Let them have their say

Posted on Monday, 7 September 2009, 01:25 p.m.

Everyone seems to be getting their knickers in a twist at the moment as the BNP are to be allowed a spot on the BBC flagship political debate programme Question Time.
Let me state here, I am not a fan of the BNP in any way shape or form and would be horrified if they ever made significant gains but whether we like it or not people do vote for them and they do hold seats here and at the EU.
We claim to live in a democracy and to have freedom of speech, therefore they must be allowed to put their views across and compete with the other parties on the programme. They will need to stay within the law and should they break them be subject to the same punishment as the ordinary citizen.
Some people seem worried there will be a mass swath of support for them, or that they will say such hideous things that they will tarnish the reputation of the country, frankly the release of Lockerbie bomber Meghari on what increasingly looks like flimisy medical evidence has done that for us already. Letting them have their day may also prove how little meat they have on their political bones, allowing all of us to witness first hand what they have to say, how they put themselves across and indeed if they add any value to a genuine political debate.
All sorts of rubbish gets aired these days and if you really cannot stand it, press the off button!