BNP

Over the Easter weekend a story regarding the British National Party has opened, primarily due to the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust issuing a report that stated up to 25% of voters may consider voting for the BNP, and Employment Minister Margaret Hodge claiming that more white voters are being tempted by the BNP as they feel their concerns are not being listened to by Labour.

Can't say that it comes as much of a surprise to be honest. Whether those people flirting with the BNP are full-on racists like many in the party itself or simply tired of being neglected themselves and finding a shoulder to cry on is something that can never really be quantified I guess.

Chances are that many of them are just fed up with what they see as preferential treatment toward ethnic minorities or new immigrants/asylum seekers over and above that shown to them, especially in relation to issues like housing.

I'm sure that the right-wing press and the BNP themselves are fueling that feeling with half-truths, distortions and downright lies, yet the main political parties and media consensus are refusing to confront these issues and resentment for fear of appearing racist themselves.

Having allowed the culture in Britain to become one where the percieved threat of racism is prevalent and the worst crime imaginable, the liberal left have added to that resentment with cries of 'Wolf', boorish lecturing, dismissing or ignoring issues and taking offense on others behalf.

Where all of this leaves the ethnic minorities who bear the brunt of racism remains to be seen. In fact, i'm not so sure that this growing debate has much to actually do with racism at all, but is rather a case of the lecturers having their arses bitten by those they see as needing their lectures.