I agree with Linda that there is a need to more carefully examine the reasons behind these votes.
Personally, I hope that these votes are more of a protest at the current state of affairs than a genuine rise in 'white extremism' in the UK - and numbers will fall away as conditions improve. My suspicion is that many of the votes come from the ill-informed idea that 'immigrants' are 'stealing' jobs in a time when unemployment is rising - propagated by the BNP and others.
I have just returned from the Normandy D-Day celebrations with my grandfather - and while it is a giant leap from here to a repeat of the experience of Germany, there are some very important historical lessons which should not be forgotten.
Best,
Allan
-----Original Message-----
From: A forum for critical and radical geographers [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Linda Kaucher
Sent: 10 June 2009 11:12
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: petition: hope not hate
Those MEPs did not get there by magic, people voted for them.
The very obvious question is why people voted that way.
But strangely, in the endless talk, and all the 'disgust', that very obvious question is not being asked.
Instead there is an attack on the democratic process - dangerous action of itself.
Such a reaction most certainly does not answer that key question.
Such a reaction most certainly does nothing about people's tendency to vote in that direction.
And it is strongly promoted by New Labour and other parties who have sent military forces overseas to kill, in wars no one wanted.
LK
________________________________
From: A forum for critical and radical geographers on behalf of Jo Norcup
Sent: Wed 6/10/2009 9:24 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: petition: hope not hate
People may be aware that the right wing fascist British National Party gained
two seats representing Britain in the recent European elections. If you are
disgusted as I am, you might want to sign the hope not hate petition to be
presented to the European Parliament. The link is below:
http://action.hopenothate.org.uk/page/s/notinmyname
All best wishes
Jo
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