Peter Hain steals the BNP's thunder

[5intheface]

Former British Government Minister, Peter Hain has warned his party of complacency following the unseating of a Labour candidate by the BNP during a by-election in the Sevenoaks Council area of Kent.

BBC NEWS | Politics | Hain voices fear over BNP victory

Hain went on to say that Labour supporters were potential converts to the far right as the recession assists the BNP's fortunes.

Most interestingly, he asserted that Government should fight back by ensuring that local people were prioritised for jobs above foreign workers.

Isn't that a little like German Politicians in the 1930s calling for Jews to be 'slapped about a bit' in order to stop the far right from practicing genocide? Apologies if that is an exaggerated analogy.

Now I am not looking for a discussion on the rights and wrongs of immigration, there are enough threads on that already, rather, I would like to know people's opinions on whether Hain is simply assuming the BNP's clothes and will more and more Irish Politicians begin to espouse similar opinions?

[Gabha Óir]

Ironic given the colour of his skin

[Catalpa]

The (New) Labour Party have only themselves to blame - their contempt for the English Working Class is legendry.

The BNP on this particular issue are telling the truth and are making headway as a result.

Ironic indeed that someone like Hain (whose anti apartheid credentials are impeccable) is leading the charge here.

[5intheface]

Whether or not you agree with Hain or the BNP for that matter, is it legal for an EU member to give preference to local workers above foreign nationals?

[Darren Mac an Phríora]

The main story in The Independent yesterday was about the BNP possibly winning two MEP seats.

[Squire Allworthy]

It is OK for us to go abroad and work, but not OK for them to come here and work?

Am I the only one that sees problems with this position?

[corelli]

Whether or not you agree with Hain or the BNP for that matter, is it legal for an EU member to give preference to local workers above foreign nationals?

No it's not if you mean nationals of other EU member States that are not restricted in access to our job markets. It would be classed as discrimination, under various directives, including equality ones. Nationality being the ground.

If they are in, they are in. End of story.

[Breadan O'Connor]

Now I am not looking for a discussion on the rights and wrongs of immigration, there are enough threads on that already, rather, I would like to know people's opinions on whether Hain is simply assuming the BNP's clothes and will more and more Irish Politicians begin to espouse similar opinions?

The british establishment will never allow the BNP to become a strong electoral force.

A few months ago the BNP membership list was leaked on the internet.

Phoenix magazine reported that this was done by MI5 probably in order to damage the BNP.

[barnaby rudge]

It is OK for us to go abroad and work, but not OK for them to come here and work?

Am I the only one that sees problems with this position?

The so called 'free movement of labour' concept was always a con for the UK (and Irish) workers because for political, cultural and linguistic reasons the migrant flow was always disproportionately inward and was known to be so by the political and business classes that initiated and benefited from it. This tendency was masked while the credit bubble expanded but now that it's 'popped' the authors of our political destiny are revealed as the mendacious prats that they always were. No doubt the 'usual suspects' will be wheeling out the blunt instruments o 'Anti-racism' and 'no-to-xenophobia' to close down debate and protest but no society is going to remain passive while it is economically marginalised by other nations nationals benefiting by their misfortune.

[evercloserunion]

No it's not if you mean nationals of other EU member States that are not restricted in access to our job markets. It would be classed as discrimination, under various directives, including equality ones. Nationality being the ground.

If they are in, they are in. End of story.

With narrow exceptions, of course.