How the BNP moved into the political mainstream

The reluctance of the three main parties to tackle sensitive issues that matter to many voters is driving people into the arms of extremists

FIRST POSTED FEBRUARY 23, 2009

Last week, the BNP were cock-a-hoop at taking a seat on Sevenoaks district council. It was, their candidate said, a breakthrough, even if it was one prompted by vigorous canvassing on a classic BNP issue – allocation of council houses to asylum seekers. There are though, growing signs that the BNP's message is gaining ground.

But how is it that a party that wants its 12,000 members to be sufficiently "Norse" and whose constitution uses the word "folkish", is edging closer and closer to the political mainstream? Why are so many people voting for the BNP?

In the centre of Durham, one recent Saturday, I walked past a Trotskyist stall, manned by undergraduates, and a BNP one, run by men in early middle age, all with accents from no further than five miles outside Durham. While the Trots were ignored, the BNP was swamped.

Many in the North-East are concerned about a loss of sovereignty

How come? There are no asylum seekers in County Durham, and visible ethnic minorities account for only one per cent of the population. At the last census, the district of Easington was found to be the least ethnically diverse area in Britain.

No, the reason why the BNP inspire such interest is because neither Labour, the Tories, or the Lib Dems are talking about the issues that worry people here.

The BNP is prospering because the mainstream parties are ignoring people's concerns

Many in the North-East, and, indeed, around the country, are concerned about a loss of sovereignty, whether to the European Union, to the United States, or to global capital. And about the practical consequences of this loss, from the Common Fisheries Policy, to the Iraq War, to the credit crunch.

They are concerned about a new working class whose members understand no English except words of command, know little or nothing about workers' rights here, can be moved around the country at will, and deported if they step out of line. Deference to Islam is another complaint.

A lot of people really are worried by these things. I am. So why aren't the three main parties? Proper Labourites, or Conservatives, or Liberals would be.

Otherwise, people are talking about the erosion of the traditional family and its values, not least on the airwaves; about lap-dancing clubs; about the deregulation of drinking and gambling; about how the Police and the Crown Prosecution Service have effectively

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An excellent article. One other aspect that occurs to me is the sense of futility associated with a vote for any of the mainstream parties. The people are all the same; mostly career or wanabe politicians distinguished only by different coloured rosettes. Few, if any, have actually achieved anything substantial themselves in life before entering politics. Having had some contact with both my MP and MEPs, I am completely disillusioned by them. Mostly patronising windbags. These people serve no useful purpose other than to feed the BBC and Fleet Street with soundbites. I'd describe myself as a libertarian, but can see how people might vote for the BNP from a sense of frustration. The BNP, by suggesting that it will actually do something radical and address issues of widespread concern, has a USP.

Posted by AsboChav at 6:56pm on February 23, 2009

Our MPs and MEPs are just enjoying their extra allowances , John Lewis accounts, a handsome pension, plus a fine salary, and the certain knowledge with the help of the worst Speaker in history, that it will continue unhindered. As for the BNP we should be under no illusion, we would end up in a Nazi state if they god forbid ever got power. They wear suits, don't rant and rave and incite, but they are still just plain fascists, and with their parnters the Loony Left, can never be trusted.

Posted by sidney sands at 11:09am on February 24, 2009

I've been writing about this for years. The ruling elite are totally out of touch along with the media, and ignore the one big subject that concerns everyone of whatever nationality, immigration. Any attempt to discuss multiculturalism and whether it really is such a good thing is met with allegations of racism, any criticism of the way Muslims are constantly pampered to is met with allegations of Islamophobia, as criticisms of Israel are labelled anti-Semitism, and there's a blank refusal to debate which enhances the BNP because they will address these issues. Hazel Blears saw the writing on the wall and is the only Labour politician to even mention it so far. The rest tow the PC line like good little chatterati clones. The only argument I have with this article is the writer's inclusion of cannabis, as in 'the Police and Crown Prosecution service have effectively legalised cannabis'; if they had it would be a move in their favour, and would make government much more popular since the majority of people have no problem with it being legalised since it's freely available anyway.

Posted by Peter Simmons at 11:10am on February 24, 2009

Although I personally would never vote for the BNP - as has been mentioned already, we should be under no illusions as to what their election would mean - on reading this article I can see why many people would vote for them. It is true that the main political parties generally ignore or only tentatively touch upon issues such as immigration, and if anything is said "out of place", as we now deem it, there is a furore. Perhaps one of the reasons the BNP can make such arguments is because people expect it of them, but never take heed or think them valid until times of trouble, such as a recession. We almost take it for granted that they will punt such messages, and although I disagree ultimately with their fundamental principles, I cannot help but see their point of view. I think many people would be in a similar position, and share this opinion; and perhaps this is what the main political parties have to be wary of.

Posted by Katy Docherty at 11:17pm on February 24, 2009

Very good article. I am a Jew, and would feel very uncomfortable if the BNP ever got into power, but I agree with them that the ruling elites in the US, Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and other democracies are ignoring the real issues that touch the people, as stated in this article.

Posted by John Valentine at 5:47pm on February 25, 2009

I am going to register to vote for the first time in my life, for the express purpose of voting BNP. I hate what this country has turned in to and right now the only solution seems to be the British National Party.

Posted by L R at 7:03am on February 26, 2009

Whilst i wouldn't vote BNP they are surely moving into more mainstream politics. This is an inevitable and in some ways welcome movement. Lets not forget that the Labour party and associated unions were once infested with hard core communists. So the idea of the BNP evolving onto a more mainstream manifesto is natural. At the moment they are asking the questions that many people want answered, and the 2 big parties appear to be deaf to all.

Posted by Gary O'Brien at 3:13pm on February 26, 2009

This is extremly interesting. Living in the USA I can certainly appreciate this point of view. We are being swamped by illegal aliens crossing on the Mexican border. Mexican, Columbian and various assortments of gangs and yes, terrorists, practically walk across the border. Phoenix Arizona has become the kidnaping capital of THE WORLD!! They are kidnaping, murdering and bringing in tons and tons of drugs. We had a case where a group of illegal aliens sued a border rancher because he was stopping them from crossing his land with the threat of weapons and turning them over to the US border patrol. Through the years they have broken into his home, killed his animals and made a mess of his property. THE ILLEGALS WON!!! Our politicians are doing the same thing yours are. Ignoring us. We need workers because we have aborted millions of Americans since Roe V Wade thus they pander to ILLEGALS. Illegals get free hospital care, food stamps, housing etc etc ad nauseum. Democrats and Republicans are almost the same party. In some cases you can't tell which is which. Pat Buchanan is the closest to the BNP philosphy. We need an ANP

Posted by Donald Harris at 7:06am on February 27, 2009

Even the comments above show the virulent tendencies that no longer need hide in the shadows, purely because of the absolute refusal/inability of the main parties to engage, debate and persuade. Instead they utter platitudes which are as anodyne as they are completely interchangeable. There's a saying in OZ, "yer not wrong" which does NOT mean that you are right, just that you have a point. If none of our soi disant "representatives" in parliament are listening, and would they, then sooner rather than later the voters most disgruntled are going elsewhere, even to their own disgust out of sheer desperation. Now there is the added ingredient of economic collapse, removing the bread & circuses that have, thus far, kept the majority quiescent. As Lennon sang, a quarter century ago, "..keep you drugged with religion, sex & TV..". Weimar will look like a picnic.

Posted by allan kessing at 11:19am on March 7, 2009