Diary

26 April 2008

Trevor Phillips debates immigration and follows Chelsea in Europe

As we leave, an extraordinary thing happens. We have to edge past a phalanx of grim-faced men in tight suits. Preoccupied with how to condense my 50-minute speech into 30-second soundbites for a number of TV news crews waiting outside, I miss the fact that the BNP has booked an upstairs room for a meeting to mark the 40th anniversary of ‘rivers of blood’. They have a Powell lookalike on the bill, who breaks down in tears. I’m not sure why he was overwhelmed. It won’t have been by the charisma of their star turn. As I brushed past their leader Nick Griffin, he didn’t even register. If this is the best that right-wing populism can do, I think it’s clear why their only hope is the failure of conventional politics. Any success they have will be down to the frustrations of ordinary folk, who hold their noses and cast a protest vote for parties that they actually despise.

On Tuesday night, a last-minute own goal by Liverpool in our Champions League semi-final gives Chelsea the edge in the two-leg tie. If we can stop them scoring at Stamford Bridge, we’re in the final. My heart is full of gratitude to their Norwegian defender, John Arne Riise, who headed past his Spanish keeper. Thank God for foreigners, I say.

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David

April 24th, 2008 3:26pm Report this comment

"Other nations are cherry-picking the best while we fret over whether we can ‘afford’ more immigrants"

Er, no, other nations are also fretting whether they can afford more immigrants too. What world are you living in?

rhory fraser

April 25th, 2008 5:42pm Report this comment

Who elected Racistfinder General Trevor Phillips and what exactly is the nature of this platform from which he hectors the rest of the population with his absurd, unrepresentative opinions? Our backpockets.

And the idea that Nick Griffin doesn't recognise Trevor Phillips when he and his party have outflanked him with a clever stunt by booking the hotel room next to theirs, is pure self-delusion

David Preiser

April 26th, 2008 6:14pm Report this comment

Why do dance around the real problem with football metaphors about "integration"? Wouldn't you have more effect if you just spelled it out that people's real concern is that too many concessions granted to immigrants will result in the natives being forced to surrender all of their own values?

Cui Nono

April 27th, 2008 5:42pm Report this comment

Here is my chance to thank you and your colleagues in the race industry for your efforts over the years in making this country a paradise of racial and cultural harmony. Had we been asked, we could not have wished for better.

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