Don’t shout at your reflection

I've been watching the BBC Six O’clock News and I am finding it confusing when I see the protestors protesting against Nick Griffin appearing on tonight’s question time. We live in a democratic society meaning that every person - and in this case, political party - has the right to equal representation of their views and beliefs regardless of their agreeability. This is what makes our society a diverse milieu of cultures and opinions.

Although I strongly disagree with the BNP's existence, I would be wrong to deny their right to appear in a public forum such as Question Time. This would be paradoxical as it could be seen to undermine democracy itself by denying a minority set of values to be shared just because the majority disagrees with them.

Whether we like it or not, Griffin is a publicly elected MP and therefore the BBC would be breaking its own Charter which obliges them to represent the UK, its nations, regions and communities.

I am wondering whether our society is now looking in the mirror of the television screen and not liking its reflection. After all, the BBC is only reflecting the UK. Therefore, should we be taking this opportunity to heed this reflection as a warning of the changes happening within our society. I would hope that some of us will use this as an opportunity to ask how we can heal ideological divisions within society – why did some portions of the public feel compelled to vote in MPs standing for the BNP?