This week’s issue of PR Week takes an in-depth look at the BNP’s success at the recent European elections and asks a straightforward question - was enough done by the main political parties to prevent their breakthrough? My own view, shared by other industry colleagues, is that a communication strategy based on the premise that if we simply ignore the BNP they will just disappear has clearly failed. A new approach is now needed, based on countering BNP propaganda whenever and wherever it appears, with information from mainstream political parties. This includes online.
While I agree completely that there is no substitute for knocking on doors and talking to voters directly, the inability of the BNP to use the mainstream media as a mouthpiece, makes the internet a key component of its campaigning strategy. The online world will therefore become a key battleground in fighting extremism.
I was given the opportunity to debate these issues further with Luke Pollard, an account director at PR consultancy Edelman, as well as a prospective parliamentary candidate for the Labour Party. You can watch our discussion in the PR Week video podcast below.
I agree totally that online is a key battleground, my point was more to do with the inappropriate tone and content. You’re right that we need to be tackling the BNP head on and proving that its policies don’t stand up to scrutiny. That’s why I don’t agree with the “won’t share a platform” mantra trotted out by most of my colleagues on the centre left. I want to share a platform with the BNP because I’m confident that that I can defeat them in a debate - and make no mistake that’s what some of the people that voted for them want. They want their concerns to be taken seriously.