Nevertheless, people generally understand that the BNP are a bunch of racist scumbags who need to be opposed, regardless of exactly how we categorise their politics or how we think we should best go about opposing them.

Unless, of course, you’re Conservative Future.

Earlier this year, Michael Rock, Chairman of CF, said

I would find it very difficult to authorise a coordinated campaign against the BNP if the terms of discourse and engagement were not properly defined: the BNP are a party of hate and have their roots in the left wing traditions of fascism.

In other words, unless you agree with CF’s view of the BNP, they won’t work with you against the BNP.

xD.

Remember this story in The Sun from earlier in the year?

Fears grew last night that hate-filled Islamic extremists are drawing up a “hit list” of Britain’s leading Jews – bringing the Middle East conflict terrifyingly close to home.

TV’s The Apprentice boss Sir Alan Sugar and Amy Winehouse record producer Mark Ronson are among prominent names discussed on a fanatics’ website. Labour Peer and pal of Tony Blair Lord Levy, Foreign Secretary David Miliband and Princess Diana’s divorce lawyer Anthony Julius are also understood to be potential targets.

In a very fine piece of investigative journalism (remember that?) Tim Ireland of Bloggerheads, with help from Richard Bartholomew, discovered this story to be a massive hoax perpetrated by a man called Glen Jenvey, a man who has in the past worked with Tory MP Patrick Mercer, the parliamentary counterterrorism subcommittee chairman.

Tim’s reward? To be smeared, to have his mental health impugned, to be accused of being a paedophile, lied about, vilified, stalked, and finally his home address made public on the internet. He has had to involve the police. The harassment continues. Those in a real position to help him put an end to this have, disgracefully and unforgivably, refused to do so.

I’m proud to know Tim well and know something of what he’s been through in the last few months. And all for calling someone on their dangerous bullshit. He deserves much better for doing what a far better resourced press and media should have been doing themselves. He deserves full credit and any damage to his reputation restored.

To those who have helped do this to him or stood by and done nothing by allowing petty disputes get in the way of doing the right thing: it won’t be forgotten. This isn’t a game or an inter-blog spat – this is about a person’s safety and well-being and that of his family. The behaviour of some of the prominent Tories involved in all this is gut-churning.

Tim could do with a hand. You could start here.

I’m Dave Cole and I endorse this message. I’ll be writing to my MP later on.

xD.

H/T The Wardman Wire.

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We the undersigned believe that it is inappropriate to use the English libel laws to silence critical discussion of medical practice and scientific evidence.

The British Chiropractic Association has sued Simon Singh for libel. The scientific community would have preferred that it had defended its position about chiropractic for various children’s ailments through an open discussion of the peer reviewed medical literature or through debate in the mainstream media.

Singh holds that chiropractic treatments for asthma, ear infections and other infant conditions are not evidence-based. Where medical claims to cure or treat do not appear to be supported by evidence, we should be able to criticise assertions robustly and the public should have access to these views.

English libel law, though, can serve to punish this kind of scrutiny and can severely curtail the right to free speech on a matter of public interest. It is already widely recognised that the law is weighted heavily against writers: among other things, the costs are so high that few defendants can afford to make their case. The ease and success of bringing cases under the English law, including against overseas writers, has led to London being viewed as the “libel capital” of the world.

Freedom to criticise and question in strong terms and without malice is the cornerstone of scientific argument and debate, whether in peer-reviewed journals, on websites or in newspapers, which have a right of reply for complainants. However, the libel laws and cases such as BCA v Singh have a chilling effect, which deters scientists, journalists and science writers from engaging in important disputes about the evidential base supporting products and practices. The libel laws discourage argument and debate and merely encourage the use of the courts to silence critics.

The English law of libel has no place in scientific disputes about evidence; the BCA should discuss the evidence outside of a courtroom. Moreover, the BCA v Singh case shows a wider problem: we urgently need a full review of the way that English libel law affects discussions about scientific and medical evidence.

