BNP to allow Black members for the first time

[hibsbollah]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8308582.stm
I'm sure there will be a rush from Britains ethnic community to join up:wink:


BNP leader Nick Griffin has agreed to ask his party to amend its constitution so it does not discriminate on grounds of race or religion, a court heard. The UK's equalities watchdog had argued the BNP broke the Race Relations Act by restricting members to "indigenous Caucasian" people.
The court heard Mr Griffin had agreed to use "all reasonable endeavours" to revise its constitution.
BNP members will be asked to agree to the changes at a meeting in November.
Mr Griffin was not at the hearing at Central London County Court on Thursday morning.
Respect the law
But Robin Allen QC, counsel for the commission, said Mr Griffin had agreed to present party members with a revised constitution at its general meeting next month and the party had agreed not to accept new members in the meantime.
The BNP agreed to use "all reasonable endeavours" to revise its constitution so it did not discriminate on what are termed "protected characteristics" in clause four of the Equality Bill - which include race, gender and religious belief.
But BBC correspondent Andy Tighe said it remained to be seen whether Mr Griffin could persuade his party to allow the change.
John Wadham, of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said: "We are pleased the party has conceded this case and agreed to all of the Commission requirements.
"Political parties, like any other organisation, are obliged to respect the law and not discriminate against people.
"It is unfortunate the BNP spent several months before conceding and dealing properly with our legal requirements. We will be monitoring the BNP's compliance with this court order on membership, and its other legal obligations, including to its constituents."
More important issues
A BNP spokesman told the BBC: "We have got to comply if we want to stay in the game. Of course it's not right, it's an infringement of our rights."
On the BNP website Mr Griffin had asked supporters to help fund the "horrendous" bills for the legal case and accused the commission of "trying to bankrupt us".
Richard Barnbrook, the party's representative on the London Assembly, said he believed BNP members would vote in favour of a reformed constitution.
"The first reason being that trying to fight this court case would bankrupt the party and we have more important issues to deal with, including elections."
The court heard Mr Griffin would be given 10 days to submit a signed undertaking confirming the proposed changes. The case was adjourned until January 28.

[poolman]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8308582.stm
I'm sure there will be a rush from Britains ethnic community to join up:wink:


BNP leader Nick Griffin has agreed to ask his party to amend its constitution so it does not discriminate on grounds of race or religion, a court heard. The UK's equalities watchdog had argued the BNP broke the Race Relations Act by restricting members to "indigenous Caucasian" people.
The court heard Mr Griffin had agreed to use "all reasonable endeavours" to revise its constitution.
BNP members will be asked to agree to the changes at a meeting in November.
Mr Griffin was not at the hearing at Central London County Court on Thursday morning.
Respect the law
But Robin Allen QC, counsel for the commission, said Mr Griffin had agreed to present party members with a revised constitution at its general meeting next month and the party had agreed not to accept new members in the meantime.
The BNP agreed to use "all reasonable endeavours" to revise its constitution so it did not discriminate on what are termed "protected characteristics" in clause four of the Equality Bill - which include race, gender and religious belief.
But BBC correspondent Andy Tighe said it remained to be seen whether Mr Griffin could persuade his party to allow the change.
John Wadham, of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said: "We are pleased the party has conceded this case and agreed to all of the Commission requirements.
"Political parties, like any other organisation, are obliged to respect the law and not discriminate against people.
"It is unfortunate the BNP spent several months before conceding and dealing properly with our legal requirements. We will be monitoring the BNP's compliance with this court order on membership, and its other legal obligations, including to its constituents."
More important issues
A BNP spokesman told the BBC: "We have got to comply if we want to stay in the game. Of course it's not right, it's an infringement of our rights."
On the BNP website Mr Griffin had asked supporters to help fund the "horrendous" bills for the legal case and accused the commission of "trying to bankrupt us".
Richard Barnbrook, the party's representative on the London Assembly, said he believed BNP members would vote in favour of a reformed constitution.
"The first reason being that trying to fight this court case would bankrupt the party and we have more important issues to deal with, including elections."
The court heard Mr Griffin would be given 10 days to submit a signed undertaking confirming the proposed changes. The case was adjourned until January 28.


