Don't ban the BNP - even racists deserve a debate

Nick Griffin on QT particularly has stuck in the gullet of right-on commentators and anti-racist groups. Now Peter Hain MP has written to the BBC, warning that the BNP's invite could be illegal.

But why all the anti-facist fuss and froth? Letting a democratically elected MEP on the programme - regardless of how obnoxious one might find his views - should elicit little comment.

God knows, there have been reactionaries and misfits on the QT panel before now. Critics complain the BBC is giving Griffin the oxygen of publicity. They've got a nerve.

Those constantly obsessed with silencing Griffin have given his rump of an organisation unmerited publicity and front-page headlines.

What are these "anti-fascist" censors really worried about? The Unite Against Fascism (UAF) leaflet, No Plugs for Nazi Nick, tells us, "More airtime for the BNP will lead to more racist attacks on the streets".

UAF seems to have an inflated view of Griffin's powers of persuasion and little faith in its own ability to convince.

But more than political cowardice, UAF's stance is grossly insulting to viewers. Apparently the public are so gullible and irrational that just listening to Griffin means they will morph into a racist mob.

Why not give Griffin free rein to spout forth and be held to account by a discerning public? It seems the UAF and its paternalistic fellow travellers don't think the public can discern for themselves.

This is not about the right of a collection of far-Right cranks to have their say. It is about the right of the rest of us to make up our own minds.

Maybe a secret worry is that Griffin will fare well against mainstream politicians. After all, week-in, week-out, a stream of anodyne ministers and clone MPs trot out the party line.

Might Griffin look good by comparison? If he does, this is an indictment of what passes for politics rather than a recognition of his towering intellect.

You might say that the treatment of the BNP and Wilders is justified because their views on race are so abhorrent.

But the best way to deal with prejudiced views is to confront them in the open.

This requires unfettered freedom of speech. "No platform" is a craven excuse to shy away from the argument.

Too often, mainstream parties and the media pander to the BNP's agenda rather than argue against it.

Nasty, illiberal attitudes to immigrants are not the sole preserve of the far Right; scapegoating "illegal" immigrants is almost a national pastime.

Only last week, communities secretary John Denham announced he will spend £12 million reassuring "white enclaves" that immigrants aren't taking their houses and jobs.

Kicking racism out of polite political debate, off QT, out of the country, is a coward's way out.

All anti-racists - myself included - need to win hearts and minds, challenging reactionary sentiments wherever we find them, be that from the BNP or Westminster.

Claire Fox is director of the Institute of Ideas and is convening the Battle of Ideas festival in London, 31 Oct-1 Nov. www.battleofideas.org.uk.