BNP at University of Bath

The_One_2

The following matter is being brought to the attention of university unions nationwide........


As I'm sure you're all aware the NUS (National Union of Students) has a policy of not allowing fascist organisations a platform to speak. Unfortunately the University at Bath has allowed the leader of the fascist BNP to give a lecture to students. The BNP call for an all white Britain and where the BNP are given a platform, racist attacks increase.

The Students' Union at Bath, along with the local branch of the University and College Union, have asked people to write to their MP getting them to support the Early Day Motion '1429 - BNP and the University of Bath' http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=33212&SESSION=885

The motion points out that the decision by Bath may well breach the Race Relations Act. You can write to your MP using this website. http://www.writetothem.com

Please pass this message on


Thanks

dmg24

Even if I don't agree with their opinions myself, I do thing that everyone has a right to free speech.

Students should be allowed to choose what they listen to. If they don't like it, then they should vote with their feet.

tourette_t-shirts

dmg24 wrote: »

Even if I don't agree with their opinions myself, I do thing that everyone has a right to free speech.

Students should be allowed to choose what they listen to. If they don't like it, then they should vote with their feet.

:T Couldn;t of put it better myself.

icefall

The_One wrote: »

The following matter is being brought to the attention of university unions nationwide........


As I'm sure you're all aware the NUS (National Union of Students) has a policy of not allowing fascist organisations a platform to speak. Unfortunately the University at Bath has allowed the leader of the fascist BNP to give a lecture to students. The BNP call for an all white Britain and where the BNP are given a platform, racist attacks increase.

The Students' Union at Bath, along with the local branch of the University and College Union, have asked people to write to their MP getting them to support the Early Day Motion '1429 - BNP and the University of Bath' http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=33212&SESSION=885

The motion points out that the decision by Bath may well breach the Race Relations Act. You can write to your MP using this website. http://www.writetothem.com

Please pass this message on


Thanks

thanks for bringing this to our attention op

worrying

lellie

I find the BNP no platforming awfully hypocritical from the NUS and I don't agree with it at all - I feel that free speech is important. I can't stand the BNP as an organisation but feel it is unfair to ban them. Especially when extreme left-wing organisations like Swizz (socialist workers students.. ) and respect are encouraged in student unions.

margaretclare

You define the BNP as a 'fascist organisation'. In fact they are a legal political party.

I doubt if the generation who are students now have any idea of the meaning of the word 'fascist'. I do know that one of the men who stood as a BNP candidate recently is a D-Day veteran and therefore, he knows all about what 'fascist' means because he actually donned a uniform and fought the fascists of his generation.

I am a member of the English Democrats Party, another of the smaller parties - these parties are growing because so many people feel that the Lab/Lib/Con 'big' parties have nothing to say about the many problems we face. It should surely not be so difficult to work out - even for a student - that a small country like this just cannot continue to absorb unlimited numbers of immigrants from all over the world? That's a simple enough idea, and it's one which the BNP are not afraid to highlight.

Regarding the Race Relations Act, the English Democrats Party recently won a case in which they had been prevented from holding a meeting at Leeds Royal Armouries. They brought an action under the Race Relations Act because they were being discriminated against for being English. The English are now recognised as an ethnic group within the meaning of the Race Relations Act and as such, can enjoy all the rights and privileges of other 'minority' groups. If the EDP can bring an action under the RRA I wouldn't be a bit surprised that the BNP can do so also.

Interestingly, 'The Times' printed a lengthy article about the BNP in the Harrogate area recently, and you'd be surprised at the former Conservative 'true-blue' middle-class people who are supporting them. An interesting programme on BBC Radio 4 a couple of evenings ago - now, the BBC steadfastly ignored the BNP for a very long time, no doubt hoping they'd go away. They haven't.

I am always sad when I hear of this kind of thing happening within a university. Like the recent case of a respected academic who has highlighted the dangers of unlimited immigration - it's not PC to say so, we're supposed to 'celebrate diversity' - let 'em all come. However, in a university there should be room for shades of all opinion and it should be a place where all kinds of questions can be asked. How else can fresh opinions be formed - there will just be the same tired old cliches trotted out, and of course we must be PC, mustn't we?

Margaret

tomstickland

Whilst I have no like of the BNP, I find the behaviour of the NUS objectionable. Surely a university exists to allow debate, not stifle it? They'd be better off by allowing it and then going along and sinking the BNP in akward questions.

marksward

they are recognised politically so why not let them speak. Some people paid alot for our democracy

Blacksheep1979

The_One wrote: »

Unfortunately the University at Bath has allowed the leader of the fascist BNP to give a lecture to students. The BNP call for an all white Britain and where the BNP are given a platform, racist attacks increase.

I hasten to point out that both those points are wrong, infact I believe there are several BNP candidates from ethnic minorities.

As several others have stated its far better to have free speach and debate and have everything out in the open than underground and dodgy. That way you don't get missinformed like the op.

Personally I am far more worried by the militant animal rights, left wing and christian and other religious groups that are at certain universities. My personal experiences with two seperate universities and certain religous groups there, are frankly shocking and I won't air my views on a public board.

BigBouncyBall

Ok i need to put everybody straight here.

Nick Griffin WILL NOT BE ATTENDING ANY MEETING AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BATH

The univeristy have reversed its decicion to let him attend a private meeting organised by a 1st year politics student.

Public order issues apparently - university can;t guarentee the saftey of anybody attending the meeting or protests.

Shame really, we were all looking forward to a good protest

tr3mor

I don't understand leftists: they're all for free speech as long as they agree with it.

I don't see the difference between letting George Galloway or Nick Griffin speak. As far as I can tell they're both alarming extremist nutcases, yet most students' unions accept Galloway with open arms.

Blacksheep1979 wrote: »

Personally I am far more worried by the militant animal rights, left wing and christian and other religious groups that are at certain universities. My personal experiences with two seperate universities and certain religous groups there, are frankly shocking and I won't air my views on a public board.

This man speaks sense!