNP. More people are employed attacking the BNP than by the BNP itself, but the BNP continues to grow.
We must ask ourselves why so many are so angry, so frustrated that they are prepared to listen to such a man?
As Andrew Roberts, the historian, told a Nothing British policy meeting yesterday, the failures of successive Labour governments always leave a legacy of fascism in our society. Throughout modern history it is the role of incoming Conservative governments to address the problem.
Tim Montgomerie told the same meeting that there was room in the Conservative agenda for compassionate policies that addressed the growing pessimism amongst those voters who have missed the prosperity of the Blair Boom and have lost hope in the future.
That’s why Nothing British is launching next week a new initiative to bring centre-right policy-makers together to formulate affordable ideas that address the concerns of hard-working families in the heartland of Britain who are tempted by the BNP’s racism and extremism. Families that have lost their jobs to off-shore developing economies and hard-working, better-trained migrants. That are losing out in the competition for public services. Who no longer feel at home in their own country. Whose living environment has deteriorated during a time when the rest of Britain has got better.
The ideas are out there. We are asking organisations like ConservativeHome to help us to bring them together.
Diane Abbottold the BBC’s This Week with Andrew Neill and Michael Portillo last night that Labour has abandoned its core vote and let in the BNP. It’s now up to Conservatives to clear up the mess.
James Bethell is Director of Nothing British.
“What we call the Bigot’s Banquet. Anti-Semitism. Holocaust-denial. Homophobia. Misogyny. Nazi-obsession. White supremacy.”
Griffin scored re: anti-semitism by pointing out his party’s record of supporting Israeli aggression against the Lebanese (I don’t approve of his position, but it beats the establishment parties for Jew-Brit inter-relations.)
On ‘holocaust denial’ he said he now accepts a holocaust occured. Or did I miss something?
Homophobia? His comments were hardly out-there.
Misogyny? Nazi-obsession? White supremacy? Now you’re just making things up. These supposed issues never arose. Far from sticking to these ‘titillating bits’ Dimbleby and co. never even raised them. What a foetid imagination you have.
It’s not Griffin who needs ‘holding to account’ for ‘these views’ — it’s you that needs holding to account for projecting them onto others.
All the rest is guff, too. Why you think anyone should trust you when this sudden concern for the ‘hard-working families in the heartland of Britain’ is so clearly linked in your own mind with the electoral threat of the BNP, I do not know. It just makes you look even grubbier than the typical establishment party trough feeder.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
One thing he clearly illustrated is he’s not up to the job. He was like a rabbit in the headlights. Stumbling, mumbling, sweating and twitching. Ive since learned his Cambridge degree was a 2/2 and frankly it showed. He’s no Hitler. He’s no Powell. Who whatever you think of their opinions, were amazing orators. He is a joke and he is the best the party can offer?
You are going to tell me it was a biased panel, a bloodthirsty audience baying for his blood. So what! ill stand in a room surrounded by bnp members baying for mine, come in here and raise your points ill parry your blows.
Electoral threat POPPYCOCK. The BNP was dealt a heavy blow last night and when the election comes itll be the knockout blow. I was on facebook last night and lots of my friends are in the 18-30 bracket mostly white, young and christian. Not really the group who run to the ballot box on polling day but after watching “DICK” last night they are all gonna vote thanks to the exposure the pre show news headlines brought… BYE BYE BNP
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
voice of reason said “You are going to tell me it was a biased panel, a bloodthirsty audience baying for his blood.”
It was, pretty much. The question isn’t why you won’t vote for Griffin – you were already anti-BNP – the question is how you can so easily shrug off such a bloodthirsty spectacle and continue to support the establishment parties whose conduct you acknowledge was foul.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
they keep moderating me out!!!
