Oh no, not that card again

Is Paul Linford really nearly equating the Campaign for and English parliament campaign with saloon-bar racism?:

Although I support the CEP's overall aims I think there is a rather unpleasant and personal overtone to this campaign. It doesn't seem so very far away from the sort of "send the buggers home" saloon-bar racism which still exists in some inner-city areas where racial tensions are high.

I think Paul must be seeing something in the campaign that I have failed to see myself. Unless Paul is referring to the use of the Scottish tae in the image he uses in his posting or, perhaps, the homeward word neither of which I view as hitting anywhere near the mark on the racist barometer.

Granted, there has been the odd sporadic comment made by visitors which I haven't personally liked very much but I do not see that as the campaign. That's just someone commenting upon it.

I have yet to see anyone manage to argue a point against the campaign that actually holds up to close scrutiny by the supporters of equality within the Union. Supporters such as Gareth, one of the authors of the CEP blog.

Paul continues:

Gareth's argument is that until we have an English Parliament, we can't have a Scottish Prime Minister of the whole of the UK, but this seems a bizarre point of view to take if Gordon is the best candidate for PM in all other respects.

Clearly that is not Gareth's argument. We clearly can have Gordon Brown as a PM. Gareth's position is that we shouldn't and it is a position that I agree with.

Let's blow this whole racism issue out of the water. Ask Gareth his opinion of Gordon Brown as a PM if he had been elected to represent a constituency in England. Same old Brown, same place of Birth, same ideas, same everything. Just a different mandate. He would be a prime minister that could represent his constituents on issues such as education and health instead of one that could affect the constituents of every other English MP on those issues but not his own.

You will find his answer enlightening.

It's nothing to do with racism and everything to do with equality.

Apparently commenting upon and trying to answer accusations of near saloon-bar racism is hostile. And dishing out such accusation of near racism isn't?

Now would be a good time to re-visit my 404 - English Parliament not Found page:

The racist card may have been played. Try reinstalling reality.

Posted by John at February 14, 2006 01:19 PM | TrackBack