91热爆

I was shocked canvassing at how many the BNP were appealing to - in the main very disaffected voters who had not bothered to vote in the past. They offer angry people easy answers to their problems, but ultimately fail them. But I am very pleased to see "Oscar" in the Senedd, Plaid is now leading the way with councillors and an AM from ethnic minorities.

Interesting to note the tone of this piece. The Multiculturalism = good, BNP = Bad standard 91热爆 viewpoint condensed into one small blog post!

Steve, that's because the vast majority of people in this country are appalled by the racism inherent in the BNP. Sorry if you're offended by that - perhaps you should move to a different country?

My own view, for what it's worth, is that BNP could have won easily if they had put Nick Griffin up as the lead list candidate in North Wales.

Why they didn't do this is beyond me...

Pointing out the skin colour of an MP is racist, 91热爆.

Steve B.

Whether multiculturalism is good or bad is a valid point for debate.

The BNP is just a bunch of violent Nazi thugs, who prey on unfounded fears whipped up by the right wing press.

My father's generation risked and, in many cases lost, their lives fighting the Nazis. The BNP are traitors to the UK and a vote for the BNP is, in my opinion, treason.

The BNP did, in fact, put out a very reasonable - and moderate - election manifesto in Wales. They seem very far away these days from the old tub-thumping racists of yesteryear. But, unlike the other parties, the media never allows the BNP to change its clothes or its image. Labour and the Tories have undergone radical transformations in a bid to woo voters in recent years, but the BNP is always condemned as peddling hatred and racism even though these pigeon-holes are a generation out of date.

I agree with the comments left in the second post, this blog entry is evidence of an ingrained 91热爆 view that there is only one correct way to think about multiculturalism (good) and only one correct way to view the BNP (bad).

I have no sympathy whatsoever for the BNP, but I do agree with Steve B. As an elector and taxpayer, I am glad to welcome respectable and honest AMs, whatever the colour of their skin. Betsan Powis seems to think otherwise. As for the BNP vote, instead of dismissing BNP electors as the same old bunch of white chavs, we should understand why people vote BNP and the reasons behind this distrust towards mainstream parties.
In some way, the BNP phenomenon is similar to the Respect vote in East London: both parties are indeed bringing to the polls people who habitually do not vote.

Without wishing to express an opinion either way, I feel that the BNP's performance will be ignored by the major parties at their peril. It appears that a growing number of people are saying that they have serious concerns which, if not soon addressed by traditionally-minded representatives, are likely to be handed to those with more extreme views. If a pot shows signs of boiling over, the heat needs to be removed; holding the lid down, pretending nothing is happening, and trusting all will be well results only in disaster.

Who ever said anything about "culture"? Explain what that means.

how on earth is Mr Ashgar's election not a positive thing? I always feel slightly uncomfortable when politics is played upon the mere colour of a person's skin, but surely this is significant and welcome?

The BNP are horrific and breed on ignorance and dissaffection. Its clear that a large amount of the BNP vote was done in protest, and the main parties MUST reach out to these people and explain the damage that BNP can cause, and ensure they keep these voters within the mainstream of politics instead of drifting off toward Adolf and his goons

spot the BNP shill

who ever said anything about "culture", never mind "multiculture"? Surely this is nothing but a positive step? I always feel slightly uncomfortable when people try to make political capital out of somebody's ethnicity, so guilty and hypocritical as charged, but well surely this is a precedent that needed breaking?

Steve B,

If you look at the blog, you will see that actually all the post states is two facts, with the 'but something else to chew on' implying that one is good and one is bad. (the title might suggest the first is good, but could equally be irony or simply a quote from those on site)

Your assumption that they are saying the multicultural one is good and the BNP is bad) not the other way round) is just that, an assumption.

In fact, they are not even talking about multiculturalism technically - if ethnic minorities in the UK keep their cultures seperate from 'native' UK cultures (i.e no multiculturalism), they still deserve the right to (proportional) government representation.

So really, the only 'tone' this article exposes is your own.

Personally, I approve greatly of the Weslsh assembly result, as ethnic minorities are still under-represented in the various circles of government (compared to the proportions in the population).

I also approve of the BNP getting zero representation, although its unnerving how close it was. As recent investigative programs have shown, these racists have attempted to project a more moderate image, but the real views of their leaders remain as vile as ever.

I wish the BNP had won they are far more representative of Walesthan Mohammed Ashgar!

Not surprised by the BNP result. So many old people from the war-time generation do not like the way this country is going.

#2 The 91热爆 viewpoint you take issue with also happens to be the viewpoint of all fair minded people throughout the country. Appalling that the BNP managed to secure any votes in Wales. Well done to Mohammed Ashgar and Plaid.

Standard 91热爆 viewpoint?

The viewpoint of anyone who isn't so blind as to be fooled by the British Nazi Party's racist nonsense, I would have thought...

Betsan

What is your real name? I know many 91热爆 Wales types have unusual Welsh names, but I can't recall having come across another Betsan, or another Powys either. Go on, admit it! You're really Elizabeth Jones, aren't you?

I would agree with Steve B here.. impartiality has not even been attempted here it seems. Ah well..

steve b.. i think you have a point. I don't agree with many aspects of the BNP but it should not be for the 91热爆 to say they are bad, there are plenty of people to say that already.