The BNP have been doing well in the press over the past two weeks. With their membership lists now published Nick Griffin is stressing the lack of ‘skinhead oiks’ amongst his faithful.

After the London elections when a BNP candidate took a seat many people tried to reassure me saying that the 5% of London who voted for him were doing so out of protest. They were fed up with the mainstream parties and were venting their frustrations. This was based on the belief that it wasn’t possible for that many people in London, one of the most multicultural cities in the world, to support the vile ideology of the BNP.

I wasn’t reassured then and I’m still not. If someone wants to use their vote to protest against the mainstream, vote for the Monster Raving Loony Party, vote for an independent candidate who wants to keep a hospital open or vote any one of the non-mainstream parties that stood in the London elections. Everyone has to take responsibility for the vote they cast and the choice they make. A vote is a right that many have died for and many in the world still fight for today.

The same arguments came this time round; it’s not that the people on the list are racist or fascist they are just fed up with the lack of debate in the country around real issues. However, even more so then a vote, membership to a party is a signing up to an ideology. The BNP’s ideology is clear from its manifesto. It is racist and hate filled. It blames anyone who doesn’t fit the BNP model of a proper British citizen and attacks those who need our help most of all. I feel no compassion to any who lose their jobs now they have been outed as BNP members, they support a party who believe in Nazi tenants so let them be judged by the strength of those convictions.

If anything the events of the past few weeks has been a wake up call to all those who believed that racism is a politically correct insult in today’s Britain, nothing else. Racism still lives, it is a filthy undercurrent that must be fought.

In May this country goes to the ballot to elect its representatives to the European Parliament. The BNP are hoping for a traditionally low turnout to gain the votes they need to win a seat. If the BNP gain a seat the rules of the game have changed for ever. For the first time we will have a fascist representative of the UK on the European stage.

Manchester students have showed us how the whole campus can unite to fight the BNP at the next elections and the rest of us should catch up. Students across the country will be the critical vote in May and can do more than most groups in society to mobilise voters.

If you don’t vote in May you share responsibility for what happens, if you want to protest, vote for a fringe party but not a racist one. But fundamentally if you don’t vote because you can’t be bothered then you share responsibility for the BNP getting a seat. Get out and vote!

In Unity

Joel NUS ARAF co-convenor

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