Democracy at work? re: BNP

Don't think this is some kind of showing of support for the BNP because it isn't, I find them as laughable as the socialists just on different ends of the scale.

BUT one thing I will say.

They've been forced to change bits and pieces of their party politcal broadcast with regards to the upcoming elections. Now that doesn't strike me as very democratic at all.

Like it or not, they are a genuine political party and should be able to put whatever they want in their broadcast. If anything, they only further the bad impression they give themselves BUT this is going to win them support from people thinking that they're being treated unfairly.

again, I'm not having this turn into some stupid argument because I'm in no way condoning what they stand for and won't be voting for them next week but I think it's only fair that all parties should be treated equally and neutrally since we're supposed to be a democratic nation.

opinions?

Are they being legally forced to change, or are they changing in order to attract new voters? If the former, it just shows the true extent of society's slide (drop is more like it) from real democracy. Its funny how much regulation takes place in supposedly free countries.

Adrian

They've been forced to cut or change certain scenes.

Where the edited sections indecent in any way, or were they just unpopular? Also, do you have a link to a story on this? I don't know much about it, and don't like talking about something when I know less than half the story.

Adrian

They aren't a genuine political party. More like a bunch of thugs.

There are strict rules in democratic political campaigning that this sort of party always tries to bend ( We've had the same problem in France for 20 years now with the Front National - Le Pen's party), and then publically act like victims when they are trialed and/or sentenced (which they are in France 120 times more than any other political organisation).
Their aim is to make people lose any confidence in political life, and become a party to vote for to protest rather than a party in which ideas everyone believes. Very efficient in troubles times like these.
Now in this particular case, I haven't seen the cut scenes and all but I'd be ready to bet they were breaking some rules and were the ones threatening Democracy.

Ponrauil

^^^Threatening democracy...hmmm...the democratic way of life is so easily threatened by scenes in political commercials...Could you explain to me how this happened please, that the democratic way of life in Britian was threatened by a political broadcast?

Adrian

Again, I haven't seen these commercials, but what I meant was that they might have broken some rules of political campaigning in the UK. Rules that are necessary to have a healthy democratic debate. ( I guess slandering of other parties is forbiden ie, or like in a debate every participant must have the same amount of time of speach)


Ponrauil

Those rules don't protect democracy, they just even the playing field for the various parties.

Adrian

Such rules make sure that every one has the same chance to express and explain their ideas and projects. Equality is fundamental for democracy.

It's a rule in France, and probably in the UK too, that political commercials must not exceed a certain length. Parties such as BNP in England or FN in France are capable of voluntarilly making to long commercials so that campaign controling organisations make them edit their spots. Later they'll act like they are being censored and made victims of a political conspiration against them, when in fact they're just being asked to play by the rules that actually give them the same chance as everyone else.

Ponrauil