Debate with Demos
posted by: Nick Lowles | on: Saturday, 28 August 2010, 08:57
I'm currently on my way back to Bradford from BBC studios in Leeds where I debated Jamie Bartlett, a researcher from Demos, on whether it was right to ban the EDL march for the Today programme. Not sure how I came across but I think I made my point. The general Demos argument is that banning marches only made martyrs of groups like the EDL, so increasing their appeal, and that even with a ban the EDL was still having static protest.
I explained how there was a major difference in stopping the EDL march through a predominately Asian district of the city compared to being hemmed in behind an 8ft wooden fence. I also made the point that far from pushing people into the hands of extremists our campaign had actually pulled the people of Bradford together. The deputy editor of the Telegraph and Argus told me last Monday that will the newspaper had helped collect almost 1500 names for our petition they had only received 5 letters of complaint.
I also made the point that riots and major clashes were far more likely to push people to extremism as they divided communities and increased suspicion.
I had a few other corker points to make but I ran out of time!
Posted: 28 Aug 2010 | There are 2 comments
Comments
Comment 1 | From: Bradfordian's Dad | Date: 28 August 2010, 09:15
It came across fine! There was a real push towards being general and ideal situations, but you managed to put the actual picture across. We remember what happened in Bradford last time- telling people the EDL will not do anything... there are enough hotheads here looking for trouble
Comment 2 | From: Jamie Bartlett | Date: 28 August 2010, 09:39
I was just on the radio with Nick, and just wanted to get in touch. We disagree I think on the means, but we agree on the ends. Just for the record, I am very familiar with Bradford having done a great deal of work there, primarily with the Muslim community. I am aware of the tensions the EDL are looking to exploit, so I don't want to appear some distant armchair commentator. I am sorry that Bradford has been targeted, but it has. That being the case, it is my view that it would send a more powerful message to let them march and show Bradford will not rise to it - how far it has come since 2001. Anyway, I would just like to say congratulations on your peace vigil, we all owe Hope not Hate a debt of gratitude for all your efforts, and I hope all goes well today.
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