How big a threat are the British National Party?

UPDATE: Peter Hain's warning that the BNP could get £2 million of EU funding if they gain six European Parliament seats makes me more wary.

Deputy Labour Party leader Harriet Harman has said that the British National Party "are a bigger threat than they have been before."

Recession always encourages extremism, from whatever area. There is a rise in anger amongst people, and the extremists such as the BNP feed on this anger.

However, the British National Party failed to make much progress during the recession of the early 1980's (in 1983, they only got 14,621 votes) or the recessions of the late 1980's and early 1990's.

The high point for the far right was during the 1970's. In 1973,the National Front candidate for West Bromwich finished third, with 16% of the total vote and kept his deposit. By 1979, however, the Conservatives were absorbing some of the National Front's support, and anti-racists were beginning to mobilise.

The rise of new media has also helped with opposition to the BNP. Indymedia, which could be said to contain racist content itself given many of the posts regarding Israel, has provided an area for antiracists to meet and plan strategy.

Epping Forest BNP Watch is also an example of an antiracist blog that is well written and of interest to those not directly involved in opposing bigotry.

The return of many Polish workers due to the lack of work means that the British National Party are unable to stir up anti-immigrant feelings to a great degree. The 2008 membership list leak also meant that many members were exposed, and may have meant that some became less active.

Currently people are worried about unemployment, pensions, the recession and a rise in crime. They want parties that offer concrete promises, and I believe that most understand that the BNP has selected promises in many areas only because they appeal to voters, and that they will not honour them when in power.

Does anyone really think that a British National Party in power would establish worker co-operatives, for example?

As for their crazy idea that all citizens should keep a rifle and ammunition in their homes, I wonder how much support that will have. What happens if a binge drinker comes home and shoots his rifle at passing traffic?

The British National Party have also been shown to be twisted and useless when elected, as shown in Barking and Dagenham,

I'm more worried about Irish dissidents such as Oglaigh na hEireann and the neo-nazi group Combat 18 than the British National Party. Doesn't mean we shouldn't oppose their views, however, and educate people about them.

And if you're still tempted to vote for the British National Party, can you really imagine Nick Griffin as Prime Minister?

Harriet Harman can also do her best to fight the BNP by making sure she stamps out expense claim abuses in her party and work with Conservatives and Liberal Democrats to do the same in their parties, in order to make sure people have more faith in the political system.