Politicky stuff

[anotherusedpage]

I find it interesting that the BNP gained votes in the all postal ballot areas. I wonder if it's easier to admit to being a racist in the privacy of your own home.

Of course, it's the postal votes where anonymity isn't absolute, because although they're not SUPPOSED to open the vote envelope at the same time as the envelope with your signature on it, when it comes down to it there's actually nothing stopping them. So I don't quite understand why you'd feel safer voting BNP through a postal vote.

Also, voting for UKIP in the European elections seems to be something of a contradiction in terms.

Bloody glad that Red Ken (Or at least Still-reder-than-most-if-slightly-faded-to-pink Ken) kept the London Mayor. It irritated me that he was losing votes for selling out when he left the labour party, and then he lost votes again for selling out when he rejoined the damn thing.

Comments

[knirirr.livejournal.com]

I wonder if it's easier to admit to being a racist in the privacy of your own home.

I suspect that it is, and for a very good reason. The word "racist" is commonly used to apply to anyone with whom the speaker disagrees and there is virutually no defence against it.
People should be entitled to vote for the BNP if they wish. However, they are very sinister indeed, particulary if one looks past the superficial "racist" label. I find Mr. Galloway's lot to be similarly sinister, but there is no handy "racist" brush to tar them with so their equivalent authoritarian villainy goes relatively un-noticed.

Also, voting for UKIP in the European elections seems to be something of a contradiction in terms.

I suppose that it's similar to SNP MPs sitting at Westminster. If people who don't like the European government are forced to endure it, it seems reasonable to send representatives who will put forward this point of view.
Of course, the UKIP would be called "racist" or "xenophobic" as well, but one could argue against the USE without recourse to any hatred of foreigners whatsoever.

[anotherusedpage.livejournal.com]

one could argue against the USE without recourse to any hatred of foreigners whatsoever.
One could, but people very rarely do. And if not overt xenophobia, then at least over-patriotic sentiments that I find both incomprehensible and kinda scary, even if they aren't directly racist. People who have less understanding of what UKIP are saying take can take their stand as an ok for more extreme forms patriotism and racism.
As for misusing the racist label.. well, the most racist thing anyone has ever said to me in my entire life was 'don't be stupid, you can't be suffering from racist abuse, you're white.' People use it in a very blinkered way - but just because of that shouldn't mean that it can't be used in, say, disuading people from voting for the BNP.

Of course you have to say that people should be able to vote for whom they want, but at the same time, making it easier for people to vote for the BNP isn't what I'd call a good move.
Sorry, this isn't very comprehensible, but I'm tired and revising.

[knirirr.livejournal.com]

the most racist thing anyone has ever said to me in my entire life was 'don't be stupid, you can't be suffering from racist abuse, you're white.'

Strangely enough, I've had similar things said to me, too.