The BNP and Question Time

This isn't exactly a new story, but as the BNP's first appearance on Question Time is due this week and Peter Hain has just questioned the BBC on the legality of the party it seemed like an appropriate time to talk about it.

First off I suppose it might be best (if probably unnecessary given the tone of this site) to stress that I in no way support the BNP or their policies. Their policies ARE racist and, by their own admission, currently illegal.

However, I find it highly disturbing that such a large number of people in this country wish to effectively ban the party from appearing on the programme. The BNP have elected seats and like it or not free expression of ideas to the public is a corner stone of a democratic system. Much as we may like to eradicate racist ideas, suppression of free speech simply isn't an acceptable method of doing it.

It can't be a matter of only suppressing clearly 'immoral' ideas, we simply don't have any position from which to make that kind of judgement. Look at the pro-choice/ pro-life debate. Those on the extreme end of the anti-abortion side view it is as outright murder of a defenseless child, and legalising it (I presume) as equally or more abhorent than disallowing citizenship to non-whites. I think most people would agree however, that letting them ban appearances from 'pro-baby murderers' would involve missing the point of the debate, and also grossly undermining free speech.

The BNP are a nasty and deceitful organisation who should be argued down and highlighted for exactly what they are. Pointing these facts out is the job of every rival politician and news organisation in the country and should be done so without hesitation. That said, repressing an established party's freedom to speak because you disagree with their politics is the gateway to a very, very scary road.