The publication of a membership list for the BNP raises fundamental questions for civil liberties. Leader Nick Griffin has a point when he says that the banning of becoming a member of a political party is a restriction of freedoms. True, liberty is the freedom to do as you please as long as it does not infringe upon the liberty of others. This raises two issues:
1. Membership of the BNP does, in many cases, cause an infringement of the liberty of others. The party, despite what Griffin says, is not an interest group for a particular group of people (white 'British'). Rather, it incites racial hatred towards other Britons, thus infringing their liberty.
2. Teachers, doctors, lawyers and soldiers have a responsiblity towards those they work for. There is a conflict of interest if you are in the BNP and a bobbie on the beat round Oldham.
The police is right to vet applicants for membership of far right parties. I will argue for free speech for such groups for ever and ever. However, in this case, their membership needs curtailing.
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