Dinny haud yer breath

[Phil D. Rolls]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8308582.stm
I'm sure there will be a rush from Britains ethnic community to join up:wink:


BNP leader Nick Griffin has agreed to ask his party to amend its constitution so it does not discriminate on grounds of race or religion, a court heard. The UK's equalities watchdog had argued the BNP broke the Race Relations Act by restricting members to "indigenous Caucasian" people.
The court heard Mr Griffin had agreed to use "all reasonable endeavours" to revise its constitution.
BNP members will be asked to agree to the changes at a meeting in November.
Mr Griffin was not at the hearing at Central London County Court on Thursday morning.
Respect the law
But Robin Allen QC, counsel for the commission, said Mr Griffin had agreed to present party members with a revised constitution at its general meeting next month and the party had agreed not to accept new members in the meantime.
The BNP agreed to use "all reasonable endeavours" to revise its constitution so it did not discriminate on what are termed "protected characteristics" in clause four of the Equality Bill - which include race, gender and religious belief.
But BBC correspondent Andy Tighe said it remained to be seen whether Mr Griffin could persuade his party to allow the change.
John Wadham, of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said: "We are pleased the party has conceded this case and agreed to all of the Commission requirements.
"Political parties, like any other organisation, are obliged to respect the law and not discriminate against people.
"It is unfortunate the BNP spent several months before conceding and dealing properly with our legal requirements. We will be monitoring the BNP's compliance with this court order on membership, and its other legal obligations, including to its constituents."
More important issues
A BNP spokesman told the BBC: "We have got to comply if we want to stay in the game. Of course it's not right, it's an infringement of our rights."
On the BNP website Mr Griffin had asked supporters to help fund the "horrendous" bills for the legal case and accused the commission of "trying to bankrupt us".
Richard Barnbrook, the party's representative on the London Assembly, said he believed BNP members would vote in favour of a reformed constitution.
"The first reason being that trying to fight this court case would bankrupt the party and we have more important issues to deal with, including elections."
The court heard Mr Griffin would be given 10 days to submit a signed undertaking confirming the proposed changes. The case was adjourned until January 28.

A dim bulb brightens.

[Mon Dieu4]

Great, where do I sign up? :faf:

[BravestHibs]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8308582.stm
I'm sure there will be a rush from Britains ethnic community to join up:wink:


BNP leader Nick Griffin has agreed to ask his party to amend its constitution so it does not discriminate on grounds of race or religion, a court heard. The UK's equalities watchdog had argued the BNP broke the Race Relations Act by restricting members to "indigenous Caucasian" people.
The court heard Mr Griffin had agreed to use "all reasonable endeavours" to revise its constitution.
BNP members will be asked to agree to the changes at a meeting in November.
Mr Griffin was not at the hearing at Central London County Court on Thursday morning.
Respect the law
But Robin Allen QC, counsel for the commission, said Mr Griffin had agreed to present party members with a revised constitution at its general meeting next month and the party had agreed not to accept new members in the meantime.
The BNP agreed to use "all reasonable endeavours" to revise its constitution so it did not discriminate on what are termed "protected characteristics" in clause four of the Equality Bill - which include race, gender and religious belief.
But BBC correspondent Andy Tighe said it remained to be seen whether Mr Griffin could persuade his party to allow the change.
John Wadham, of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said: "We are pleased the party has conceded this case and agreed to all of the Commission requirements.
"Political parties, like any other organisation, are obliged to respect the law and not discriminate against people.
"It is unfortunate the BNP spent several months before conceding and dealing properly with our legal requirements. We will be monitoring the BNP's compliance with this court order on membership, and its other legal obligations, including to its constituents."
More important issues
A BNP spokesman told the BBC: "We have got to comply if we want to stay in the game. Of course it's not right, it's an infringement of our rights."
On the BNP website Mr Griffin had asked supporters to help fund the "horrendous" bills for the legal case and accused the commission of "trying to bankrupt us".
Richard Barnbrook, the party's representative on the London Assembly, said he believed BNP members would vote in favour of a reformed constitution.
"The first reason being that trying to fight this court case would bankrupt the party and we have more important issues to deal with, including elections."
The court heard Mr Griffin would be given 10 days to submit a signed undertaking confirming the proposed changes. The case was adjourned until January 28.

Well I'm convinced. And to think I was a floating voter before.

