Democracy or Democrazy? Question Time: episode "Destroy The BNP"

In Question Time's latest episode, Nick Griffin, the leader of the BNP plays the underdog character, the prevailing hero, as he is tied to the lashing post by the producers; who I now wish to call 'directors' - he has committed a fellon on board the ship and must be punished likewise. His views are irrelevant on such real-time issues as Iraq and Afghanistan. His character is rigorously attacked by the panel; tied back to their chairs, not by microphone cabling, but by chains - which hold the pitbulls just inches from the perspiring face of Griffin, who does not cower. Instead, he tries to fend them off, with no weapons, he battles against them; who led by the Captain, the grand Admiral, who commands from which direction the lashes shalt come, the Lord Vader of political programming, David Dimbleby. As the crew watch on with mixed feelings; some rally around Admiral Dimbleby, baying for further blood; some take a more conservative viewpoint, but do not wish to walk the plank with the main target - the usurper, of whom Labour fears implicitly and the Conservatives cannot frankly be bothered with. Then suddenly, as if from nowhere, Jack Straw, a weak, yet experienced pirate, respected by all of those who sit inside his sinking ship, HMS Gordon Brown; offers Griffin a way out. Straw plays the roots card and questions the authenticity and subsequent use of Griffin's ultimate mentor and ideal figurehead, Churchill as a poster boy for his merry band of pirates. Unfortunately, Straw forgets that this was not the right area to approach, with a pirate whose parentage goes back very loyally to fighting in the largest war in the world, in which Griffin's family fought for the free world - Straw's family hid in the corner whilst the Nazis as Objectors - something he accuses Griffin of idolising, sought to murder, rape pillage and destroy any sign of resisting life they came across. So the movie draws to a cliff top climax, with Griffin narrowly escaping with his life, as the crew decides it is time to move onto something, or someone new. Until the next episode, no-one knows what became of Griffin; what is certain, is that he will have amassed a larger army and will return to contest the leading pirate hordes when the time is right - when he has decided that he can be seen as level with those of whom he dreams of being thought of in the same sense - yet for a reason he cannot determine, his voice has been muted, his eyes blindfolded, as he is held to account for something he knows not what; surely between pirates, viewpoints do not matter to much - he decides he's not a bad man, as he swims in the murky waters below the ship - but wait, what is that? is that a boat in the distance; coming to receive him into their company? Oh wait, its filled with people who recognise him and remember they are not fond of him - but realise that it would be inhumane and disgusting to let him drown in the cold and deep waters of the seas of politics.

Yes, even I have to put in my two cents worth! Basically, I was Student Editor and Producer of Student Question Time in 2008; now this doesn't give me any more authority than anyone else to comment on the newest and most recent 'episode' of Question Time; but I felt I might just voice my thoughts; the same as everyone else. I've decided to call this particular edition of Question Time an 'episode' in the dramatic and operatic style it was presented to the British public. Question Time stood as the pinnacle of British political programming. It was fair. It was just. And perhaps more importantly, it addressed all of the parties who guested on its half-mooned presentation table equally. This, it appears, was a previous incarnation of a once great programme. What went wrong? Well, for a start, someone, whose name I cannot mention, has clearly decided to slant the debate to such an extent, that 'QT' as it was once affectionately know has become the Jeremy Kyle of Political programmes.

My co-editor and I used to jest that 'This Week', the programme that succeeds QT, was a cheap, and hilarious parody of Question Time. We truly believed that we were working for the king-pin of all political programmes; that we were above all others because of our loyalty to debate and to remaining unbiased in all areas. It seems that we were the only producers who believed in this ideal. Please don't misunderstand me, neither myself, nor my family agree or support the British National Party. We do, however, respect the right of any party in this country that operates within the legitimate confines; or rather 'ideals' of the law and British politics.

Understandably, people are concerned over the 'ideals' of the British National Party. However, they must not fear them. Fear of the British National Party will not offer us a true democracy - it will distort the way in which we vote; with people deciding to opt to vote for safety in politics rather than ideals. We must vote for who we believe is right; ourselves. We cannot let this party cloud our aims of reaching a perfectly democratic country. We still have yet to reach this pinnacle, clearly; with ushered mutterings of expenses claims eventually morphing into outcries from the public themselves, and ridiculous apologies from MP's who were 'caught short' - for want of a less damaging and more politically suitable word (something the Labour Party could surely come up with).

A wise man once said: "monsieur, je déteste ce que vous écrivez, mais je donnerai ma vie pour que vous puissiez continuer à écrire". Translated, this statement reads: "Sir, I detest what you write, but I would give my life to make it possible for you to continue to write". My political mind is entirely based around this quote. Voltaire was willing to die for something he did not agree with; he was willing to die for the right to freedom. William Wallace also died in the fight for freedom, alongside countless others who campaigned for freedom and the right to democracy. Do not forget this; and think about the issues raised here - decide for yourselves.