Politics: Warning against the BNP

Once upon a time, in a land not far away, there came to prominence a group of men called The British Union of Fascists. These men were devoted anti-semites and had a great admiration for the fascist leaders of other countries such as Hitler, Mussolini, and Franco. They had gathered quite a following among the working classes, although among the leaders were members of the British establishment. When WWII began these people found themselves supporting the wrong side and the government enacted laws to prevent their activities. Many of the leaders were promptly arrested and the BUF was disolved and its' publications banned.

They say that history repeats itself and I am convinced that it often does. This last week prominent figures from the UK's major political parties have warned of a new, but similar, threat to democracy in the UK. The British National Party. The BNP is not new to British politics. But, with the increase of immigration due to the expansion of the European Union, the unprecedented flow of refugees from poverty and war around the world, and the tragic events of September 11th, 2001 and the ensuing wars that were engendered, the BNP has found itself a new political base amongst the children and grandchildren of those that once followed the BUF all those years ago.

They have enlisted much support in those areas where large numbers of immigrants and refugees have gathered. There have been marches and protests for and against the BNP.


The picture here is of some supporters of the BNP. They were marching through a city with a large multi-ethnic population. They are very much opposed to living in a multi-cultural society.



This picture is of opponents to the BNP. Both pictures were taken on the same day in the same place. These people, a very mixed crowd, were protesting the BNP marching through their town.

The major political parties, especially those on the right wing of British politics, are warning that people may begin voting for the BNP in ever increasing numbers. This is not solely a British problem. France has a Front National which is also racist and anti-semitic, and Germany has the NDP.

You may ask why I am writing about these political monsters. Well lately I have had made some rather unfriendly comments about the influence of religion on world politics. Two religions in particular have come in for quite a bit of criticism: Christianity and Islam. Personaly I would like to see them get married and live happily ever after and have happy, fat little children. But, while I criticize their undue influence on current world events, I am not opposed to their existence or their devotees.

I am wholeheartedly opposed to fascism and racism and bigotry. I believe that the things that seperate us from one another are wrong. Nationalism has brought nothing but war to the world, indeed it is the underlying neccessity for war. Religion and politics have also contributed to the seemingly continuous state of war that the world is in.

I do not support the politics of seperation and I would not encourage others to do so. So I would just like to add my voice to those others who are opposed to the BNP.