The democratic process in this country has really taken a beating over the past couple of weeks due to the Telegraph’s publication of MP’s expense claims, and rightly, most of us are pretty outraged over the levels of greed which have been uncovered. The majority of us have finally woken up to the fact that some people in public office aren’t there to serve – well maybe only themselves.
However, even though our anger is fully justified, there’s a danger that it could be channeled into the wrong places with disastrous effects. Namely, that we punish our elected officials in the upcoming European Elections by voting for minority parties with less-than-ideal ideals. The two which come under the brightest spotlights are the UKIP and the BNP.
The UKIP seem to be delusional about the role of Europe in the ‘downfall of Britain’. They seem to believe that most of the ills of our society stem from our integration with Europe and only breaking with Europe will ‘free our nation’. Even though most of these ideas are fundamentally flawed, UKIP are still fairly innocuous. This is stark contrast with the BNP. Most of the mainstream press has shied away from giving too much time to the BNP from fear of giving voice to their ideas. However, I’m of the opinion that the only way of defeating fascists is through free and clear outcry of their hatred.
Over the past few years, under the leadership of Nick Griffin, the BNP has tried to smarten up it’s image and shake off it’s reputation as a hang-out for National Front skinheads. Their representatives wear ties and hold family fun days. This smartening of racism is the kind of behaviour which may trick some voters suffering from feelings of apathy and anger at the current Government into voting for the BNP. Griffin’s gang has become quite good at putting on the front that they care for the British worker, the British taxpayer, and the British soldier. Even though this may be the case, the shoddiness of their latest Party Political Broadcast still suggests that intelligent and creative individuals refuse to work for racists (see Charlie Brooker’s Guardian column) - which is a great sign.
Even if you are feeling angry at Labour, Conservative, or Liberal Democrat expense claims, just think what a BNP MP’s expense claim might look like:
£50 for White Cape and Hood,
£10 for 10 meters of Lynching Rope,
£75 for a Wooden Cross (including lighter fluid).
Don’t think that a vote for the BNP is ever going to lead to anything other than a country that is intolerant and bigoted, and that really isn’t what being British is about.