That may be the message you would like to send by it, but that's not the one that I'd expect to be heard by everyone, and certainly not by BNP supporters. Walking off-stage and refusing to listen is a little bit too much like taking one's ball home in a fit of pique.

It feels wrong to respect the BNP. But I do, at least, respect that enough people voted for them to get two MEPs elected. Those people may have voted for people I loathe, but they've done it in sufficient numbers that they've got a voice that has a right to be listened to (and, mindful of recent conversations, I believe that 'right' was given to them by their participation in a democratic system I support). Obviously, having listened to them, I may disagree with them in the strongest possible terms, but I do feel that we should listen, and should be seen to listen.

Again, I'm a Liberal, so that's a point of principle for me. However, even for non-Liberals, I think it's a point of practicality in this case; anything that makes the BNP look like victims of a conspiracy to silence them by 'the establishment' will strengthen their ability to recruit from the people who feel that politicians don't represent them. Which is a lot of people at this point.