The Oxford Union invite will only help legitimise the BNP

The Oxford Union has voted to go ahead with the invite to the British National Party (BNP) leader Nick Griffin and Holocaust denier David Irving to speak at a free speech event at the Union on Monday November 26th. Despite opposition, the Oxford Union Debating Society members voted by a margin of 2 to 1 to continue to extend the invite made some weeks ago.

As I stated earlier in the week, debating with the likes of Griffin and Irving may well prove intellectually stimulating for some members of the Oxford Union but the realpolitik is that the BNP is very keen to be seen as moving into the mainstream of British politics, an invite from the Oxford Union may well help the BNP in achieving this ambition.

The racist, bigoted politics of hatred expounded by the BNP will, as a result of the Oxford Union's invite, help the likes of Griffin secure some short term political credibility. In the minds of some the invitation will signify that the views of the far right are gaining in respectability.

Comments

[Seema Malhotra]

Well done Mike. There are two reasons why I feel compelled still to urget the President, Luke Tryl, to withdraw the invitation and cancel your event.

Firstly because if we want to live in a peaceful democracy that genuinely respects difference and diversity, and believes in human rights, we all have a responsibility to prevent the spreading of race hate, which if unchallenged and unchecked, will lead to division and violence in communities across Britain.

Secondly, because all that is needed for evil to flourish, is for the rest of us to do nothing.

The fact that we live peacefully is not an accident – it is because people, including students, have fought for change and have defended the right for those of all backgrounds to live as equal citizens. It is only a generation since the bloodiest war across Europe – and it is only because committed anti-racists and progressive politicians have done all they can to keep the peace through equality laws and institutions that bind us together that we have seen peace and progress last this long.

Britain has welcomed citizens from the world over, who are making tremendous social and economic contributions. People who are objecting to the Oxford Union's decision are doing so out of a genuine and informed view, that to do anything that legitimises the views of those who are racist – where the implications what they stand for would be bloody and devastating - is in fact a support to those aims being achieved.

[Graeme Kemp]

Whatever happened to free speech?

Mike Ion and Seema Malhotra clearly lack faith in the ability of students, and anyone else, to see through the likes of Nick Griffin of the BNP and David Irving when discussing controversial issues.

Of course behind both men lurks a vile ideology - so why not expose it in open debate?

It is easier enough to present the facts on 'race' and immigration, as well as the Second World War to people. Apart from a few sad Neo-Nazis, who is taken in by the Holocaust denial of David Irving? Yet Mike Ion and Seema Malhotra are running scared off these cranks!

The dubious past of people like Griffin is well documented - we could ask him why he praised Islam in the 1980's National Front, only to attack it in the 1990's British National Party. Opportunist? Of course, so let's expose this hypocrisy in open debate.

Who next should be banned for holding nasty views or potentially dangerous opinions?

Can't we win by using the facts and persuading people?

[Mike Ion]

Graeme

Did you actually read my posting? I am NOT proposing we ban anyone and am surprised that you suggest that I am. I am simply stating that I think the decision to invite the likes of Griffin and Irving is mis-guided and may well end up providing the BNP with a much needed propoganda coup.

[Graeme Kemp]

Mike, would not withdrawing the invitation constitute a ban?