Whilst the programme itself was a glorious missed opportunity, the BBC is to be congratulated for last night’s Question Time, dominated by the controversial appearance of the BNP leader, Nick Griffin. Congratulated on two counts: firstly by resurrecting the British public’s interest in politics – so badly damaged by the MP’s expenses scandal – and, secondly, providing them with one of those rare events that polarises opinion so markedly.
Everyone is talking about the programme, and it dominates the day-time media. I have just listened to two members of the public rowing, on a radio talk-in, about Jack Straw’s father. Wonderful! The significance of that is not in its subject matter but, in the mere fact that passions have once again been aroused; the importance of that should not be under-estimated. It is crucial that we, as a nation, are not allowed to become apathetic.
However, what disturbs me is that our senior politicians are still failing to comprehend the subliminal message which, I believe, is being sent by those who do protest-vote for the BNP. That message is that people, generally, are fed-up of feeling marginalised by globalisation and that our elected members of parliament are failing to appropriately inform, consult and represent us on key issues.
It is, in fairness, a two-way street. If we do not as a body of people show an interest in politics – turn-outs of fewer than 50% in any election is frankly pathetic – then we do not deserve good quality representation. However, in return for our engagement, we should be entitled to our representatives displaying leadership, integrity and moral fortitude.
This is where I feel last night’s programme was a missed opportunity. Once again we were treated to a session of politics with no substance, because the modus operandi was to attack others – predominantly on this occasion Griffin and the BNP. When is a politician going to have the backbone to display the characteristics that I have just mentioned and tell us what their party is actually going to do to help us recover from this recession, get people back to work, address the failing health and education programmes and properly tackle law and order?
As a result, being a supporter of no particular party, those on the panel from our three major parties did nothing to grasp the nettle and tell me why I should vote for them next year. Political activists need to learn the lesson fast; otherwise this newly-generated passion will soon be lost again. Carpe Diem!