11/11/2006

Labour must wake up to causes of BNP support

The BBC and The Telegraph have stories today highlighting Labour MP Jon Cruddas' view that Labour have left a vacuum which the BNP has filled.

I agree with much of what has been written in the articles. The most important recognition of cailure is when he says :

“Some communities have been badly affected by a decline in traditional industries, a shortage of affordable housing and changing migration patterns. Society is becoming fragmented.
There is also widespread disillusionment and distrust with party politics. Decision-making is becoming removed from local communities and voters are feeling increasingly powerless.”


Actually, one part of this is wrong. He says people distrust political parties. I don't actually believe this. What they distrust are politicians who mislead, lie and promise the world but fail to deliver (David Cameron take note !)

Labour's government of spin has put people off Labour, and this is more pronounced amongst the traditional working classes who feel most let down by Labour. I know many former Labour voters who have not turned to the BNP or become racists, but in part that is because there has been another party of politician to fill the void left.

I also think that Labour have taken their core vote for granted. John Cruddas is right to highlight the housing problems, but also why are there not police on the streets in the poorest areas ? Why are council's forced to sell off their council housing because the government refuses to let council borrow money to bring the houses up to a decent standard ? Why are the government tightening the purse strings for councils forcing community centres and other voluntary organisations which ease community cohesion to close or stop their activities ?

Why won't Labour really take on the BNP ? In the North of England, the Liberal Democrats set up a team of activists to really go for the BNP in local by-elections and provide advice to councillors facing the BNP. This is why the BNP have lost seats in Burnley and this is why they have never made the big breakthrough in Oldham. So what do Labour do ? Margaret Hodge talks up their chances of winning and in doing so gifts them a number of council seats in Barking and Dagenham and gives them publicity the like of which thye could only dream of.

As for Labour MP's saying that the law must be changed in order to convict Nick Griffin, the BNP leader, after his acquittal yesterday, I would strongly disagree. I despise the what the BNP stands for, but instead of changing the law, why not change the policy of the government.

The BNP can only trive in a vacuum, and the government's policies are what is creating that vacuum. Address the problems that cause people to support a racist party like the BNP rather than trying to gerrymander the law in order to gain a conviction for party political purposes.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

This case was doomed to fail as there is obviously a huge difference between racial and religious hatred.

I often write about Norfolk issues, I live just over the border in Cambs, but I know your neck of the woods very well.

Nich Starling said...

I've just read your blog. Very interesting reading overall. I'll give you a link. What should I link you under ?

Nich Starling said...

Oh, I see, you are another Tory blogger. Your blog comments on news and is not talking about yourself all the time like some Tory blogs do. I link you under the Tory blogs part of my blog, if thats alright by you.

Anonymous said...

Good post..

http://davehill.typepad.com/temperama/2006/11/sunday_service_1.html

..and nice blog. Best Wishes.

Anonymous said...

If you agree with much of what he has written, then explain which part you don't agree with?

I'm sending you a labour membership application based upon your own thoughts.

Welcome.

Gary

Tristan said...

I'm in full agreement here.

The LibDems are doing good work, we need to keep it up and keep going and get the liberal message across.
Give an alternative to the socialism of Old Labour and the BNP, one which gives people opportunity and respect.

There is a massive vacuum in politics in many areas, and this must be filled, preferably by Liberal Democrats (although we do need an ecosystem - the Labour monoculture is what has led to this)

Pages