Aaaah the standard they fought for themselves . so why did they come and fight in the 1st world war when independance wasnt even on the table then. 1.5 million indians volunteered and heres a little cut and paste from the longman companion to the first world war( a reputable and recognised reference book)
With regards to Africa, the figure of 55,000 refers to soldiers who saw combat; the number of Africans involved as auxiliaries or otherwise is likely to include several hundred thousand. Troops were drawn from Nigeria, Gambia, Rhodesia/Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Nyasaland/Malawi, Kenya and the Gold Coast. Figures for South Africa are given separately. In the Caribbean, the British West Indies regiment drew men from across the region, including Barbados, Bahamas, Honduras, Grenada, Guyana, Leeward Islands, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and Trinidad and Tobago; the bulk came from Jamaica.
if you think reference books are part of a marxist conspiracy then try the commonwealth war graves commission.
You Sir are a tool of the highest order. In the first week of the poppy appeal where we rightly remember those who gave their lives for us, have the gall to attempt to belittle their sacrifice to justify your own beliefs about race and colour. Putrid Rancid man SHAME ON YOU.
I bet you have the gall to buy a poppy aswell !!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
No Reasonable voice you are a victim of the dreaded spamkiller that we all fall foul of, Maurice, when he is not at lunch, fishes them out & posts them sometime later.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Arggghhhh i was pretty furious at the time hence posting it on every topic. Fellist. Youve nailed your flag to the mast as to who gets your vote.
I dont vote for mainstream parties just for the record as i feel first past the post is not a fair system. over the years ive voted Natural Law(the yogic flying party)
Monster raving looney has had a turn. independants for council elections and even spoiled the ballot in protest on a few occasions. But this time im gonna make it count. Ive got commitment from 20 people on facebook today alone, promising that they will vote, lots of the younger ones even changed over from watching paris hilton on bbc2 to watch “Dick” Griffin last night and they were appalled so were gonna see a lot of 1st time voters standing up to be counted.
p.s They wont vote BNP
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
they certainly wont vote them now..thanks to auld nick
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Career-Wrecking Performance By Griffin On QT.
Perhaps the most watched QT show in the programmes history. Most politicians will get a grilling, but Griffin set a new standard. He was very visibly shaken, with hand and wrists quivering, appearing to sweat, over the top nods and embarrassing nervous laughter in attempts to relate to panellists comments or shrug off questions that impaled his appeal. It is because Griffin faced Britain, I think for the first time and Griffin got to see what Britain thinks of him.
My favourite quote of the night was when he was asked to defend the un-defendable- his list of vile quotes. He stated “I cant tell you why I used to say those things anymore than I can tell you why I have changed”. The Show is ‘Question Time’, and he had NO answers.
So what now for the BNP? Unlike in France when similar far right groups appeared on such as show, their appeal doubled. But for the BNP? Their website was down during the show, and anyone stupid enough to be impressed by his performance (does such a person exist) cannot join his party on the spur of the moment due to the 3 month freeze on membership. As Straw said, its been a bad week for the BNP and this was a new low, a bad performance at a bad time by a for a bad politician with a party with bad finances.
check out the BNP’s official responce to QT
posted on Not My Voice (you read it here first)
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=92578341253
also
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
“Natural Law(the yogic flying party)”
Friggin’ hell, they still about?
I read their manifesto years ago & I remember something about rebuilding everything to fit some utopian dream, talk about Germania etc or a 1960’s town planners wet dream, it would be bye bye Bath amongst others.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
As Andrew Roberts, the historian, told a Nothing British policy meeting yesterday, the failures of successive Labour governments always leave a legacy of fascism in our society. Throughout modern history it is the role of incoming Conservative governments to address the problem.
History deployed in the service of partisanship.
In fact, the rise of the BNP aside, there is little correlation between Labour governments and a ‘legacy of fascism’. Even a cursory glance at the history of the British extreme right will indicate this.
The first notable British fascist party, the British Union of Fascists, was founded and grew to the status of a minor political force under the overwhelmingly Conservative dominated National Government in the 1930’s.
The second fascist organisation of any note, the National Front, grew equally successfully under both Conservative and Labour governments in the 1970’s.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
“Throughout modern history it is the role of incoming Conservative governments to address the problem.”
