MP Townend has had a series of anti-immigrant outbursts, Lord Taylor was aware of his first racist outburst from almost four weeks ago. Previously ignored by William Hague, it was not until Lord Taylor’s resignation threat circulated the media that the Tory leader decided to take action.

   The ideas about raising immigration and immigration policies should and must be discussed. But it goes beyond the call of reason for someone to talk of immigrants “undermining Anglo-Saxon culture,” and describing mixed relationships as creating a “mongrel race”. The idea that there is a perfect race, pure and uncontaminated by another, can be likened to Hitler’s goal of an Aryan race. A comment like this in a political party is like Nazi propaganda.

   There is the right for everyone to hold their own opinion, and should MP Townend truly believe his comment, he is entitled to do so. After all the concept of freedom of speech is integrated in the European Human Rights Act. The problem with MP Townend’s comment was that is was said on behalf of the Conservative Party he represents. William Hague’s Conservative Party supposedly does not want to overtly frontier the race issue by promoting racist comments in the style of the National Front, so this is why MP Townend is wrong in making such a comment.

   William Hague’s deliberation on the issue made it worse for the Conservative Party, as the election draws closer and those “undecided” voters are crucial to swing round results. Although William Hague eventually forced a signed apology from MP Townend, the damage has already been done.

   A negative blow against the Tories has been plastered across the news. Had William Hague acted differently, it would be a totally different story. Had he acted immediately upon hearing the comments, and threatened MP Townend to apologise straight away or be expelled from the party, Hague and in turn the Conservative Party, would have been respected and praised by the public.

   Or maybe not, as Hague formerly visualised, hence the hesitation. If the Conservative Party expelled MP Townend, when he is already retiring from his seat in the next election, it would consequently be an act of making him a martyr?

   I do not believe that immediate action would have resulted to make him a martyr at all. Prolonging the process and forcing a signed apology meant nothing. MP Townend refused to comment to the media directly, after the apology was broadcast by William Hague. Since, MP Townend has told his local papers that he will keep quiet only until the election, there is no doubt the race issue will be discussed again in a derogatory manner.