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What impact will Question Time have on politics?
The leader of the British National Party Nick Griffin is to complain to the BBC over his controversial appearance on Question Time. What was your reaction to the programme?
Mr Griffin claims the normal format of the programme was changed and that he had faced a "lynch mob".
The fallout from the show - watched by eight million people - has intensified, with Mr Griffin's fellow panellists saying he had been "shown up".
Welsh Secretary Peter Hain, who had led the campaign to prevent Mr Griffin being allowed on the show, said "the BBC should be ashamed of single-handedly doing a racist, fascist party the biggest favour in its grubby history."
What impact will this programme have on the BNP and on British politics? Was it the right format to discuss the subjects? How did the panellists perform?
If you are looking for the previous debate, you can still read the comments here.
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Published:
Friday, 23 October, 2009, 07:51 GMT
08:51 UK
All comments as they come in
Added:
Monday, 26 October, 2009, 07:45 GMT
07:45 UK
What is Griffin's problem?
He's moaning because he was asked awkward questions.
Isn't the show called ''QUESTION TIME''.
He really would've moaned if they didn't talk about immigration etc.
Of course he was the main focus. People wanted to see how he answered difficult questions of him and his party.
Shame for him that he squirmed and backtracked constantly.
Nick, if you can't stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen.
Neil Rangsit, Near Bangkok, Thailand
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Added:
Monday, 26 October, 2009, 07:32 GMT
07:32 UK
Time has shown that the ideals of Hitler were quite abhorant .
But the appearance of Nick Griffin showed another side of injustice . If I could have heard what he had to say , then I could fairly formed my own opinion. To have a fair debate it should not be loaded with all but one, being of the same opinion.
The BBC turned Nick Griffin into a victim.
Watch out Britain for by unfairly treating such a messenger his unjust message might just get through.
Maureen, New Zealand
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Added:
Monday, 26 October, 2009, 07:05 GMT
07:05 UK
Dear Sirs,
if Mr. Dimbleby is planning to alternate Question Time with Inquisition Time then the format of last week program was fine.
If not, then the program was biased against the BNP MEP and Mr. Dimbleby stepped outside his role of moderator.
The BNP MEP made a number of statements demonstrating his ignorance in many fields. The only person to contradict him was
the non-political panel member as the politicians were too busy preening their political feathers. What a sorry lot!
peter untersander, faversham
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Added:
Monday, 26 October, 2009, 06:47 GMT
06:47 UK
Allowing Nick Griffin to speak on Question Time is an exercise in democracy. The beliefs and views of the political far-right may not be conducive to a harmonious modern Britain, but they are views and beliefs nonetheless and must be respected.
To villanize the Nick Griffins of this world is to push them off the radar and towards a dangerously radical fringe that is harder to monitor and less accountable. In true democracy, everyone must have a voice, however controversial the message.
ORiel, Auckland
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Added:
Monday, 26 October, 2009, 06:09 GMT
06:09 UK
One thing that appears to be consistent from the postings here is that the majority of British people aren't anti-immigration in a racist way, it's just that we feel that with the lack of jobs, a deep recession, problems in the NHS, the number of children in classrooms and people on benefits, etc, Britain cannot take any more people, regardless of their origins, until we sort out this mess. If the other politicians would deal with this then there would be no need to vote BNP.
[Barbara59], United Kingdom
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Added:
Sunday, 25 October, 2009, 21:32 GMT
21:32 UK
Has he missed the bit about every person being a child of God and the bit about not judging. He seems to have missed all of the important parts of the Bible and frankly I think even my benevolent God would be ashamed of him and his followers.
Nic, London
You clearly have not read much of the Old Testament.
[I_doont_believe_it]
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Added:
Sunday, 25 October, 2009, 21:32 GMT
21:32 UK
We are not a society of prejudice...
1) a catholic can be king.
2) a banker can be honest.
3) a woman can be an archbishop.
4) a lesbian can be an imam.
5) God can be a woman.
So waht was that idiot on about?
Colin, London
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Added:
Sunday, 25 October, 2009, 21:29 GMT
21:29 UK
Btw, who's starting the collection for the ticket to the North Pole?
Sweety, Pinner
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Added:
Sunday, 25 October, 2009, 21:29 GMT
21:29 UK
No items of real interest to the QT television audience were discussed, where was reasoned argument on:-
the promised referendum on EU changes
parliamenentary expenses
resugent bonuses for bankers
tax increases to pay for the bank rescues
mortgage difficulties for first time buyers
imposition of immigration limits
exporting jobs to the third world
knife crime and short gaol sentences
council workers pension contributions
Scottish and Welsh MP's voting on English law
and others?
Peter Marton, Middlesbrough, United Kingdom
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Added:
Sunday, 25 October, 2009, 21:26 GMT
21:26 UK
When you live in an area thats changed beyond recognition then you'll understand why people are voting BNP. In the years to come Britian and London in particular are only going to get more overcrowded and that cant be a good thing.Why is it racist to think that way??
Mark Tilley, Leytonstone, United Kingdom
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Added:
Sunday, 25 October, 2009, 21:26 GMT
21:26 UK
Well Done BBC for bringing in a debate about such a significant and important topic "The British Identity". The race card has been played enough. There is fierce racism between catholics and protestants in N. I.and both are the same colour and the same nationality. BNP as a British party should be open to ALL colours. But Griffin was speaking plain common sense while Varsi came accross as fiercely racist and intolerant! And thanks for sending it to us here. We don't get" Europe Today" here
Mrs S Paterson, Sao Paulo, Brazil
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Added:
Sunday, 25 October, 2009, 21:24 GMT
21:24 UK
I hope British Parliament does not work the same way, all talking over each other and complete chaos... oh may be that's why Immigration is such a mess...for over 200 yrs. I'm a British born Indian btw...
Sweety, Pinner
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Added:
Sunday, 25 October, 2009, 21:19 GMT
21:19 UK
I was hoping when i watched this programme to find out more about the bnp and what the fuss was about. I live in morocco and am therefore an immigrant in morocco, I have to prove my income as to be self sufficient, pay for my medical needs etc, Mr griffin is right to open up a can of worms that is put under the table by other parties and what the english people cannot talk about fo fear of being called racist anf i presume locked up.Freedom of speach, not in gGreat Britain
alan harris, tangier, Morocco
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Added:
Sunday, 25 October, 2009, 21:13 GMT
21:13 UK
This programme was a disgrace - blatantly trying to increase the viewing numbers with all the early publicity, biaised questions, open bullying of one panellist started by Jack Straw and continuing from all parties including the chairman. I have no time for Nick Griffin and his party but it would have been far more effective to treat him like any other politician with the usual topical questions. This did nothing for democracy.
Brenda Herrick, Thurso
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Added:
Sunday, 25 October, 2009, 21:09 GMT
21:09 UK
I watched rerun of the programme in North American channel.
There was hardly any question from the audience to other party leaders. It was Nick versus rest.
Nick Griffin did a good job
John Bysack, Calgary, Canada
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