Close members of my family lived and worked in Iran for many years. Agree that Reza does not come across as an Iranian at all.

I’ll make it simple for you.

1. You ignore the fact that the two largest democratic nations in the world, whilst indeed having a dominant majority culture in both cases, are not internally ethnically or culturally homogenous. I’m referring to the United States and (particularly) India. The latter’s post-independent ethos is essentially the same as that of the US, ie. “out of many, one”. And on the whole, it has been successful.

Even Iran, while less diverse than India, certainly isn’t homogenous, either culturally or ethnically. If you really are Iranian, you should know that. If.

2. Islam, which you claim has an “awful belief system and ideology”, isn’t represented solely by mullahs, Wahhabis, Islamists, terrorists or warlords, either historically or in the present day. This certainly hasn’t been the case in historical Iran in particular (or neighbouring South Asia, for that matter). If you really are Iranian, you should know that. If.

3. You claimed that Pakistan is “culturally and ethnically homogenous”. It isn’t. Given the extensive historical and cultural links between Persia and the northern half of the subcontinent (along with Hyderabad in the south), not to mention the immediate proximity of the two regions, if you really are Iranian then you should know that. If.

4. You claimed that “Muslims in India haven’t assimilated in even a thousand years”. This assertion is factually and historically completely false. If you really are Iranian then you should know that. If.

5. One more thing, since you’re so adamant about becoming “fully English” and mirroring the worst aspects of bigotry towards Asians, and Muslims in particular: The latter is predominantly a relic of Victorian-era Evangelism, the culturally corrosive effect of imperial conquest, and the extensive degree of calculated social re-engineering and historical revisionism which was systematically implemented from the early/mid-19th century onwards. Prior to that, English people in general, and specifically those who had extensive contact with South Asia (most of all, those who actually lived in the subcontinent) did not have any of those attitudes.

In fact, I expect you’d be shocked at the level of cultural assimilation and even conversion to Islam which was prevalent amongst a surprisingly large number of English men and women living in India, right up to the events of 1857. And at the time, the interpretation of Islam in the major political and cultural centres, coupled with the associated culture itself, had little in common with the “Islamists” or the stereotypes you’re referring to.

But again, if you really are Iranian, you should know that. If.

Which leads us to two possible conclusions: Either you’re not actually of Iranian origin at all and you’re masquerading as such in order to present an “acceptable” face to racist attitudes — knowing that, as someone claiming to speak as “an individual originally from the other side of the fence and with inside knowledge”, in some cases it would decrease the likelihood of your attitudes being challenged; or you’re someone of Iranian origin who has psychologically disconnected himself from (and renounced) his own ethnicity and ancestry to such an extent that you have a level of bigotry and ignorance about Iran and the Indian subcontinent which would be expected more from a racist non-Iranian/non-Indian person who has had practically zero experience or knowledge of either regions and their respective peoples, culture and history.

The three posts by Sunny on this issue all have the same message: that the BBC is at fault for the interview style. That seems a trivial detail, compared to the question of whether the party ought to be banned entirely. If you allow them to speak freely, and to communicate with journalists, then you can expect that journalists will have different approaches to them. Some of them will do ‘soft’ interviews.

It also says something about the bloggers who took up the case of the interview. What if the interviewer had in fact pointed out, that their panda analogy was false, or that Ashley Cole was born in Britain? Would that have made any difference to BNP members, or BNP voters? The underlying assumption of these critics seems to be that BNP supporters are somehow ‘mistaken’ or ‘misled’, and that pointing out errors will cause the party to disappear. It won’t, so there is no point in asking the media to adopt that as a strategy.

That’s a valid point. Pete Tatchell takes that position, as do Worker’s Liberty. As I guess you know.

What can I say. Is it really beyond your wit to comprehend that I can loathe the BNP, loathe their racism, loathe their far left economic policies yet feel strongly enough about freedom of speech and thought to support their right to exist. And speak.

My own views support assimilationism and one dominant culture and a broad set of values to represent the nation. I deeply oppose multiculturalism. I believe that whilst race no doubt exists, it is irrelevant. I support mixed marriage. What does that have in common with the BNP?

I don’t believe that all cultures are equivalent. I believe that Islam is an awful belief system and ideology which could ultimately take the Europe I love to the level of those oppressive, wretched, backward and corrupt Muslim majority countries.

I oppose uncontrolled mass immigration. I refuse to accept the lie that it has somehow benefited and improved this country. It hasn’t.

And I oppose the constant whitey-bashing that my fellow ‘immigrants’ and the self-hating white multiculturalists indulge in on these pages.

So you guys, I have nothing in common with you. But that doesn’t make me a BNP sympathizer.

I loathe the BNP. Just as much as I loathe moral equivalence, socialism, Islamism and multiculturalism.

Is that really so hard to get your heads around?

Sir Iqbal Sacranie publicly denounced lesbians and gay men, saying they were immoral,harmful and spread disease. Resorting to inflammatory language barely distinguishable from the homophobic tirades of the neo-Nazi BNP, the MCB website demonises same-sex relationships as offensive, immoral and repugnant

Strictly speaking, no. Although the two tend to go together.

Specifically which leaders did you have in mind?

i hate bnp, but how can uaf justify saying ‘stop fascism’ when they have embraced homophobic islamic leaders? is homophobia not fascism also

thanks

MixTogether @ 26: GTFO. The BBC did something stupid. Everyone knows they are realigning their standpoint to placate the alleged incoming Tory brigade and (it would seem) their BNP sensibilities.

Boo hoo! No need to have a hissy fit about it…

Shame you’re working for the wrong side in that case. Labour obviously haven’t taken your critique on board!

You can ask them when they inevitably get around to the latter.

I was against state multiculturalism about three years ago. In fact you can see Guardian articles I’ve written attacking exactly that. The Tories have merely appropriated my terminology.