The British National Party no longer exists. Officially.
The UK’s Electoral Commission removed the BNP from its register after the far-right party failed to confirm its registration details before the necessary deadline. This means the party’s candidates will not be eligible to campaign or put forward candidates in upcoming elections.
British National Party (BNP) has today been removed from the register of GB political parties. (1/2)
— Electoral Commission (@ElectoralCommUK) January 8, 2016Best known for its inflammatory anti-immigrant rhetoric, the party is also deeply Euroskeptic, doubtful about climate change and opposed to overseas aid. In their latest manifesto (2015) the BNP pledged to:
Technically, the party is allowed to re-register but since the clerical blunder, Twitter has erupted with people celebrating the end of the notorious party. Since its peak in 2010, when it looked set to win a seat in Parliament, the BNP has suffered a dramatic downfall - almost entirely fading from public relevance. Its infamous leader Nick Griffin stepped down in 2014 after failing to win a seat, and was later pushed out of the party as internal tensions boiled over.
Despite their prolonged demise, the BNP seem determined to re-register. Spokesman for the party Andrew Squire said: "After battling for 30 years to get the debate on immigration going, we don't want to waste it on a technicality.”
It remains to be seen whether the BNP will manage to get their house in order. However, from the political gains made by Marine Le Pen’s Front National in France or Poland's PiS to movements like Pegida in Germany or the English Defence League in the UK, the rise of the far-right is a source of deep concern. With Europe witnessing the biggest refugee crisis since the Second World War, increasing border controls between EU member states and anti-migrant rhetoric continuing to shape domestic and international politics, the fight against extremism is far from over.
While the downfall of the BNP might be reason to celebrate for some, defending values of tolerance and respect is more necessary than ever. In an increasingly global world, forces that seek to divide and marginalise groups that are already disenfranchised must not be allowed to drown out those that celebrate our common humanity.