After winning seat in Euro and local elections, the British National Party (BNP) puts a moderate face by claiming that it is no more a fascist party. It has opened its door for the ethnic minorities. Is the party changing? Radiance finds out…
Emboldened by its minor success in the 2009 Euro and local polls, the BNP has for the time being shelved some of its contentious policies, like establishing council-run taxi company staffed only by white drivers. Besides repatriation of Blacks and Asians from the United Kingdom.
BNP leader Simon Bennet says all parties evolve and change. “There is a realisation that some policies aren’t achievable. We recognise that the old policy of sending everybody home is just not realistic,” he says.
The BNP, founded in 1982 by John Tyndall, has always opposed immigration into the UK. Trying hard to win credibility, the party now talks about voluntary repatriation.
Is the BNP changing? Party watcher Rafique Malik says it is trying to put on a moderate face to win respectability. “It is nothing but repackaging of old prejudices.”
The change in shift came in 1999 when Nick Griffin took over from John Tyndall as chairman of the party. Tyndall was convicted of incitement to racial hatred in 1986. Under the chairmanship of Griffin the party rejects accusations that it is racist. The BNP also says it has severed ties with the National Front. Bennet says the party has to do nothing with racism. “We just want to address the race issue as people are interested. The debate is going to help other communities to resolve it.”
The party is trying to tone down its racist bullyboy image. For this the BNP has adopted latest technology, such as media, internet and CDs. They have also managed to put together a formidable organisation.
In 1988 the fascist party launched its Media Monitoring Unit. It also launched a highly innovative election campaign – distributing free CDs. But all this does not mean the party has mellowed. They are Nazis and a threat to a peaceful society. The party has been shifting its stand from time to time.
After 9/11, the BNP targeted around 1.8 million British Muslims. The party does not hide its hatred against Islam and Muslims. It issued from time to time virulent and nasty statements against them. For example an article posted on its website says Islam stands for intolerance, slaughter, looting, arson and molestation of women. Shockingly, the party has not been prosecuted for inciting hatred.
The party calls for a joint fight against the rising crescent in the UK. In another article The Real Face of Islam Chairman Griffin writes, “Don’t believe what the papers say about Islam being a peace loving religion. Believe me Islam is the biggest threat Britain has ever faced.”
In recent days some radical Hindu and Sikh groups in the UK have joined hands with the BNP. The party’s Ethnic Liaison Committee has made a 70-minute audio cassette, claiming to expose the ‘Green Menace’.
It says, “This project – bringing together White Britons, Sikhs and Hindus, is a common effort to expose and resist the innate aggression of Islam – is a truly historic first of the BNP.”