BNP activism on this forum

[The Bear]

There appears to be an attempt to swamp this forum, especially the British Politics and Other Parties area, with pro BNP material, and various other anti politicians material in what looks very like a sordid attempt by sordid people to make a thing seem if not fair, at least no worse than the rest.

The impression being created at present by the volume of BNP items and material is that this forum (and so by extension the UKIP) comprises of a membership that has possibly a considerable number of BNP supporters.

I am well aware of the efforts of the Moderators to prevent this, but perception is reality. Create the false perception, and you convey a false reality.

[mkpdavies]

I doubt if they are actually converting a single person to their cause. Maybe even the opposite in fact.

I don't really agree with no platform policies, but when it turns to spamming, then you could have a case.

First thing I would do is set the world filter to replace BNP with something suitable, until they learn to behave.

[Eurosceptic Atlanticist]

This forum has always suffered from high levels of BNP supporters and BNP propaganda, at least it has since I've been here.

[Unionist]

Would they spam any forum in the same way? Probably not. There are reasons why they are attracted here and it is very evident if you look at the posts on the forum as well as the stated positions of UKIP and the English Democrats.

Many UKIP and English Democrat supporters consider themselves to be nationalists; so do BNP supporters. UKIP and the English Democrats are anti-EU; so is the BNP. Most UKIP and English Democrat supporters are strongly opposed to immigration; so is the BNP (in fact, it is their top issue). Many UKIP and English Democrat supporters want to see a much tougher law and order regime; likewise the BNP.

So being realistic, on all of the BNP's headline issues this forum offers some comfort. You may argue that the racial motivations of the BNP are different, that their party is thuggish or that their economic policy is completely opposed to UKIP's, but what do people see as the headlines? A bunch of nationalists that don't like the EU and want to get tough on immigration and crime. That's the reality.

Anthony Butcher said somewhere recently that UKIP's latest immigration and asylum policy would make many people consider UKIP to be 'BNP-Lite'. That policy includes a five-year moratorium on immigration (which is completely wrong, IMO) and an interpretation of asylum rules that would rule out even the possibility of asylum in the vast majority of cases. It is clear why BNP supporters would be interested in this forum.

In my view, ritual denunciation of the BNP immediately prior to advocating a BNP-type agenda is no different to those who start their sentences with, "I'm not racist, but...". I have even seen examples on here where the poster's main objection to the BNP has been the public perception of the BNP, not what it stands for. If you don't want to attract the flies, don't put out the ****.

[mkpdavies]

True, but also not really fair.

If Ferrari brought out a new version of their car, but stuck a giant **** on the bonnet and wrote, "I need this big **** on the front, because I only have a tiddler on my own" on the sides, would that stop you buying another nice car, because of that?

Maybe you would think twice about buying a Ferrari if they were dumb enough to bring out a model like that. The question is, which policies does UKIP have currently that resembles that big ****?

I pesonally don't think Nationalism is a bad thing, as long as you don't go too far. Do UKIP go too far? Yes I think they probably do sometimes.

Immigration is probably the biggest issue though. UKIP bet big on immigration, but have not put their case very well IMHO. Its policy, and they it may well attract some, but for others it makes them deeply uncomfortable. I never liked the way UKIP went about immigration, while actually agreeing with their argument to a degree. There was no attempt to give a rational reason for why it is a problem though. The problem being for me that a) We live in a socialist country, thus throwing open the borders will suck in a disproportinate amount of people, thus adversly effecting people who live here already. b) The world isn't equal and never will be. Thus it would be like saying people had to open their houses for others to stay in. Everyone would pile into the nice houses and ruin them.

Chad did quite a good cartoon with a flower being overwatered. There is a good argument for controlling immigration. UKIP seem to put out horrible leaflets though, that shine the light on the immigrants themselves. Pictures of caractures running away with bags of cash etc. Poor.

So Unionist does have a point really with regards to UKIP. However, this forum isn't even supposed to be for UKIP only. So what can it do about the position of one party that the owner is no longer a member of?

Not much. The BNP have a dedicated band of cyber warriors. They know their message will reasonate with some and certainly there is the odd person here who has sympathies for them. HYS gets the same treatment, many paper sites get the same treatment. The BNP do have a dedicated and persitent bunch on the net. Anything with "Britain" in the title will lure them in.

[Hartlepool]

The election periods always bring the bnp trolls,they will mostly be gone next week if they dont do too good,however,if they do good........?

[StGeorge]

You won't get rid of me that easily Hartlepool.

Many of the newer BNP supporters have actually been on here well before the election period too.

I agree with the spamming, its a discussion site but I suppose all this tit for tat with bulter is contributing to it all, it needs nipping in the bud on all sides.

[Populist Lee]

Half the "swamping" is coming from *bulter*.

If BNPers are able to turn those threads around to their advantage then *Bear* should be taking up his gripe with *bulter* and his associated incompetence.

[HighlandFP]

Originally Posted by The Bear

There appears to be an attempt to swamp this forum, ............

with anti Muslim propaganda by The Bear [darlink].

Muslim true/false - Los Angeles Times