Controversy Over Nick Griffin Visit

Just recently, the University of Bath, received a request for the Leader of the British National Party, Nick Griffin, to speak at an event on campus. Nick Griffin is scheduled to arrive on the 14th of May; just six days time – and this announcement has already sparked a somewhat heated debate in certain circles.

The Bath University Secretary, Mark Humphriss, recently sent out an internal news item saying that the meeting would go ahead as planned, as the University of Bath website claims that:

So far as is reasonably practicable, no premises of the University shall be denied to any individual or body of persons on any grounds connected with the beliefs or views of that individual or of that body, or the policy or objectives of that body.

This seems a perfectly good and sensible policy to me, however, there has been much dissension among, what could ostensibly labelled as the authoritarian liberal-left of the student and university body. The three campus trade unions, UCU, Unison and Amicus have jointly released a document stating:

We are extremely disappointed that the University has made this decision, as we do not think it is a freedom of speech issue, but a freedom from harassment issue.

Though they have said they will peacefully protest against the BNP meeting and will not actively try to stop it, I think this gives a good insight into their general mindset. I wonder though, would these Unions have been protesting so profusely; or indeed at all, if for example an archaic Communist such as Hugo Chavez wished to speak at a similar event?

In addition, the useless Bath Student Union even went as far as to call an ‘extraordinary meeting’ to discuss the proposal in detail, in the Elements Bar (any excuse,) and numerous Bath students have signed up to a number of the now seemingly obligatory and pointless facebook groups that never achieve anything except to further inflate the egos of their creators.

In reality, the controversy surrounding this public meeting has not been created by Nick Griffin, the British National Party or even the speaking event which has yet to happen – no, the supposed controversy has been sparked by an increasing number of anti free speech protesters, who somehow believe that they should be free to infringe upon the rights of others just because they do not agree with their views.

If they believe that their ‘tolerant’ and ‘diverse’ views are superior to that of racist and bigoted Nick Griffin, then they should let him attend and simply defeat his arguments. If however, they are fearful that they cannot and will not defeat him in an open and fair speaking event, then perhaps they should reconsider their beliefs? In fact, the only intolerant and hypocritical persons are those people that preach tolerance only when it suits them, diversity only when it suits them and freedom of speech only when it suits them. They claim to be upholders of liberty and freedom, though quite clearly are not, and are, in that respect, just as bad as the BNP.

This all comes at the same time as the BNP suprisingly gained their first elected (though uncontested) councillor in the South West. It should also be noted that the student BNP activist here in Bath (yes, there is only one,) is more active than the Labour party, who are virtually non-existent – though nobody ever seems to take much issue with that.

I say, give Mr Griffin his chance. Let him speak. Let him say what he wishes, within the bounds of the law. Let him argue his point. Let him make racist statements and claims if he wishes, and show himself up for what he truly is – but do not deny him these rights and the oxygen of publicity, because in doing so, you fall to his level, which is where the BNP want you.