Is "no platform" appropriate for the BNP?

The point about the BNP, is that they have made spectacular gains in some areas not so much regarding acceptance of fascist politics but on the inability of the orthodox political parties to satisfy working class needs and wishes.The orthodox parties have consistently refused to take notice of the demands of the working class in this area and simply refused even to talk or listen to complaints. The result was race riots and destruction of homes and business'. Inspite of an enormous effort by the Labour and trade union movement nothing has changed. The approach taken has been to demonise the fascists, to call them names and ridicule them! Yet inspite of this we find that the BNP has maintained its vote and for the first time ,in this area, the fascists have a viable organisation. At least at this time. It might be different in May, at the next local elections. Already in Burnley the council leader has suggested to the fascist councillors that they join the mainstream politics. If the political base of the BNP grows the chances are that the mainstream politicians will attempt to bring the BNP, out of the cold as it were. What should we be doing about these things? History tells us this is how things have gone in the past!Even if the far right lose at the next election, they will probably be in a stronger position than pre millenium. We have to clarify, just what we mean 'No Platform for the BNP'? Does that mean we do not hold any conversations with the various fascist organisations? Just them alone or do we refuse to talk to individual fascists when they talk to us as individuals? How do we decide who is fascist and who isn't? Further to this when we oppose the fascists and their ideas, what do we put in their place? Vote Labour? Don't vote at all? Have we Stirnirite policies ? Or do we push the idea of neighbourhood councils, street councils and so on? Until now, whilst we have had plenty of theory, {nothing wrong in that,} there seems little positive in put. Some years ago in Blackburn, the late and unlamented Fuhrer Tyndal, blasted from his platform that the Black Flags of Anarchy were stalking the streets of Lancashire (and presumably Britain,). Then the fascists were challenged at every opportunity, we leafleted and put forward ideas as alternatives to the system and built up a positive and very active opposition.When the Labour Left and the North West Trade Unions with the support of the Bolshies and the various Tiny trot organisations decided to move it was to an active and united anarchist movement that appeared to know what it wanted and how to go about getting it that they appealed for support and advice. What would happen now? What support could we give them.Should we emulate the ICC and stand to one side?

Seamus' dogs are jumping on the keyboard again - titter.

The Third Man!

The historical perspective from older anarchists who have been fighting fascism/fascists in communities for many years are where we should be looking for ideas and answers. They have been here before.

Replace 'jumble sales' with the examples of community politics that Mitch mentions and my points stand pretty well. The main one being that you can't apply the old strategies, based in small groups beating up fascists, to a situation where BNP support is more diffused throughout the community.