Changes

The BNP has strong ties to [[Neo-Nazi]] and [[Anti-Semitism|anti-semitic]] groups. "The BNP claims not to be a "race supremacist" party but its publications report on the [[gene|genetic]] superiority of the "white race". It claims not to have any connection with "race hate" yet many of its leading members have [[Crime|convictions]] for racist crimes."<ref>''Hope Not Hate'' op cit</ref> The party now also tries to "cash in on what it perceives to be the growth in Islamophobia" with its leader stating: "It stands to reason that adopting an 'Islamophobic' position that appeals to large numbers of ordinary people - including un-nudged journalists - is going to produce on average much better media coverage than siding with Iran and banging on about 'Jewish power', which is guaranteed to raise hackles of virtually every single journalist in the western world."<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/apr/10/thefarright.race ''BNP seeks to bury antisemitism and gain Jewish votes in Islamophobic campaign'']</ref> This superficial repackaging of their party - without actually disavowing their neo-Nazi ideology - is simply an attempt commonly seen, particularly post-[[9/11]], in politicians and movements of the ultra-right to make a strategic breakthrough by appealing to a more mainstream audience. The BNP try to present a more respectable image but they are the same extremists that they always were.  

The BNP has strong ties to [[Neo-Nazi]] and [[Anti-Semitism|anti-semitic]] groups. "The BNP claims not to be a "race supremacist" party but its publications report on the [[gene|genetic]] superiority of the "white race". It claims not to have any connection with "race hate" yet many of its leading members have [[Crime|convictions]] for racist crimes."<ref>''Hope Not Hate'' op cit</ref> The party now also tries to "cash in on what it perceives to be the growth in Islamophobia" with its leader stating: "It stands to reason that adopting an 'Islamophobic' position that appeals to large numbers of ordinary people - including un-nudged journalists - is going to produce on average much better media coverage than siding with Iran and banging on about 'Jewish power', which is guaranteed to raise hackles of virtually every single journalist in the western world."<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/apr/10/thefarright.race ''BNP seeks to bury antisemitism and gain Jewish votes in Islamophobic campaign'']</ref> This superficial repackaging of their party - without actually disavowing their neo-Nazi ideology - is simply an attempt commonly seen, particularly post-[[9/11]], in politicians and movements of the ultra-right to make a strategic breakthrough by appealing to a more mainstream audience. The BNP try to present a more respectable image but they are the same extremists that they always were.  

Griffin is known to have "forged alliances with representatives of [[Muammar al-Gaddafi|Gaddafi's]] regime in [[Libya]] - a move no doubt inspired by a common disdain for Jews."<ref>[http://www.stopthebnp.org.uk/index.php?location=election&link=/BNP05.htm 'The Enduring Prejudice''] "Hope Not Hate"</ref> In 1998 Griffin received a jail sentence, suspended for two years, for inciting racial hatred under the Public Order Act. The charge related to statements made in his publication ''The Rune''. In Griffin's words, the Holocaust "is a mixture of Allied wartime [[propaganda]], extremely profitable lie, and latter-day witch hysteria".

Griffin is known to have "forged alliances with representatives of [[Muammar al-Gaddafi|Gaddafi's]] regime in [[Libya]] - a move no doubt inspired by a common disdain for Jews."<ref>[http://www.stopthebnp.org.uk/index.php?location=election&link=/BNP05.htm ''The Enduring Prejudice''] "Stop The BNP"</ref> In 1998 Griffin received a jail sentence, suspended for two years, for inciting racial hatred under the Public Order Act. The charge related to statements made in his publication ''The Rune''. In Griffin's words, the Holocaust "is a mixture of Allied wartime [[propaganda]], extremely profitable lie, and latter-day witch hysteria".

The BNP's representation in the UK is entirely at the local level. It has no representatives in [[Parliament]], nor in any of Britain's regional legislatures or the [[European Parliament]]. In May 2008 Richard Barnbrook became the first BNP member to be elected to the [[London Assembly]]. Anti-nazi campaigners said a victory for the party meant "hatred, violence and stupidity".<ref>Brady, Brian [http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/bnp-wins-first-seat-in-assembly-820867.html ''BNP wins first seat in assembly''] "The Independent On Sunday" 4 May 2008.</ref>

The BNP's representation in the UK is entirely at the local level. It has no representatives in [[Parliament]], nor in any of Britain's regional legislatures or the [[European Parliament]]. In May 2008 Richard Barnbrook became the first BNP member to be elected to the [[London Assembly]]. Anti-nazi campaigners said a victory for the party meant "hatred, violence and stupidity".<ref>Brady, Brian [http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/bnp-wins-first-seat-in-assembly-820867.html ''BNP wins first seat in assembly''] "The Independent On Sunday" 4 May 2008.</ref>