I caught 10 minutes of a debate on freedom of speech & the BNP on TV this morning - hosted by the ubiquitous Nicky Campbell.

 

Now I find the policies, attitudes and many of the personalities associated with the BNP deeply offensive, however as we live in a democracy it is the undeniable right for people to hold these views and to publicise / broadcast them.

 

I firmly believe that the best way to prevent the growth in support for the BNP is to allow them to engage with the public widely and for the mainstream political party's to engage in a sensible debate with them.

 

Only in this way will the element of the public that voted BNP on June 4th see them for what they really are.

 

Sure, many people will want to protest against the BNP - shout slogans, wave banners etc.

 

This is fine as long as the protesters don't sink to the level of throwing eggs etc or trying to stop BNP politicians speaking or appearing at public meetings.

 

The strength of our democracy can, in part, be gauged by how people holding minority views, no matter how odious many of us find them, are allowed to express those views to the wider community.

 

Some of what I have tried to say is captured in the following clip from the film "The American President".

 

I know that it's a little OTT (well it is Hollywood) but there are actually some really good points about the nature of democracy and the use of fear as a political tool.

 

 

We have been on holiday for the last week (recovering from election season!) and have only had intermittant internet access - hence the lack of posts.

 

However, now back from the Cote D'Azur and I will be regularly updating the blog...........

An all round good result for Broxbourne Conservatives last night - all 6 County seats were won.

 

2 highlights - our "own" division of Cheshunt Central was comfortably defended by sitting Councillor Dave Hewitt.

 

Secondly, sitting Councillor Terry Price successfully defended his marginal Waltham Cross seat with an increased majority.

 

 

Overall, a disasterous night for Labour - beaten into 3rd place across the district by the BNP and only a handful of votes in front of the Lib Dems.

 

It's painful to report the BNP "success" last night - they can now claim, with some justification, to be the second party in Broxbourne - at least in terms of votes cast.

 

It may be the BNP was the home of the "protest vote" for people angry at recent developments at Westminster. I do hope so as I really find it hard to believe that so many people in Broxbourne really understand and truely support the views and politics of the BNP.

 

 

 

Thanks to Dave Hewitt for short film of the 4th June "official declaration"

 

Well, that's the end of this years campaign - the last leaflets have been delivered and the last doors knocked on in Cheshunt Central Division.

 

The day's drama has been a wound (dog bite) suffered by fellow leafleter James Burdett this morning - this was caused by the worse type of dog, the sneaky sort that doesn't bark & waits by the letter box...............

 

A long day ahead "telling" at various polling stations in Cheshunt followed by the count of the County Council votes.

 

Broxbourne is unusual in that the County results will be declared in the "wee small hours" of Friday morning - most results in other areas will be declared from Friday lunchtime onwards.

 

Remember to listen in to Iain Dale's results programme on playradiouk.com from 9am on Friday morning.

 

 

The only remaining question is will we be doing this all again in a few weeks time for the General Election?