Firstly, I abhor the BNP and fully understand that they are essentially a racist party which has no place in British politics.
However, imagine that it was they, instead of Jack Straw, who had said that Muslim women should not wear veils. Can you imagine that there would have been support from the Labour Party? Not a chance mate - they would have had scorn poured upon them as racists who were destroying our multiracial society.
2006-10-23 11:21:40 · 12 answers · asked by Essex Ron 5 in Politics & Government ➔ Government
Funny that - I think you have a point - does it make it any different though ?
What does it actually say about Labour ?
2006-10-23 13:40:21 · answer #1 · answered by LongJohns 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The BNP missed out on that one. From what I've been reading, people who I thought were reasonable and balanced, were up in arms about the veil. The BNP should have taken that argument over and doubled its council seat holdings. But what people do not realise about what Jack Straw was saying ( and its because hes Jewish) is that he is quite nervous because of the risk of suicide bombers. The veil is sometimes used by men in Israel for suicide bombings as a disguise. He did not think he wanted to take such risks. So Jack may be scared but what about the rest of us?
2006-10-23 19:40:30 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
The BNP have a right to their opinions. They should also have the right to as much free speech as anyone else in this country without being constantly vilified in the press.
Remember the old adage in physics: ''Every action has an equal and opposite reaction''
It applies in politics too. The BNP did not just materialise out of nowhere, but out of concerns that a lot of English people feel regarding the drastic influx of coloured and muslim people, and that this influx has passed any acceptable level. It is changing the character of our country and a lot of thinkers are now beginning to see that the immigration policy has been a major mistake.
Not everybody in England is happy to see their country swamped with unwelcome immigrants!!
2006-10-24 04:58:44 · answer #3 · answered by George 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
As the BNP itself is "veiled" in extreme policies & ideas, if they were to make the same remarks as Jack Straw , then I think it is a forgone conclusion that this remark could only ever be perceived as being very racist and over the top. The BNP is not a serious thinkers party and one which is not known for taking balanced view.
However, the 3 main party's (tory/labour/liberals) are not perceived as extreme and allow open and sensible debate, hence, with this type of background, you can see why the veiles issue is not immediately / necessarily perceived as being a racist issue / remark , but instead a healthy vote for open democratic debate to discuss an important issue.
The bottom line is that people can't take the BNP seriously as they stiffle healthy debate and only subscribe to one point of view. Your point is not exactly a revelation, as practically anything they say is based or steeped in racism, and the veils example just seeks to show just what people would think about the BNP should it decide to open its mouth about this issue.
2006-10-23 19:24:23 · answer #4 · answered by Daredevil 2 · 2⤊ 4⤋
Good point, Essex...all sides of the press would have kicked BNP rear - but a couple would indeed have agreed with them, however - would have followed the herd just to sell more of their papers. Remembering the Conservatives in the early eighties, who would (for the cameras) sneer at racists, but would take on rare NF politics now and then, and water them down for punters in the Home Counties and Cheshire...and as New Labour has been called 'Tory lite', it appears they have cherry picked a few Conservative policies of the early eighties.
Nice one, Sarah...why has Mr. Straw, who has been MP for Blackburn (30% Muslim) since 1979 feels he aught to do it now?
2006-10-23 18:37:32 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Well they have been trying to get the "Muslims are traitors and weirdos" argument going for some time now, but Jack Straw (kn0bhead that he is) managed to start this furore in the most crass way. But we still have large numbers uncomfortable with trad Islamic dress - even if it is by choice, it still seems odd that women should cover up. Smacks of an unhealthy attitude to female sexuality doesn't it?
2006-10-23 18:30:56 · answer #6 · answered by HonestTom 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The outcome would have been the same! everybody now is targeting Muslims, the British media is daily attacking Islam and Muslims. The politicians are competing among each other who can insult Muslims more. It is all planned, starting with what Bush said "New Crusade", what happened in Denmark with the cartoon, what the Pope said few month ago, what Bush again said last month about"Islamic Fascist"...all aim for one thing alienate Muslims and try to oppress them and get them out of the west as their numbers was increasing! The veil is one of a very long series still to come, just wait and see!
BNP is nothing but racist thugs. The majority of them are jobless, low educated, ex prisoners, ...It seems that they are touching the heart of some British with the same background!!
2006-10-23 18:36:44 · answer #7 · answered by Abularaby 4 · 0⤊ 5⤋
They would have been condemned. And New Labour would have lead to condemnation.
This "national debate" about the veils is designed to distract attention from the "internal divisions" in New Labour.
2006-10-24 05:00:21 · answer #8 · answered by karlrogers2001 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The so called 'veil' argument gets the same response from me whether the BNP proposes it or Jack Straw.
We have never stopped women wearing the veil and there is no good reason to do so now, any more than forcing men to take off their turbans or skullcaps, or their rosaries.
Its a fake argument. They are no more threatening than Brazilian plumbers on trains.
2006-10-23 18:41:24 · answer #9 · answered by sarah c 7 · 5⤊ 3⤋
The BNP have a voice that should be allowed to be heard. We have freedom of speech and this means that the BNP have every right to view their stand pont and make known their policies.
It is interesting that they seem to be quiet at the moment.
Can't blame them as the current debates and arguments in the headlines are doing enough damage to their own causes that the BNP's job is going to be easy at the next election.
For myself, I want to hear from all political parties and that includes the BNP. Would be great to see some hard core policies from them that would help me understand more about them as a political party rather than a right wing extremist group.
2006-10-23 18:34:46 · answer #10 · answered by Steve J H 2 · 3⤊ 4⤋