Normalising fascism

This shocking piece by BBC political editor Chris Mason Starmer's robust language nods to immigration failures is a classic example of how the corporation's twin obsessions of balance and sucking up to the government of the day end up normalising extremism.

Let's start with the word "robust" in the headline, for which Mason is unlikely to be responsible. It's a euphemism that no journalist should ever use, designed as it is to disguise aggression. 

But the gist of the piece, for which Mason is wholly responsible and which BBC hacks have done for years, is to tell the story from the government's point of view, which inevitably leads to crassly justifying its actions.

So we get this bullshit:

Sir Keir Starmer's language felt like an acknowledgement of that central point: here was a Labour prime minister, a former human rights lawyer, claiming "we risk becoming an island of strangers."

It is a phrase some, particularly on the left, regard as repulsive.

Others counter that it is a widely held perception which it is high time those in high office shared.

Too polite to raise the similarities with Enoch Powell, Mason does the usual trick of associating repulsion with this kind of language with people "on the left" - a minority whose views we can dismiss.

Then the classic BBC balance, that "others counter" this view. I certainly haven't heard this from anyone. Probably government spin doctors.

Then Mason brings in the fascist Farage, who the BBC has boosted "for years and years".

Nigel Farage argues, as he has for years and years, that politicians have been far too slow to get how much immigration matters to so many people.

Labour are acutely aware of Farage's capacity to communicate in a way that resonates with those who feel successive governments have not just ignored them on this issue, but belittled and demeaned their views too.

That is why the prime minister is using the language he is now.

So, that's all good Chris.