Comments on: Griffin vs the Chimera of Society

By: stuart lees

stuart lees — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 13:32:24 +0000

i have never seen a program with such a one sided audience led by a thouroughly one sided chairman who refused to lead any discussion that did not give the lynch mob another chance to attack nick griffin the last set up like this was when sitting bull massacred custer. the real facists were out side trying to prevent free speech. what a set up

By: jamesdsk

jamesdsk — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:23:12 +0000

It played out more like ITV’s “An Audience with…” and was a complete waste of the debate-structured QT format.

Where were the big guns – Ashdown, Clarke, Benn et al? Wasted opportunity.

By: Jane Rimmer

Jane Rimmer — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:01:21 +0000

However, my other comment/question is, that by us all discussing and debating this, aren’t we continuing the exposure of this vile person and his party?

By: Jane Rimmer

Jane Rimmer — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:59:53 +0000

I agree wholeheartedly – no issues were discussed that would have highlighted Griffin/BNP for their lack of any policies… the BBC did the right democratic thing by allowing/inviting him, what they failed to do was set the agenda for a “normal ” #bbcqt that would have truly exposed Griffin as an unsuitable human being let alone an elected MP

By: Stevoooo (c)

Stevoooo (c) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:44:55 +0000

The sad fact is that the ‘pitchfork’ audience mentality has ruined what would otherwise have been a good opportunity to watch Griffin squirm as his ‘policies’ or lack of were highlighted in front of the nation.

Instead of showing disillusioned and apathetic voters that the BNP does not have the policies to credibly stand as a political party, we were instead treat to a circus, as a stream of minorities lined up to lay the boot in…

For the people in the towns and cities where the BNP is gaining a strong following, last night’s show will just serve to reinforce the apathy that turns uneducated and disillusioned voters into followers of extremist political parties.

THE END.

By: Max Tatton-Brown

Max Tatton-Brown — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:34:44 +0000

Thanks for all the replies. Agree with the fact that this is primarily an exposure exercise for them but still think it’s important to face a threat like this.

Ignoring it lets it fester underground without being properly addressed. Much better to give them a fair chance and have them dismissed by mass revulsion.

There’s a certain sense of balance to these things- if the BNP did start to gain much more power, you can bet it would motivate more people to vote and snap them out of their disillusionment.

Based on the attention that has accompanied last night’s show, perhaps this could be the kick that the masses need to get involved again?

By: Sophy

Sophy — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:21:56 +0000

he has been given too much air time, too much… and therefore he has “won” for himself and the party. Just heard his press confernece on radio 5… calling for a rematch, one to one with Jack Straw and so on.

It is not so much what went on during programme (he was weak, and insubstantial and oddly skittish I thought) but the oportunities post that must have the BNP HQ doing a (traditional and entirely indigeonus MORRIS) dance!

This was always about PR and Spin – and he is definately spinning quickest today….

By: Kirsty

Kirsty — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 08:58:28 +0000

We liveblogged the programme last night and I did feel it was a missed opportunity to demonstrate how the BNP are not a serious political party. Without Griffin they may have been discussing the postal strike etc but with him there it was just “Please tell us how wrong the BNP are”.

By: @crossy

@crossy — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 08:58:09 +0000

Agree – the audience didn’t help at all last night, it was all far too emotive from the outset and didn’t really serve to highlight the true awfulness of the BNP.

By: Sarah Porter

Sarah Porter — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 08:40:02 +0000

Absolutely spot on. It’s a very sad state of affairs when we have to take on “angry mob” status, doesn’t benefit anybody.
With “accidental” comments like “dic-, no Nick” and general horrendous jeering (where were the pitchforks!?), I was also concerned that it was a ruined opportunity – like you say, simply ask him the questions and watch him inevitably drown himself.