#52 & #54

it is, by rights, not a tax, but a licensing fee, which you have to pay if you own a TV in the UK. I assume at least some of the protestors own a TV set, or they would not be getting so upset about it.

The BBC is an independent organisation, but its monopoly on collecting the mandatory UK licensing fee is contingent on providing balanced coverge and access to all legally registered political parties, even if they are communists or fascists. That is the basis on which they operate over there.

Unless the BNP goes too far in advocating violence, sedition or acts of treason, they will remain a legal party in the UK and be entitled to their share of access and coverage on the BBC.