I am in the process of writing an article on the politics of no platform for fascists to go in a future issue of Labour Briefing. This will be a case of restating old arguments. These are my brief thoughts on the subject. For me I am an unequivocal supporter of no platform for fascists. It is a basic fundamental principle and rather similar to Kevin I couldn’t understand how some lefties found the concept of no platform difficult to get their head around and confusing it with censorship.
No platform simply means that nobody else is compelled to be instrumental in putting forward these fascist beliefs whether it be a trade union, college …..or the BBC. You have the freedom to deny fascists a platform. The fascists aren’t being censored they are not being banned, they are not being given a platform to spout their politics that are based on a racist ideology, which represents violence and hatred. They violently smash freedoms and free speech to others they rally against.
The BBC argued the politics of ‘impartiality’ yet they no platformed the DEC appeal for Gaza, a totally and fundamentally contradictory position to take. It makes no sense yet it exposes the BBC’s own hypocrisy.
Like I said this is a basic first impressions post for a more fuller, analytical and general piece on no platform. This situation will come up again and again. My own experiences are grounded in the anti-racism and anti-fascism activism of the 70s and 80s.
Brought up in Smethwick with its racist and fascist history from Mosley to Peter Griffiths which still reverberated and had a strong foot hold. Those experiences heightened my political consciousness and the importance of fighting fascism that includes the strategy of no platform.
The below anecdote was also important and vital to my own political awareness, activism and it’s part of anti-fascist history.
I remember interviewing an eighty something year old Socialist around late 1985/early 1986 ‘O’ level History project regarding the 1926 General Strike. When the name Oswald Mosley came up, Arthur’s expression changed from jovial to utter hatred. He spoke animatedly about how Socialists and TU organised against Mosley in the early 1930s, and that there was a demonstration against Mosley and his fascist goons around Cape Hill/Smethwick High Street. Arthur was proud of the fact they took a stand against the fascists and chased Mosley and co. out of Smethwick. Listening to Arthur made me feel proud along with admiring the other protesters courage, also I was brought up around that area where this battle took place. It was the first I had heard of this and still can’t find information about this event. It is one of those important mass working class historical fightbacks that remain hidden from history undeservedly. So here’s to you Arthur and the other organisers…you were an early embodiment of the spirit of ‘no pasaran’ .
I think Arthur would have been outside the BBC making his voice heard against the decision by the BBC allowing Griffin a platform. For me it was about politically protesting by expressing noisy anger making sure the vile Hitlerite was never in doubt what we thought of him and to the BBC hierarchy. The BBC is a publically funded corporation taking my licence fee. To them the message is simply…’not in my name’.