But will they?
The signs are not good.
The central charge is that the three main parties are all in cahoots & signed up to the same things apart from some minor surface detail.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
As Andrew Roberts, the historian, told a Nothing British policy meeting yesterday, the failures of successive Labour governments always leave a legacy of fascism in our society. Throughout modern history it is the role of incoming Conservative governments to address the problem.
You mean, it is the role of the Conservative party to fool the right leaning and therefore nationalist-leaning members of the populace to stick with the two party system that delivers the same no matter who’s in power.
[This is the same Andrew Roberts who brought to our attention Churchill's recommendation that the Conservatives run on a policy of 'Keep Britain White' (which would have been popular)? And we are to believe the drunken warmonger is personal hero to all you multicult Tories? Including Warsi?]
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
It seems to me that a lot of people are saying that QT was an own goal for the BBC and the main parties. The very fact that Nick Griffin was treated differently to any guest who has ever appeared on the show means that he is now able to claim with some justification that he is a victim and that democracy has not been served.
Anyone, even those with media experience, would crumble under such a sustained and virulent personal attack.
Who have dreamed that we would witness such persecution on a TV show?
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
And let’s not forget that Mosley was both a Conservative and a Labour MP. Nor that yours are the parties of empire, colonialism, and invidious racial policies. There are more skeletons in your closets than in the BNP’s.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
“It seems to me that a lot of people are saying that QT was an own goal for the BBC and the main parties. The very fact that Nick Griffin was treated differently to any guest who has ever appeared on the show means that he is now able to claim with some justification that he is a victim and that democracy has not been served.”
I notice most of the callers into the Jeremy Vine show say the same: nasty, brutish, biased.
It should be pointed out that Griffin was selected for this treatment only because his party speaks for White people and specifically the native peoples of Britain. Organisations – and there are hundreds – that speak for and limit their membership to minority ethnic groups are welcomed into govt. and BBC circles routinely. The bias is a racial one, the discrimination anti-White.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
paranoia is ripping fae ye feline ripping fae ye
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
“it’s time for the centre-right to clear up the mess.”
OK I’ve gotta broom, now what?
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Yeah you do get a bit paranoid sometimes … lol
Id like to think if they had someone like abu hamza on they wouldnt let that twat off lightly either.. but its good lets get all the nutters on we’ve had “Dick” Griffin lets have some leaders from the margins on there. those yogic flying guys would be great leaping around the studio in the lotus position.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Take any politician, run them through a lynch mob & put them in front a largely hostile audience with hostile panel members & expect them to look good, my bet is it can’t be done.
Teflon Tony Blair is famous for saying one thing to one audience & something else to another.
Not only was he two faced but talked out of his arse as well.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
oh dear wtf everyone could see auld nick was talking out of his last night,i thought it was good
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
BTW Sam did you sell any eggs as I didn’t see any getting used in the studio?
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I’m afraid that James hit the nail on the head. Rather than all focusing on race, religion, intolerance and discrimination ( as they did ), the main 3 parties had a prime opportunity to shame Nick griffin and the BNP on ALL their other policies. So . . . . what did they do . . . . just the same old boring rhetoric we hear all the time.
I have to say that I did actually feel sorry for Nick Griffin. He was constantly picked on with a clearly biased audience and very little opportunity to discuss anything else but the BNP race issue
If anything, I think some people might have actually felt slightly sorry for Griffin, under the circumstances, even with his poor answers to the questions put to him?
What really made me laugh though was the way Jack Straw started off talking about MPs ” Moral Compass “!!! ( And he even had the nerve to end on that note as well! ) Only when Nick griffin is on QT and everyone is SOLEY focused on the race issue could Jack Straw EVER get away with that in the current expenses scandal climate!
He responded very poorly to the immigration questions he actually answered and I thought that Sayeeda Warsi came across quite well challenging him and in her other answers.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
nope didny get ANY egg sales keeping them for 14th nov in Glasgow.the edl are having a little sauree in the city that day
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Ah bless, are you going to make them all pancakes, omlettes & souffles?
