Yesterday must have been the hottest day in London for some time with corresponding humidity. So it just had to be the the day I was booked to take part in a television panel discussion underneath the hottest lights ever. But still, tant pis as the French may say.
I was, in fact, in a programme entitled “Should Europe be scared of the rise of the far right?” on Press TV chaired by Andrew Gilligan of sexed up Iraq dossier fame, who is also a journalist of the year. With me were Weyman Bennett, Secretary of Unite Against Fascism, Chris Banbury, Socilaist Worker Editor and the Media Officer of Silvio Berlusconi’s party, Maurizio Morabito. The format was like BBC Question Time with the four of us answering questions from a studio audience.
Despite three of us (Weyman, Chris and myself) being on the same side regarding the far right, we had a lively discussion. One of the most interesting points was whether the BNP should be given a platform – in other words should we debate with them on a programme such as the one in which we were taking part. Weyman and Chris were against as they took the view that it would only legitimise the BNP, and since they do not believe in democracy they shouldn’t be afforded any such platform.
My view is different. We have to recognise that the BNP now have elected representatives, and, much though I despise and detest the BNP who are a racist, fascist and Nazi party, they are nevertheless here. I therefore think we must take them on and expose their appalling propaganda. Nick Griffin, for instance, denies the holocaust took place, while Mark Collett, leader of the BNP youth wing is on record as saying “National Socialism was the best solution for the German people in the 1930s. I honestly can’t understand how a man who’s seen the inner city hell of Britain today can’t look back on that era [Hitler’s Germany] with a certain nostalgia.”
I do not believe Europe is in the grip of a far right resurgence. While it is true that far right parties did well in the European elections, we should also remember that this vote is traditionally a time for protest. Although Labour did badly in the last European elections in 2004, we went on to win the general election a year later. However, I would warn against complacency, especially when it turns into arrogance. There is unprecedented delusion and despair surrounding politics in Britain and the standing of MPs is at an all time low. We, MEPs included, need to listen more and conduct ourselves with more humility. We are, after all, nothing if we are not the elected servants of the people.
Mary, what were you doing on Press TV – the voice of the Iranian regime – and debating with two members of the SWP to boot?
Nick,
How are you? Good to see you read my blog. Although I do not support the Iranian regime in any way, I thought it was important to debate the issue of the far right in Europe. There are few other topics I would have debated on either PressTV or with SWP members. Rest assured I will not make a habit of it. I do also hold the view that it is important to engage as you will see regarding my comments on the BNP.
Hello Mary. It’s been nice meeting you at PressTV.
One of the points made during the programme is that the far-rightists take advantage of the divisions among mainstream political parties. I am afraid you are perpetuating those divisions. I can assure you that Silvio Berlusconi’s party, “The People of Freedom” (“Popolo della Liberta'”) is on your “same side regarding the far right”.
In fact, there is no Party in the Italian governing coalition that could be described as belonging to the “far right” by any stretch of the imagination.
We, just like the European People’s Party as a whole, have the fight against all forms of fascism of old and new as one of our foundation stones. And let me be proud of the fact that throughout all recent elections all Italian far-rightists have been losing voters to the point of effectively disappearing from the political spectrum.
Why are things looking different in the UK? This is not something one can answer in a blog’s comment area. Because it takes time to analyse, then to understand what is peculiar about British politics and society. Such a strong and long-standing Parliamentary Democracy as yours, truly the envy of the world, still manages to inspire the rise of absolutely nasty and repugnant parties like the BNP. Why?
Likewise, Europe is a big place, and there is no chance to fight back at the ugly racist and neo-nazi ideas being banded around without having a good look at the peculiarities of each country’s political system and society.
I therefore urge you and everybody else interested in European politics to make the effort to understand the particular circumstances that regard each country. I know it is a huge effort, there’s now 27 of them.
But the last thing we should be doing is mindlessly sticking labels around. By making sweeping statements, sometimes based on what is summarily reported in the media by distracted journalists perhaps with a particular précis to follow, the risk is to create artificial divisions among what is an overwhelmingly anti-fascist electorate, effectively presenting tens of millions with the choice between feeling disenfranchised, and voting for the racists.
ps personally, I do not think there is anything to discuss with the BNP’s representatives. I am sure you will agree that it is impossible to change the mind of a Holocaust denialist on any subject. If I were a British politician, what I would be more interested into would be to share a platform with the BNP voters.
It is them, the ones we should all be working to welcome back to our world.
Hello Mary. It’s been nice meeting you at PressTV.
One of the points made during the programme is that the far-rightists take advantage of the divisions among mainstream political parties. I am afraid you are perpetuating those divisions. I can assure you that Silvio Berlusconi’s party, “The People of Freedom” (“Popolo della Liberta'”) is on your “same side regarding the far right”.
In fact, there is no Party in the Italian governing coalition that could be described as belonging to the “far right” by any stretch of the imagination.
We, just like the European People’s Party as a whole, have the fight against all forms of fascism of old and new as one of our foundation stones. And let me be proud of the fact that throughout all recent elections all Italian far-rightists have been losing voters to the point of effectively disappearing from the political spectrum.
Why are things looking different in the UK? This is not something one can answer in a blog’s comment area. Because it takes time to analyse, then to understand what is peculiar about British politics and society. Such a strong and long-standing Parliamentary Democracy as yours, truly the envy of the world, still manages to inspire the rise of absolutely nasty and repugnant parties like the BNP. Why?
Likewise, Europe is a big place, and there is no chance to fight back at the ugly racist and neo-nazi ideas being banded around without having a good look at the peculiarities of each country’s political system and society.
I therefore urge you and everybody else interested in European politics to make the effort to understand the particular circumstances that regard each country. I know it is a huge effort, there’s now 27 of them.
But the last thing we should be doing is mindlessly sticking labels around. By making sweeping statements, sometimes based on what is summarily reported in the media by distracted journalists perhaps with a particular précis to follow, the risk is to create artificial divisions among what is an overwhelmingly anti-fascist electorate, effectively presenting tens of millions with the choice between feeling disenfranchised, and voting for the racists.
ps personally, I do not think there is anything to discuss with the BNP’s representatives. I am sure you will agree that it is impossible to change the mind of a Holocaust denialist on any subject. If I were a British politician, what I would be more interested into would be to share a platform with BNP voters. It is them, the ones we should all be working to welcome back to our world.