The BNP

Categories: life-and-musings

Date: 20 November 2008 12:11:05

So, the BNP’s membership list for 2007 has been leaked, and is now on various places on the internet. (Note for foreign types, I am not talking about the Banque Nationale de Paris, but the British National Party,* a thoroughly unpleasant, right wing, racist party), and people have been using this information to make threats against the lives and jobs of people on the list.**

Now, whilst I can understand some peoples’ jobs being under threat, since it is illegal for a serving police officer or prison officer to be a member of the BNP and similar right-wing parties, because it is indicative that you may not be able to do your job with utter impartiality, for other people to be threatened with losing their employment in this manner is unacceptable in a liberal democracy (which we claim to be in the UK).

The publishing of this membership list was unequivocally wrong, especially as the details of children are on it. Being a member of the BNP is not illegal. Much as it pains me to say it, it is a duly-constituted political party in this country, and people have as much right to belong to it as they do to the Labour Party, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats, the Monster Raving Loony Party, or any other party, and, therefore, unless you happen to work in one of the very few professions where it is illegal to be a member, then your job should not be under threat, unless your beliefs carry over to actions, and you start treating your colleagues differently based on the colour of their skin.

If you want to fight against the BNP, do it by standing against them at elections, refusing to vote for them, and pointing out why they are wrong, not by phoning up people on the list and saying “your life is in danger, we know where you live.”

I do find it beyond ironic that Nick Griffin is trying to use The Human Rights Act, a piece of legislation his party has pledged to repeal, as part of his attempts to prevent the publication of this list, but, the law is blind, and everyone should be able to claim the protection of the law as it currently stands.

Although, to those clergy on the list – I have a word from the Lord for you:

11Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. 12Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. (Colossians 3: 11-12, New International Version).

And

27for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:27-29, New International Version).

I confess I find it utterly incomprehensible that people who are enjoined to preach a gospel of love can belong to a party of hate. I genuinely don’t understand.

*Oh, blimey, my stats are going to throw up all sorts of weird stuff after this post, I just know they are).
**NB I have edited this post slightly, having messed up (a) the bank's name and (b) the party's name.