Question Time

Nick Griffin was offered a place on question time
From the Mail

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1211501/BNP-leader-invited-Question-Time.html

I see no reason for this to be controversial; they are a legitimate political party (in the sense that they field a significant number of candidates at elections), I'd have thought the other parties would be happy to have the opportunity to rip their policies to pieces - surely nobody would equate "sharing a platform" on well known format such as Question Time as endorsing their views, quite the opposite in fact.

I'm guessing the timing comes just as they are about to celebrate their 30th Birthday, although im sure that's just coincidence.

Well it would make a change from the extreme left-wing domination there usually is on the show.

Seriously, those refusing to share a platform with the BNP should get off their high horses and engage in some intelligent debate with them. Voters are capable of making their own mind up, provided the facts of what parties stand for are laid out - this won't happen for as long as the BNP are ignored by the rest of the parties, as the 'racisty-bits' won't be challenged.

It will be a good debate for sure, and too see there policies be beaten to pieces, and I think they should allow other more 'extreme' parties on like the English Democrats, and even the Christian Parties, as they represent 300,000 people's votes and there cause should be heard, anyone with over 150,000 votes in any election should be heard, its called democracy, and all the people are always right, so those people must have a voice, whether it be on question time, or on anything else, I say bring it on.

I certainly agree with you there Phil: If they are trying dissuade people from voting for the BNP, surely the best thing is to expose their views, rather than sweep them under the carpet.

In a way people refusing to acknowledge or debate with the BNP, or trying to silence them, makes them just as totalitarian the BNP is. It's ironic when you consider that many prominent Labour figures have been involved in communist politics, and nobody seems to care-- and communist regimes have been proven to be just as horrific as fascist ones.

Although I'm puzzled as to why many in the media refer to the BNP as "far" right. Left vs right wing boils down to how much control the state has over economics: Thus far-left is communism, far-right is a totally unregulated market.

However the BNP wants (neo-fascist) state-control over such things, which would be against the idea of totally free market-- so that would not make the BNP "far" right? They are far-authoritarian yes (this can apply to left or right), but not "far" right I would venture.

Either way, I would make it clear that I don't (and would never) support the BNP-- I consider them to be a vile bunch of people.

Left-Right politics is a broader term than just economics - it applies to the overall outlook of the party. You seem to be confusing Capitalistic and Communistic economics with the political spectrum. Fascists, which the BNP are sometimes described as, generally follow the "Third Position" regarding economics.

And, seeing as the BNP - in its current form - was founded in 1982, it can't be celebrating its 30th Birthday this year.

Question Time is 30, not the BNP.

"BBC Parliament celebrates the 30th anniversary of Question Time with a look back at its inaugural episode, first aired in 1979 and chaired by Sir Robin Day"

as an asian myself, let the BNP come on, spew their racist views, and the audience throw eggs in their faces!

OK, that won't happen, but it will be interesting to see how the Beeb edit this.

there should not!




what day will this be?

The first show, according to the fountain of all knowledge (Wikipedia), was 25th September 1979 - so possibly on the day.

as I posted in the Parliament thread ......

Question Time
Friday 25 September 9.00-10.00pm - BBC PARLIAMENT

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the BBC's flagship topical discussion programme, BBC Parliament is re-broadcasting Question Time's original edition, first broadcast on 25 September 1979 and chaired by Robin Day

more ....