Thing is, his arguments are so weak that he's seemingly convinced a great many of Guardianista's that a) 'No Platform' doesn't work and b) he's a bit of a pillock.
Take his first point defending 'No Platform', according to Sunny the BNP's arguments can't be defeated through rational debate. That was never the case though was it Sunny? Their arguments can't be defeated because those who believe in their racial nationalism are in that mindset anyway. Rational debate however will expose their despicable policies to a wider audience. If rational debate doesn't work why write an article for Comment Is Free trying to change people's minds with....rational debate?
He then goes on and stumbles through a couple more points. Another which caught my eye was his assertion that 'No Platform' had a 'huge impact'.
It wasn't that long ago that the National Front and its affiliates were fearlessly marching through various streets in Britain and expressing support for the National Front was something to be proud of. "No Platform" changed that by actively trying to paint the BNP et al as extremist movements that right-thinking people should shun.In Sunny's eyes 'No Plaform' stopped the NF from marching and painted the 'BNP' as an extremist movement. In my eyes 'No Platform' stopped the NF from marching and forced one of it's leading lights Nick Griffin to change tactics and achieve unprecedented success for the extreme right. 'No Platform' basically gave birth to the BNP, it shaped their politics, it inspired their culture of victim hood and it delivered them the glittering prize of representation in Europe.
Two fascist MEP's are proof positive that 'No Platform' is no longer working.
4 Responses to “No Platform Blues”
I did write half a post on this, then gave up.
He argues that you cannot beat the BNP with rational debate, but then makes that case via rational debate...
Dear me.
Many on the Left might do themselves a big favour by talking TO the Working Class rather than AT them. Like it or not one of the reasons the BNP is growing as a political force is that they are listening to what people in traditional working class communities are actually saying.
Know Your Enemy, as they say...
Draig,
I agree - whether we like it or not, there is an anti-immigrant sentiment in many communities, the BNP play on that brilliantly.
If there is one that drives me crazy. Its being patronised by some middle class social worker leftist pillock. You debate the BNP same way I debate a fundamentalist baptist! you expose their arguments to the widest audience possible.
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