Fraser Nelson Fraser Nelson

Question Time conundrum

I was a panelist on Question Time last night, and it started me thinking about how they will handle the BNP episode – which I expect fairly soon. Make no mistake, a Question Time slot is as big for the BNP as winning seats in Europe. When I was on the campaign trail with them for a cover story in June, I noticed how they would refer to Question Time as a goal – almost as much as getting to Brussels. It represents one thing: the political mainstream. With two MEPs and almost a million voters the BNP have a legitimate claim to that Question Time panel. For them, it is totemic. It will be an historic moment – and one which could work to the BNP’s favour.

It is fashionable to claim that the media spotlight will expose Nick Griffin for the racist thug that he is, and that Question Time will be the end of him. Anyone making this argument has no experience of the BNP or understanding of its support. Here are some arguments I’d like to advance…

1. Nick Griffin is not a stupid man. He is a hugely talented debater and got to where he is by being mentally agile. He specialises in sounding reasonable, and portraying his opponents as extremists. This is what he has been doing for twenty years – and, judging by the steady rise of votes, doing it rather well. Mosley’s blackshirts did not come close achieving the mass support that the BNP have now.

2. Westminster politicians don’t know how to debate the BNP. Mostly, they shout ‘racist’ down a microphone – and that’s as close as they get. It’s precisely the shrilness of this tactic which drives BNP support. The Westminster system is focused on swing voters in swing seats.

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