There seems to be an endless thirst to argue social politics, and this week it's all been centred around Question Time, says Atticus. I've been disappointed, though, that debates have focused on free speech, and not on the issues that the BNP distort to gain political clout. I believe that it shows just how unsure we are as a society about this area – what might the BNP show up about us, our deepest fears and desires in the clear light of scrutiny?

I'm also disappointed with Jack Straw, Baroness Warsi and Chris Huhne. For a hideous fifteen minutes on Question Time they tried to outdo each other for the Daily Mail vote: "I'm tough on immigration," "No, I'm tough on immigration," "No, I'm tough on immigration!"

I found Baroness Warsi's call for Jack Straw to be "honest" about immigration and its effect on the rise of the BNP rather disingenuous – why can't she be honest about immigration herself, rather than stoke the flames of bigotry and scapegoating that are leading to the rise of the BNP?

I do not accept that immigration is the cause for the BNP's rise. Entrenched divisions and declining social mobility (among the worst in the developed world), and a political class that bickers party politics and panders to untruths and misconceptions have much more to do with it. Couple these with the biggest recession in 80 years (caused by the soaring greed of some of the world's wealthiest people) and it is of course immigrants – the ideal outsiders – that get targeted for scapegoating.

People disillusioned with the main parties are turning to fringe parties such as the BNP. But the main parties will only further this disillusionment if they continue to play party politics (and try to accrue short term political capital) with the key issues facing us today.

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