The far-right British National Party's membership rules will be made illegal under the Government's new Equalities Bill, a cabinet minister has revealed.
Harriet Harman, the Commons leader and Labour deputy leader, spoke of her "shock and horror" that the North West was being represented in the European Parliament by BNP leader Nick Griffin.
However, she pledged that new legislation would make it illegal to have a whites-only political party in the UK.
Under the BNP's constitution, membership is "strictly defined" as "indigenous Caucasian".
In the Equality Bill passing through this House, that constitution will be unlawful."
Forgot link.
What exactly is the significance of such a party constitution? Does it have any power, or is it just a list of ideals the party is supposed to represent?
Although I dislike the government taking action that suppresses other parties, in this situation it seems necessary. Imagine if the BNP became a majority party in Britain and still kept the rule?
why should a racist party like this run for office?
Because we live in a Democracy and shouldn't have the power to ban parties from running no matter how disgusting we find them?
I hate them as much as any sane person does [especially taking into consideration i'd be one of those repatriated] but we cannot stop them as they are democratically elected. They have the right to speak.
"A black or Jewish candidate who applied and didn't get the job on grounds of their racial or religious background would have a claim in the employment tribunal," Millar said.
"If an individual challenges and they maintain a practice not employing any visible minority people, there is no doubt that like any employer who has such practices, they can be sued," said employment barrister and chair of the Society of Black Lawyers, Peter Herbert. "When they are in receipt of public funds they will have to be an equal opportunities employer. To do otherwise would be incompatible with public office.
"I can see the equality commission mounting an inquiry into how the BNP operate now. The office of public standards could also inquire."
I would feel happier if it were done under existing laws - which would of course beg the question why they were allowed to stand.
No law exists in the books which deals with this. It just protects unfair dismissal. Probably why they are passing it through with the equality bill.
why should a racist party like this run for office?
This is wrong and this is why European democracy is so screwed up.I hate them as much as any sane person does [especially taking into consideration i'd be one of those repatriated] but we cannot stop them as they are democratically elected. They have the right to speak.
If there's a party that doesn't support one of the major values of democracy, you ban it from partaking in the elections.
I can understand from this that you also support hate speech then, right Laila?No party should ever be banned unless it breaks our laws, and even then it should be a last resort.
Living in a democracy and accepting it means you should also accept those you disagree with. No Government should ever have the ability to ban parties, such a thing inevitably leads aways from democracy
why should a racist party like this run for office?
I can understand from this that you also support hate speech then, right Laila?
Making them admit non-whites does nothing. It won't prevent them from being racist, it won't change their minds on things. It'll just give them fuel for their hatred if anything.
So by making them change the stated rules, the same racists will be in power, but they'll just be a smidgen less openly racist than before. Why make them hide their ignorance?
I would feel happier if it were done under existing laws - which would of course beg the question why they were allowed to stand.
No party should ever be banned unless it breaks our laws, and even then it should be a last resort.
Living in a democracy and accepting it means you should also accept those you disagree with. No Government should ever have the ability to ban parties, such a thing inevitably leads aways from democracy
Real democracy has the right to defend itself from elements that might lead to anti-democratic policies.
If there's a party that doesn't support one of the major values of democracy, you ban it from partaking in the elections.
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