Well what a way to start the New Year Nick. I would be surprised if anyone has not heard about Nick Griffin’s declaration of bankruptcy, something that surprisingly does not change his eligibility to keep his seat as an MEP due to a recent rule change. I was surprised to see Griffin not to be cowering away from social media attention, with him tweeting quite proudly that this recent change in his financial status is welcomed, with it leaving him ‘free from financial worries’.
Simon Darby, the BNP press officer seems to confirm Nick’s joyful spirit after this declaration, describing him to be ‘remarkably upbeat’ amidst a ‘pantomime society’. Well, as much as I am sure Mr Griffin is relishing in his new found freedom, personally, I thought an income of nearly £1 million over five years and having a law degree from Cambridge would have given him as much ‘freedom’ as he needed. However, wise Mr Griffin seems to determined to enlighten us all that this is not the case, even being so kind as to dedicate an upcoming project, a book on debt management no less which will undoubtedly make an interesting read, all seemingly inspired by his newly found financial emancipation.
Contrarily however, despite Griffin’s current upbeat spirit, it seems the public and press do not seem to be sharing his enthusiasm for his newly found financial freedom. It seems ironic amidst a deficit and political rhetoric being dominated by the battle to show which party can be the most fiscally responsible that there is a man, albeit it highly unlikely to ever gain the title of Prime Minister, eligible to claim to be competent as a leader and thus lead this country into financial prosperity, when he cannot even manage to keep track of his own finances. This is not my attempt to condemn those who have been unfortunate enough to have to declare themselves bankrupt, but I feel the message that Nick Griffin is able to retain his seat as a MEP is a strange one, with various other jobs with financial responsibility being unattainable and banned to those who have declared themselves bankrupt. These jobs include anything from act as a director of a company to promoting, managing or promoting a company without the permission of the courts. Although these restrictions in most cases only last for approximately 12 months, the damage to your credit history is hard hitting. Thus it seems to be strange message that those looking to promote financial and economic stability this country, and in this case the EU also, with Griffin being an MEP, can talk from a position of authority where they have demonstrated that they themselves cannot do this personally. From press reports and public response, my view on this matter, does not seem to be an isolated one. Thus, despite Griffin’s optimism, it does not seem to be looking good for the BNP.
With their massive fall in membership figures over the past few years, it seems doubtful that Griffin’s recent emancipation from his financial woes will do anything to revive these figures. In even more recent news, it seems recent party development are only worsening perceptions of the party, the source of which being press officer Simon Derby. Derby was quoted insensitively drawing comparisons between the financial situation of Griffin to that of the critically ill Michael Schmacher, stating: “Michael Schumacher has millions in the bank, but he’d do anything to be in Nick’s position now wouldn’t he,” a disgraceful comment that upset and recoiled the public and press alike. So what is next for Griffin? Will he enlighten us all how to be more financially responsible? Will his book be a best seller? Only time will tell, but personally, I am feeling rather pessimistic.
References:
https://www.gov.uk/bankruptcy/restrictions http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/bnp/10548708/BNPs-Nick-Griffin-declares-bankruptcy.html http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2533184/BNP-leader-Nick-Griffin-declared-bankrupt.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/news/nick-griffin-might-be-bankrupt-but-at-least-hes-not-michael-schumacher-says-bnp-head-of-press-simon-darby-9037463.html http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/nick-griffin-declared-bankrupt-where-has-all-his-money-gone-9037271.html http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-25590155 http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/01/03/nick-griffin-bnp-bankrupt_n_4535474.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular
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