The wonders of democracy work well with some people. In a free vote it's up to the people to choose whom they want to represent them. If you don't like the result, well, you've probably lost the argument. Labour lost much of the argument in London and elsewhere due to the 10p tax fiasco. Now we are getting crodocile tears mixed up with cupboard love. I've seen Harriet Harman dishing out this mawkish monotone today and it is unconvincing.
In London, Richard Barnes, the Conservative leader on the 25-member assembly, has said, "The BNP will have problems finding secretaries and getting support from the staff here, and I will totally support people's right to say they don't want to serve them. They may have a foot in the door but they won't get anywhere near the levers of power." Mr.Barnes may think he's being clever, but I think it just shows a lack of judgement and a denial of the democratic process. The lack of judgement is that this poncy behaviour, much beloved of New Labour, just plays into the hands of the BNP. In fact, they are now threatening legal action if Barnes and others prevent Barnbrook from getting the support he is entitled to. It shows also a lack of imagination in dealing with the BNP. If Barnes and the Conservative group have no real policies to counter those of the BNP, then that's a loss to the democratic process. We've had all sorts of mixed messages on immigration, policing, and multi-cultural funding from the Conservatives, so it is little wonder that Barnbrook was able to capitalise on this.
But it is also a denial of the democratic process. Richard Barnes is basically saying the same as Brigadier Terence Clarke did 40-odd years ago in Portsmouth. Clarke lost to Labour and he promptly denounced the voters (including his own, it seemed) as "You're all bloody fools!". I'm sure Barnes thinks similar things about BNP voters. However, denouncing the electorate and getting into high dudgeon does little good.
I don't want to see the BNP given anything other their legal rights. If it is the considered opinion of the "main parties" that certain political parties are banned, let them do so. Otherwise it is what the electorate chooses and not the self-serving paragons of virtue. I will never vote BNP, but I will also never behave with such schoolboy antics as Richard Barnes is now embarking on.
Like it or not, over 1 million people in Britain are prepared to vote BNP. The London poll showed that over a quarter do not want the three main parties and are prepared to say so in the ballot box. Richard Barnes should grow up politically and realise that support for the BNP is based quite a bit on the fact that sleaze continues in Parliament, lies have been told about Iraq, and generally politicians are held in low esteem. The way forward is for the Conservative Party to address the concerns of the people, clean up their personal expenses act, and deliver meaningful policies. That way lies a successful Conservative Party.
The nationalised railway loses too much money with poor service
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The present debate about whether to nationalise the railway overlooks one
crucial fact. In 2002 Labour did nationalise all the track, signals and
stations ...
23 hours ago
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2 comments:
I quite agree, this sort of thing merely plays right into the hands of the BNP, they can claim victimisation by the establishment.
The only way to answer the BNP is to expose their policies and have credible answers and solutions to them. Richard Barnes is playing right into their hands.
One Conservative MP, Alan Duncan, said he would be glad to take them on in debate, but mostly the Conservatives just play the same game as New Labour. Shame.
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