The Royal British Legion and the BNP

[sp1814]

The Royal British Legion have requested that BNP lead Nick Griffin desist from wearing poppies, because of their policy of "being scrupulously above the party political fray".

Why do you think they have taken this stance against the BNP, but not members of any other political party?

Is this a gross and ill-thought out overreaction, or a sensible step taken by a charity worried that their cause might be hijacked for political purposes?

[sp1814]

The link:

http://www.britishleg...or-north-west-england

[sp1814]

Sorry...I was wrong.

This is from The Royal British Legion's website:

We recently asked all party political leaders to refrain from using the Poppy or other symbols of Remembrance for political purposes during the European election campaign - all of them complied with this request, with the exception of BNP leader Nick Griffin.

[Booldawg]

But they are obviously happy for MPs caught up expenses fiddling charges to wear them. I guess the RBL are just jumping on the anti-BNP bandwagon.

TBH I think its great how British society is perfectable willing to disassociate itself from undesirable hate fuelled organisations. Theres a few that can take a leaf out of our book!

[Lonnie]

I personally don't have a problem with the BNP wearing Poppies, or anyone at all, so long as they don't make it a political issue, and they wear it for the right reasons,

The British Legion is, or should be, non political, unfortunately, thanks to the BNPs stance on this, it is becoming political, I don't think now, that it can be stopped, at least in the short term.

The BNP has donated money to the Legion, that in itself is ok, but then they boasted about it, which is wrong, and I think, being what the party stands for, if, as is happening, they are politicising it, then its right that they should be asked not to wear it,

They will continue to do so, of course, but at least its publicised that they have been asked not to.

[jake-the-peg]

I think the issue comes about when it's used in the promotional posters and literature of a party.

[anotheoldgit]

ahmskunnirt

Another well thought out, non-bias answer.

[jake-the-peg]

I'll wear a poppy when there are Germans at the cenotaph on the 11th of November

Then I will know that it is the soldiers that are being remembered and not just a patriotic sideshow for the drum beaters and flag wavers.

[sp1814]

Actually, the RBL do not take any contributions from any political parties. They absolutely HAVE to remain politcally neutral for obvious reasons.

[sp1814]

ahmskunnirt

Sorry - had a mad busy day at work then went straight out to see the new Pixar film 'Up' at the IMAX(you should go see it - great film).

Anyway in answer to your question...have a look at my post from 06:41. All political parties were requested not to wear the poppy in the run up to the Euro elections, which would've made everything level and apolitical. The BNP ignored this.

The RBL are TRYING to remain politically neutral. It's the BNP leadership who are trying to ride on it's coat tails.

I'd hazard a guess thatcthe RBL are worried about people associating their symbol with an extremist group...some would argue that there's precedent for this - the National Front co-opting the Union Flag onthe seventies.

[albaqwerty]

I hate to ask but what do the white poppies mean?

I wear a red one to remember ALL soldiers/airmen etc.

[sp1814]

From www.whitepoppie.org.uk:

"The White Poppy symbolises the belief that there are better ways to resolve conflicts than killing strangers"