However you look at it, the British National Party (a.k.a. very right wing, anti-immigration, anti-human rights, anti-equality, anti-environment, pro-W.A.S.P. party) had a good night, last night. In the European Parliamentary Elections they won 2 of a possible 69 seats, which was exactly two more than they previously had. This was accompanied by a swing towards the “centre right” (a.k.a. pro-business, anti-environment, anti-equality, anti-human rights, pro-consumerism) in most of the major European countries, suggesting that the majority of people think the answer to all our woes is to hand control of the world over to the corporations.
Alternatively, it might just mean that a hell of a lot of people have lost faith with the entire electoral system (the turnout was historically low, at 43.1%) and most of these people are to the left of centre. That would make a lot of sense; after all, the so-called democratic systems of government that perpetuate in the industrial West, are little more that a sop to real democracy, masking the real power behind governments: the corporations.
That’s certainly my view. I didn’t vote, not because I don’t think my vote won’t make a difference in the final result; not because I am turning my back on those who fought and died for this right; not because I am apathetic — I didn’t vote because whatever happens to the balance of power in any parliament, the overall plan stays the same. The BNP may have gained a couple of seats, but that says a whole lot more about the people that didn’t vote than it does about those who did vote.
And in a strange way, that makes me happy. It suggests that people are starting to open their eyes and realise that the whole system is terminally corrupt, and destructively unsustainable both in environmental and social terms. In this setup, the best move anyone can make is to reject the entire system — not prop it up by deluding yourself that your vote will change things.
I agree 100%. I do get a feeling that the political shamocracy of the UK is being undermined by this. The other point is that where there was an increase in actual numbers voting for a party more went to the Greens than BNP or UKIP. Both the Green vote and the overall apathy gives me a sense that we can cause panic in the system. The more the little parties get and the more others stay away, the more the system is de-legitimized. Funny how people fear a few fascists yet don’t fear all the harm being done by the corporations.
It matters…. it means people are finally looking for alternatives, i found it more frightening to see lib/lab/con holding onto seats, that is real apathy and indicates an acceptance that change is not possible. The BNP might not be most peoples idea of the way forward, and are in fact abhorent to most but at least they prove the electorate are seeking alternatives to the corrupt establishment run mainstream parties. It means they have had enough of the status quo. It might just mean they are waking up.
Ive no idea what contributions/disruptions they will make, if any being only two people. to the running of the corrupt EU, but you might want to reconsider the “anti environment” comment, they are in fact the only party to give any serious policy considertion to Peak oil and its challenges/and yes its Opportunities – something the Greens have failed to do. I do not know their current policy on agriculture but Griffin has long been an advocate of getting “back to the land” and is a small holding farmer himself.
Do not believe the media portrayal of them as a bunch of one issue thugs, they do have some nasty characters/policies, but they are probably the only party who will question the difficult issues like overpopulation and its impact on us having the land base to grow food post oil, all these are embarassing issues that mainstream parties will not dare to touch, and most in the green/eco/alternative scene be they activisits/writers/polititians will not dare to discuss lest it question their belief in No Borders freedom of movement and similar traditional leftish policies, but times are changing and these issues must be discussed, so if this at the very least gets us some debate on these uncomfortable truths about overpopulation and the post peak oil scenario then I for one think that whilst we are stuck with living within the current political system, then yes it does matter.
Fair comment Jaq. I think we do have to be open to all possibilities as the system enters a state of flux. If the BNP raise issues often hidden then that’s fine. We do have serious problems and have to face and work through them. It seems to me that immigration is a direct result of the systems theft from the worlds poor. Having been dispossessed of land and living by this global economic mess, people seek a living elsewhere, where they perceive the grass to be greener.
Hi Jaq
This morning on BBC 5Live, Nick Griffin said that global warming was a tax-generating scam — which might put your opinion of him in a slightly different light.
Keith
Yes Apodidae, its only human nature to seek a better standard of living, but then i dont think immigration has ever been about offering a better way of life to people, it has always been about cheap labour to support the corrupt capitalist system, people are sold the dream of a better standard of living, and for some that is what they get but what is really happening is they are being sold into the system to keep labour costs low and to avoid scarcity of labour which would push up wages.
Climate refugees will of course be an entirely new scenario when the planet reaches her breaking point. It will be interesting to see what plans are put in place for these displaced people, who will need homes and resources regardless of what contribution they can make to the “machine” ?.
Tax Scam? in many ways it is a tax scam, it is certainly used for one! – Griffin is far from perfect, and really needs to reconsider a lot of what he says, and of course he has his own motives for discussing peak oil, as it certainly supports his immigration control policies. But we have to ask why so many people voted for such an extreme party, when they had plenty of other options for a protest vote, and what i was hearing last week, just talking to people, was they want to make a statement to the establishment, and most people feel that the BNP is the only party that allows them to do that, so that is why i do think it matters.