tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30252872.post3574800662920187870..comments2023-10-31T12:08:31.107+00:00Comments on Politics Etc.: A Necessary Resignation?Giles Marshallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09257512119593812010noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30252872.post-15764144907346380462007-11-05T00:23:00.000+00:002007-11-05T00:23:00.000+00:00Actually I just re-read your post after posting my...Actually I just re-read your post after posting my rant and fear I've rather missed the point. Bollocks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30252872.post-84097314006529807262007-11-05T00:20:00.000+00:002007-11-05T00:20:00.000+00:00I see you've labelled this post "Liberal hysteria"...I see you've labelled this post "Liberal hysteria". You claim Hastilow’s comments are unremarkable; that he’s been forced to resign after they were blown out of all proportion by the "metropolitan, liberal" media. I fear this rather misses the point.<BR/><BR/>The issue of immigration is an inflammatory one. It is important to remember that it is one which affects thousands of individuals – both native and immigrant – who tend to be amongst the poorest and most vulnerable members of our society. They live in communities where inescapable poverty is endemic, violence is common place, and so, unsurprisingly, tensions run high. The issue is an inflammatory one; our politicians have a responsibility not to inflame it.<BR/><BR/>This is why Hastilow’s decision to resign is absolutely right. His form of discourse is unacceptable for a mainstream politician, and has been acceptable in some quarters for far too long. On such a sensitive topic, where ill-considered comments can have a genuine impact on people’s lives, it is vital that words are chosen with care. Cameron is to be commended for recognising this and trying to modify how his own party contributes to the debate accordingly; to fail to do so would leave the Tories in the company of UKIP and the BNP.<BR/><BR/>Hastilow must have known that his reference to Powell would provoke outrage; he’s a damned fool if he didn’t. It was, as you note, a cheap attempt to score political points. But cheap point scoring where explosive matters such as immigration are concerned is indefensible. You seem to suggest there is injustice in him being punished not for what he said, but for how he said it. But when dealing with immigration, how you say it is crucial.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com