The List

This week in the UK, the mmbership details of a far right (legitimate ) political party the British National Party (BNP) were published on the internet. This has obviously stimulated a lot of debate about them concerning their policies, their legitimacy and the rights of crtain organisations such as the police to prohibit their members from joining.

Far right and far left viewpoints have a place in a valid democracy so attempting to legislate against them purely to stifle them is wrong and achieves nothing. Conversely, it would probably do more to encourage the less-palatable aspects associated with them.

I've only seen one name on the list that recognise, but I knew of his affiliations anyway. I may not agree with his views but I hope, given where he lives, that this does not compromise his lifestyle or personal safety.

However, certain organisations have a mission and purpose that has to represent and support the society we have now. They must have a right and indeed a requirement not to employ people who are members of other organisations which seek to challenge that purpose. How can you work constructively in a community that you privately seek to undermine? It won't work for anyone involved, least of all the member in question. Good career move eh?

I think a key issue with migrants is their rights and access to public services. The normal argument being that they have not contributed via the tax system and therefore should not benefit. I think this misses however, a crucial point in that we live in a global society and have done for many years. The technology we have is not British, the actual finance behind it is neither. The cost to the individual is also confusing. It takes a lot more to give up your homeland, friends and family to make a new life than it does to live in the Midlands all your life and pay a few hundred pounds tax every month.

But we are an island and people generally like what they know and the pursuit of an inclusive agenda has alienated many traditional communities, like the Erewash valley near here. Need it? I don't think so, the culture is still predominantly of that traditional British ilk, and the second and third generations of immigrant families are increasingly becoming part off that.

What concerns me more than the multi nature of culture is rather its quality - the culture that these younger generations are absorbing is the XFactor culture, rather than the culture that we as living historians seek to promote. :?