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
For the life of me I can’t see what it is that Nick Griffin says that is so terrible compared to what certain others say and do. And there you go – I daren’t even explain that fully. We are all f*****
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I think it is due to the fact he’s not part of the cosy concensus of mainstream politics.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I think it is due to the fact he is a racist bigot.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
“I think it is due to the fact he is a racist bigot.”
I didn’t know he’d been a member of the Bullingdon Club?
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
i think its because he a fat fascist
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Aren’t you being just a tad “Fatist”, there was a umm (cough) large lady on the TV the other night wanting such statements to be a criminal offence.
Sam she’d have you bang to rights on that one.
Then there is the term “Fascist” which like its Brother “Racist” as become a “shut up” word, a debate stopper, a red traffic light on the road of discourse.
These words have become almost meaningless as they mean different things to different people.
But I think I know what you mean by it.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Great campaign then “There’s Nothing British”. The latest news is that 20% of the voting population would now seriously consider voting BNP!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
It proves the adage that all publicity is good publicity.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
thats a load of tosh…next thing the bnp s publicity machine will be saying that they ve got a large percentage of the muslim vote
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Well if they want us out of Afghanistan, Iraq etc, they should consider it.
Maurice is keen on “dealing” with Iran & I feel sure that the Conservatives generally will carry on the same path as Gordon & his gormless lot.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
i must admit to agreeing with auld nick on the illegal wars in iraq and afghanistan ….and about iran…i had to pinch myself to make sure i was still awake
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
You are awake!
We’ve gone through the looking glass folks!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Sam agrees with Nick Griffin on something, the world has gone completely mad!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Sam!!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
im a teapot iam a teapot
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Have you gotta handle & a little spout?
I bet you had to lie down or get drunk after admitting that about Nick!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
you bet i did,but i think he IS using the wars to make himself out to be some sort of friend ot the army,funny we never heard the bnp criticise the invasions when they were under way,but 6 years later
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
It’s a dilemma, isn’t it Sam. Which do you want most: to stop the fast genocide of Muslim nations in the middle East, in which case you’ll have to vote BNP; or to continue the slow genocide of European man, in which case you’ll have to vote for one of the establishment parties. You want both outcomes but the party options don’t line up, you have to choose which you want more.
People who don’t want either genocide are in the fortunate position (comes of being decent and consistent) of having only one choice: to vote BNP, and thereby to let all peoples live free and unmolested in their homelands.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
That,fellist, is exactly what I want and have always wanted. To live free and unmolested in my homeland.What a lovely way of putting it!Thanks.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Cheers, MLJ, I lifted it from Wilson’s ‘Fourteen Points’ address to the US Congress.
The many subjugated peoples of the world post-WWI wanted self-determination – some of us still do – and Wilson gave a great speech expressing his support for that ideal. He said that the non-Turkish peoples of the Ottoman Empire should be:
“assured an undoubted security of life and an absolutely unmolested opportunity of autonomous development”
– it’s what all people want, and it’s very hard to argue that they shouldn’t be given it, especially if, like NothingBritish and the establishment parties, you absolutely insist that certain peoples enjoy that advantage and just as absolutely insist others can’t.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
me too im not a fan of molestation either… and boys your homeland is my homeland too. remember what you learnt at school play nicely and share lol
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
this land is your land,this land is my land ,from the northern highlands to the western islands from the hils of kerry to the streets of derry this land was made for you and me….my uncle used to chant that at parties
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I think U2 stole that for a song lyric?
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Good band ,dropped the ball after joshua tree though with the exception of “one” which is simply one of the greatest songs ever written
And bono the “humanitarian” gets on my tits
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I resent mega rich dicks like him telling me how to spend my money or save my carbon emissions as they jet around the world.
“To save it we had to destroy it” wasn’t that something Colonel Kurtz said in “Apocalypse now” or maybe “Dr Strangelove”?
Like or Dislike:
0 
0