Every thousand signatures, Sense About Science will send the statement to the government until there is commitment and a timetable for reform of the English libel laws that, in Prof. Richard Dawkins’ words, “are ridiculed as an international charter for litigious mountebanks, and the effects are especially pernicious where science is concerned”.

You can see additional comments from some of the signatories here. I have signed, and encourage you to do the same by visiting this page.

Just remember what Holford Watch called Professor Frizelle’s Instant Classic: Let’s hear your evidence, not your legal muscle.

There seems to be a real chance that the BNP will gain their first MEP at the forthcoming Euro elections because of the proportional system.

It’s essential that everyone turn out to vote for any party other than the BNP. That’s the BNP who are being advised in the Euro campaign by someone linked to the murder of Chris Hani in South Africa; who think that the current H5N1 flu bug originated in Africa rather than Mexico; who described the Archbishop of York as ‘anti-British’ and said that Ugandans would kill dissenters with spears. And that’s when they’re pretending not to be racist.

The election of a BNP MEP would be bad for three reasons.

Firstly, it’s the BNP; while any success on their part is indicative, to some extent, of the failure of mainstream politics, an election of a BNP candidate brings violence and fear in its wake.

Secondly, it will bring more money, in the form of salaries and allowances, the BNP’s way.

Thirdly, it will allow the formation of a slightly ramshackle, ultra-nationalist bloc in the European Parliament, bringing committee chairs, profile and money towards these squalid criminals.

Under the standing orders of the EP, you need one-fifth countries represented to form a group. The addition of the BNP to the Euronat grouping would see them gaining a decent measure of influence over some European legislation.

Do please make sure you vote and do please try to go to one of the Hope Not Hate event.s

xD.

I do not want to listen to crap music on crap speakers on crap mobiles at the top of the bus. I’ve had enough of Soulja Boy on the tube. I would like it to be quiet in the Quiet Zone on the train.

I don’t mind if people want to listen to music on their headphones. I mind – very much – if they force me to listen to their music when they could just use their headphones.

The solution is clear. Ban the sale of mobile phones that can play music out loud. Sign the petition at petitions.number10.gov.uk/NoMobileMusic/.

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The BNP are preparing a high profile billboard campaign claiming that Jesus Christ would support their policies of racism and hate were He on earth today.

Statements like these – designed to cause offence and whip up interfaith tension – show the reality behind the BNP’s politics of fear. They are exploiting words of peace, love and justice as camouflage for their bigotry. Help us unite 10000 people against them in the next 24 hours!

The petition is here. Please take a moment to sign it.

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Labourspace lets you quickly and easily set up a campaign and share your ideas with the Labourspace community. If you start a campaign which gains the most popular support your ideas will be bought to the attention of senior Labour politicians – your campaign could give you the opportunity to change the world!

You’ll win if you have the idea with the highest net support (supporters – detractors)

All you need is to get the most support for your idea – it’s all about people power really!

Once you’ve registered with the site we’ll give you your very own profile page where you can upload photos, tell the world a little bit about yourself and show other people the campaigns you support (or oppose.)

And then you can get on with the fun – sharing your genius ideas with the world.

The idea that caught my eye most at the Progressive London conference was from Ken himself. Basically, it’s that

every person should pay tax on money in the country where they earn it and, similarly, corporations should pay taxes on profit in the country where they make them. This would have to be done through global and international agreement, effectively closing off tax havens.

I’m thinking of running it up the flagpole and seeing if anyone salutes. Do people think it’s a good idea?

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Further to this comment from Kate Belgrave, the blog of Dave Cole is pleased to present a selection of posts from Liberal Conspiracy concerning abortion.

Northern Ireland women speak on their fight for abortion rights
Report from 7 October Abortion Rights lobby
Report from 7 October Abortion Rights lobby
Has Gordon Brown shagged us all with an anti abortion deal with the DUP?
LC work on Nadine Dorries hypocrisy makes news
Sins of Omission – delusions of the anti choice lobby
Gearing up for report stage of Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill
LC complaint against Nadine Dorries upheld
Saving women’s lives with Sarah Palin

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