I have to say that on this occasion that I have to agree with Khalid Mahmood MP when he says that by having a counter demonstration that it does bring trouble with fascist organisations and the best way to deal with them is to bring more legislation in place to stop fascist organsation to sreading their evil ideology.
If anyone required reminding of the true face of fascism they need look no further than events on the streets of Birmingham at the weekend.
The spectacle of far-right activists taking violent hate onto the streets of England's second city under the banner of the "English Defence League" should send a shiver down the spine of all those interested in the defence of true democracy.
But news that one of the central organisers of the demonstration is a British National Party activist also suggests another tactic could be coming into play - one that warrants vigilance and will require a concerted effort to combat.
Only a few months ago, the BNP was reported as having advised members to steer clear of running campaigns and websites under the party's banner.
The spin that accompanied the newspaper article lampooned the party as being embarrassed of cranks usurping its clean-cut image.
This may be true, but the BNP also advised members to set up campaigns which did not bear its name in order to promote its policies illicitly to people who wouldn't normally touch it with a bargepole.
Due to an agenda pursued recklessly by the right-wing media, phrases such as "political correctness gone mad," the demonisation of the democratic system - aided by a raft of self-serving and detached politicians - and the perception that some abstract concept of "Englishness" is under threat have entered the mainstream.
The BNP and its ilk hope to capitalise on this common currency.
Now the same right-wing media outlets that gave the oxygen of publicity to the likes of Migrationwatch and its racially fuelled rantings on Britain being "full up" are giving equal prominence to the Taxpayers Alliance, a thoroughly reactionary grouping backed by big business and headed by a former Westminster councillor who left the Conservative Party because it wasn't right-wing enough.
As the full force of the banking bail-out hits home in the months and years to come, the self-styled Taxpayers Alliance is aiming to set the agenda in much the same way as Migrationwatch has helped drive the government's draconian pronouncements on immigration.
Its demand for year-on-year budget cuts of 3 per cent for the foreseeable future is a recipe for disaster. It would herald poverty, public service cuts and increasing privatisation, with all the suffering that this would bring.
Such cuts, coming hot on the heels of the already very real day-to-day hardship of working people and those without work who are being left to fend for themselves, would mean that the prospect of a perfect storm for the far-right in all its hues would loom even larger on the horizon.
But it is with the people of Britain that hope lies. It is with those who took to the streets of Birmingham who showed those spreading hate that such poison will provoke an instant reaction.
It is with the people whom the BNP is forced to hoodwink to promote its ideas under false banners. And it is via the trade union movement, the left and their alternative answers that the long-term antidote to far-right poison will be administered.
The challenge that we face cannot be underestimated. It will take the maximum unity around a common platform, it will take massive work on the streets and on the internet to reach out to those who currently hear only right-wing voices and it will take continuing pressure on government to force it to see the error of its ways.
There are no easy answers. There will, however, be a clear price for failure.
POLICE say more arrests are likely after 35 people were arrested as riots broke out in Birmingham city centre at the weekend.
Rallies by rival groups spilled over into violence in the main shopping area early on Saturday evening. Bystanders ran for cover as protesters from the recently-formed group, Casuals United, said to consist of many football followers, and Unite Against Fascism clashed in New Street, just before 7pm.
Casuals United had organised a demonstration against Muslim extremism, but anti-fascists then staged a rival rally.
Three people were injured as hundreds of police, some clad in full riot gear, struggled to keep the peace. At one point officers were forced to seal off New Street with a steel barrier.
Witness Emily Bridgewater was shopping when violence broke out. She said: “It kicked off very suddenly and there was stampeding and screaming.
“We ended up being herded into Primark, where they brought the shutters down to protect us. It was very frightening.”
Photographs and video footage from the running battles are being studied by police who may now apply for injunctions to bar some of the troublemakers from the West Midlands.
Chief Insp Mark Payne, of West Midlands Police, said: “To date there have been 35 arrests - the majority for disorder, but this figure may increase as investigations continue into the incident.
“Officers were deployed throughout the city centre to manage two separate protests which took place during the course of the afternoon.
“Isolated incidents of disorder occurred when small groups of protesters broke away and actively sought to engage in criminal behaviour.”
He added: “The events are a very rare occurrence and normal city centre life resumed within a short space of time. I want to reassure all members of the community that the city centre is, and will continue to be a safe place to live, shop and visit.
“It is important to be aware that West Midlands Police have no powers to ban or stop peaceful protests and would not seek to do so. However, if criminal acts or racially aggravated incidents are reported, then police will arrest and prosecute anyone found to be responsible.”
