Glyn Ford, Labour MEP for the South West, came to Bath yesterday and told me an interesting story about a debate due to happen in Bath.

Hattie and Glyn

Glyn Ford MEP and Hattie Ajderian, Labour PPC for Bath.

It seems that Unlock Democracy (formerly Charter 88) has been organising a Hustings Session at the BRLSI on May 22nd in time for the European Parliament elections.

The Labour, Conservative and Lib Dem parties are planning to meet together to discuss how to handle the BNP but in the meantime, the Labour Party has a strict No Platform Policy when it comes to the BNP. It has to be said that in principle I don’t like “No Platform” policies, but I also don’t think there’s much point in debating with the likes of the BNP. UKIP and the Tories are a laugh, but the BNP is a joke.

As a result, Glyn Ford MEP and all the other Labour Candidates have refused to participate. There has been no concern from the Tories on the matter yet.

Unlock Democracy has put considerable pressure on Labour over the matter, but Glyn Ford who is the national Treasurer for the Anti-Nazi League and a member of Unite Against Fascism’s steering committee said he would be happy to debate against other parties, including UKIP, if the BNP were not present.

In fact, Glyn Ford then challenged the Liberal Democrats to pull out, which they have done, and the Green Party likewise. Though Lib Dem Graham Watson apparently asked to sit in the audience as a candidate! Glyn Ford might be outside with a small anti-fascist protest group.

Based on the problems we had last time the BNP were in Bath, I hope the police will be notified. Good on Glyn for taking a stand too.

So the debate is currently between the Conservatives, the BNP and UKIP.

Spoilt for choice.