This in from Dover & Deal Liberal Democrats:
A Conservative Councillor from Dover who earlier this year was condemned for publishing racist jokes on the internet has re-published an article suggesting Apartheid in South Africa should have been extended.
Councillor Roger Walkden copied onto the DoverForum website a story supposedly written by a Nigerian saying that prosperity evident in South Africa today is attributable to “the white man” and asks “why were the Nelson Mandelas of this world complaining?”
Liberal Democrats have called on the Conservative Party to expel Councillor Walkden.
Antony Hook, Chair of Dover & Deal Liberal Democrats, said,
“The Apartheid regime tortured and murder its opponents and violently segregated people on racial lines. The idea that it might be excused on economic grounds or any other basis is outrageous.
“Africa’s future is not between white rule and black rule but between democracy and dictatorship. To say that some dictatorships are less bad than others because of their racial composition is dangerously close to the politics of Nick Griffin and the BNP.
“David Cameron must expel Roger Walkden from the Conservative Party. Not doing so would effectively condone his pro-racist views. Liberal Democrats will make sure that every voter in our area knows that local Conservatives are soft on people who promote violent racism.”
8 Comments
Can’t say I disagree really, although I think the Lib Dem who said ““The Apartheid regime tortured and murder its opponents” should have also noted that there were quite a few in the anti-Apartheid movement that also tortured and murdered their opponents. Frankly, they were all bastards.
Interesting example of moral equivelance there Dizzy.
I wonder if you would make the same point in comparing the regime of Saddam Hussein in Iraq to the US/UK occupiers who followed him?
Personally I wouldn’t despite the fact that I opposed the invasion.
Where does he suggest that “Apartheid in South Africa should have been extended” ?
The original writer just regrets that the whites left Nigeria too early. That is his view as a Nigerian. Free speech and as (I presume) a black Nigerian it is a view he holds.
Of course the original writing maybe a spoof.
Mark, you accuse Iain Dale of not checking his facts before publishing an article about Watford, but then do the same yourself here. The article quoted does not mention Apartheid. Indeed, Cllr Walkden’s only comment on Apartheid is to describe it as a “wicked system”. It’s quite possible to be concerned about the current situations in Nigeria, Zimbabwe and South Africa (not that I am equating the three) without supporting Apartheid.
Dan: just to be clear, as you’re keen on getting the facts right
, the “extended” comment is a quote from someone else’s press release, rather than my own words. Also, apartheid is explicitly mentioned in the subsequent discussion, which included Cllr Walkden – and much of that discussion was about apartheid and wasn’t one he disowned as not being related to his article.
As to whether or not you agree with Dover Lib Dems inference that him praising South Africa compared to other African countries equals a regret that apartheid wasn’t more widespread, I don’t see why even disagreeing with that would be a reason not to quote the story and their views on it? The piece gives a link to the full text and gives Dover Lib Dems’ comment based on that.
The republished arfticle is clear for it’s support for white rule. White rule is South Africa was Apartheid.
The article regrets the passing of white rule and says white rule should have continued for another 30 years… quite an extension.
As Mark says, Walkden has not disputed the article is about Apartheid and I think the suggestion it is not is the weakest possible defence of this shameful article.
Even if the article was about white rule – and I interpret it to be about the white presence in Nigeria, rather than their dominance – I find it absurd to argue that by saying South Africa is better than Nigeria, he is arguing for Apartheid, or that subsequent comments in the blog can retrospectively impart some relevance to Apartheid into the original article, or that support for greater white involvement in governing Nigeria implies support for Apartheid in South Africa.
I think Walkden’s sentence which begins with “Apartheid was a wicked system, but…” tells you as much as you need to know about this man.