People Like You

The council election results have provided a major source of relief in the lack of a splash made by the BNP. At the time of going to press (always wanted to say that) they're showing a net gain of one councillor across Great Britain. This despite their concerted push in strategically targetting the middle class in rural areas in addition to the seats where they've traditionally gained support, and fielding a record 754 candidates, more than double the number that stood last year. With voter turnout inevitably low in these affairs, the fear was that they would make great strides. Indeed, their own prediction was they'd pass the 100 councillor mark.

Well, they didn't. Aside from increased support in Wales and very nearly gaining a seat on the Assembly, they've completely stood still. Considering these mid-term local elections are generally when they're most likely to pick up the protest vote, they must be deeply disappointed. Maybe now all the failed candidates will find other things to with their time rather than politics. Maybe even returning to old hobbies like dressing up as German troopers and re-enacting WWII battles.

People Like You/Fascists Like Us - Voting BNP


'People Like You'. That was their heartwarming tag-line for this election campaign. It says it all really doesn't it. People like you, who like you if you're not unlike them, but like to dislike you if you are. I appreciate their semantics if nothing else.

I accept the BNP's role as a necessary evil in democracy. Having them as a legitimate (I use the word loosely) minority party helps with keeping tabs on the swirling current of racist and easily-led elements of the electorate. Refusing parties like the BNP any platform atall - as the Anti-Nazi League would have it - would only exacerbate the situation, especially given the general upturn in casual racism and xenephobia over the past few years. Let them have their say, show themselves up, and then drum them down even more - that's the way to do it.