[hibsbollah]

Great, where do I sign up? :faf:

They'd make the trains run on time:agree::faf:

[Mon Dieu4]

They'd make the trains run on time:agree::faf:

:faf:

[hibsbollah]

:faf:

You'd also be able to use the 'P***' word just like the good old days.

[steakbake]

hmm. recent threads on hnet have confused me.

does this mean that if the BNP have black and minority ethnic members, that they are no longer a racist party?

i bet the queue to join will be rather short.

[Phil D. Rolls]

hmm. recent threads on hnet have confused me.

does this mean that if the BNP have black and minority ethnic members, that they are no longer a racist party?

i bet the queue to join will be rather short.

For some reason I'm thinking about Blazing Saddles - "the BNP is pleased to welcome our new Ngggggggghhh!"

[Dashing Bob S]

Sadly, and it says a lot about race is Britain, we have about much chance of having a black BNP Prime Minister as a Labour, Tory or Lib Dem one.

[Vini1875]

If it's true then it makes sense for ethnic minorities to join and lots of them. That way they could affect change from the inside. I would imagine that the racists in the BNP would move on probably forming some other party this would further dilute the racist parties and spread finaces so thinly that there would be no chance of them being elected anywhere.

If the orange lodge open their doors to Catholics I'll be in there like a shot with as many Catholics as I can muster. Making a motion for green uniforms for the band right away and pints of Murphys to be sold at the bar. We could even have a lodge motto "like the Murphys we're not bitter".

Back in reality. The BNP probably feel forced into this and I doubt a single non-white person will be joining or made welcome.

[gringojoe]

All we need now is the Black Police Officers Associations/Black Union Members Society and such like to start letting in unblack people and we have a fair society, let the love in begin.

[LiverpoolHibs]

All we need now is the Black Police Officers Associations/Black Union Members Society and such like to start letting in unblack people and we have a fair society, let the love in begin.

Er, they already do...

[Woody1985]

hmm. recent threads on hnet have confused me.

does this mean that if the BNP have black and minority ethnic members, that they are no longer a racist party?

i bet the queue to join will be rather short.

I suspect a few people will attempt to join to test the constitutional change.


Sadly, and it says a lot about race is Britain, we have about much chance of having a black BNP Prime Minister as a Labour, Tory or Lib Dem one.

Personally I think that too much is made of this.

If 5% (made up figure) of people in the country are black then you would expect the same ratios in parliment.

However, there are lots of aspects to consider. I suspect that 1st generation immigrants probably don't look to get into politics. Could that then filter down to 2nd/3rd generation who don't take a keen interest.

I think it'll be a while before we see a more balanced ratio but the people, regardless of race or beliefs, have to be the correct people with the correct knowledge to do the job.

[lyonhibs]

One imagines they will be swamped with membership with the non-white communities in Britain, who they have strived so hard to represent over the years.............. :rolleyes::confused:

[gringojoe]

Er, they already do...

Misleading titles they have then.

[Chuckie]

For some reason I'm thinking about Blazing Saddles - "the BNP is pleased to welcome our new Ngggggggghhh!"


:tee hee:

William J. LePetomane (Griffin) -

'Have you gone berserk? Can't you see that man is a ni...'

[Phil D. Rolls]

If it's true then it makes sense for ethnic minorities to join and lots of them. That way they could affect change from the inside. I would imagine that the racists in the BNP would move on probably forming some other party this would further dilute the racist parties and spread finaces so thinly that there would be no chance of them being elected anywhere.

If the orange lodge open their doors to Catholics I'll be in there like a shot with as many Catholics as I can muster. Making a motion for green uniforms for the band right away and pints of Murphys to be sold at the bar. We could even have a lodge motto "like the Murphys we're not bitter".

Back in reality. The BNP probably feel forced into this and I doubt a single non-white person will be joining or made welcome.

That's all we need - religion in the room!

[Phil D. Rolls]

Misleading titles they have then.

Yoda?

[Chuckie]

Yoda?


Mungo. :dunno:

[Green Mikey]

Yoda?

it might be him...Yoda did have something against the Dark Side.

[gringojoe]

Yoda?

Eh?

[Chuckie]

Eh?

Mungo. :agree:

[sadtom]

They'd make the trains run on time:agree::faf:


All aboard!
Next stop Sudetenland.