Toyah Willcox - I'm SO Caring Now...

Here's Toyah Willcox speaking about the 1980s in an article in this month's The Word magazine:
"The 80s taught me to keep my eyes open and my ears to the ground, because I think we became incredibly blinkered. We all hated Thatcherism, how the miners were being ripped off, the terrible privatisations, but there was still this attitude of 'I'm alright Jack'. I was a culprit myself and I'll never live by that again."

That is good to know. Toyah, a middle class Punk, starred in a lousy and highly pretentious film called Jubilee in the late 70s, and purveyed middle class Punk to the masses in the early 80s.

But she now has her "ear to the ground". She uses her fame to highlight various injustices: the way NHS Trusts have caused our health service to crumble; the way government-backed health apartheid is levelled against the people of England; the continuation of the Barnett Formula; and the breakdown of democratic rule for England.

Doesn't she?

Personally, in the 80s, I was one of millions who marched for the miners, to free Nelson Mandela, to stop Clause 28, to stop Cruise. I even once threw an egg at Thatcher. I backed Billy and Red Wedge.

What happens nowadays?

Toyah, dear, in the 80s you sang a load of crap, so please don't bore us by talking a load of crap now. There is a lot less social and political concern in the 21st Century, society is far more fragmented.

And if you haven't got any dosh in England things are worse than they've ever been. Kids leaving school can't even claim benefits. An adult minimum wage is not payable until you turn 21 or 22! You have to be almost halfway to fifty to get a decent wage!

And if you're a pensioner...

If you really care about issues, Toyah, (or may I call you "Toilet" for old times sake?) - the way somebody in England can die prematurely from bone cancer for instance, whilst in Scotland that life would be prolonged, put your money where your mouth is and HIGHLIGHT IT, or please SHUT UP about how nice you are now and what an expert you are on the way things were in the 1980s!

Strangely enough, not everybody back then was a pampered pop star, getting up people's noses. We don't all share your experiences or point of view, and the vast majority of us certainly don't share the high opinion you currently have of yourself.

UPDATE

Sue Campbell whizzes in...

This 80s stuff is crap. I'm sorry, but it is. The 80s weren't all about money. The first few years were all about things getting worse than they had in the 70s - and that was saying something.

A couple of years in the middle - say 84-87 were a bit money mad and swanky, but we'd been up the financial creek since the early 70s, so it wasn't surprising that a bit of money suddenly in circulation turned people's heads.

Then, in 88 and 89, we suddenly went eco-friendly potty after the stock market busted in 87, and Acid House and Rave knocked out the shoulder pads.

Throughout all that, the spirit of protest was strong and people cared a lot more than they do today. It pisses me off that people scapegoat the 80s to feel all nice and warm and smug now.

Toyah - you were voted "Most Very Useless Thing" in "Smash Hits" in 1982 (and if you weren't, you should have been), you still fit that title pefectly, so please shut your silly trap or show us you mean what you say.

UPDATE 2

Slyv from Salford...

Was Toyah an "80s star"? I went out to buy a copy of "The Word" after reading your post, must say was most interested - "The Eighties - The Decade That Changed Everything"...

It certainly wreaked havoc - I remember the spirit of protest, the flamin' yuppies, the twonky new technology and the shoulder pads...

I always saw Toyah as a 70s/cusp 80s star. After all, she featured in Derek Jarman's "Jubilee" film in 1977 (or was it 78? It was cobblers, anyway), had a couple of hits in 1981 and 1982 and then vanished. "They wanted me to look like Pat Benatar," she wails. Well Toyah, honey, that was better than looking like David Bowie, c. 1973 - as you often did!

We had original brilliance like New Order, Grandmaster Flash, Propaganda, Billy Bragg, The Smiths, U2, Madness, Pet Shop Boys, Cocteau Twins... who needed thoroughly silly Toyah?

Not sure it was appropriate for "The Word" to ask Toyah for her story - she barely dabbled a toe in the 80s, but I reckon her opinion's hilarious. "I was selfish then, but I'm really caring and spiritual now". When, Toyah? Once a year? On your birthday? Can we come and watch?

At least Billy Bragg speaks up for the good of England at times. Toyah's just a useless old windbag.

This blog is supportive of the aims of the Campaign for an English Parliament, but is in no way connected.

BBC Mangles Islamic Extremist Truth - But Sticks The Boot Into The English...

From BBC online...

A few years ago, anti-English racist Jack Straw slagged us off on the BBC, calling us "violent" and accusing us of "subjugating" the other UK nations (William Hague was simply a bore). The unbiased BBC saw fit to provide a picture of "typical" Englishmen as a background for the article's illustration. Straw remains committed to the oppression of the people of England by the British State, and wastes no opportunity to tell lies about England's history, presenting the country in the worst light possible. Mr Straw also specialises in twisting the facts regarding devolution.

Whilst having no respect for those who identify themselves as English, the BBC will go to absurd lengths, misrepresenting and mangling the news, to appease certain groups in the UK.

President Bush: "This nation [the USA] is at war with Islamic fascists".

The BBC, reporting this statement, removed "Islamic" and altered the wording to "extremists" - because, of course, it is not Politically Correct to offend Islamic fascists. There's more about Auntie and her sick mangling of the facts on Drinking From Home - here and here.

There is one group of people, of course, that the BBC does not care a jot about offending - or spreading hate-filled lies about.

Yes, it's the English.

The BBC views the English as the pits of the UK, and no slur is too low for them to report when it comes to us.

Remember this little gem from anti-English bigot Jack Straw, part of NuLabour's liberal elite?

Cross-party politicians have warned of growing English nationalism following devolution, airing their views in a BBC programme.

Home Secretary Jack Straw says the English had used their "propensity to violence to subjugate Ireland, Wales and Scotland" on the Radio 4 programme Brits. The broadcast is examining what it now means to be British.

Mr Straw will describe the English as "potentially very aggressive, very violent" and will "increasingly articulate their Englishness following devolution."

Straw positively ranted about the English, what he said is inaccurate, offensive and bigoted, but Auntie Beeb happily reported it. No words were tweaked to protect our feelings.

And it seems that Auntie is quite happy to be racist again - exchanging the word "Muslim" for "Asian" in one instance - in its determination to keep the words "Muslim extremists" or, heaven forbid, "Muslim terrorists" out of the news.

I have the greatest sympathy with ordinary, everyday British Muslims, worried about the situation here. But Auntie tampering with the news is just plain wrong.

Just as the organisation's bigoted and irrational hatred of the English is just plain wrong.

The BBC is the arsehole of British broadcasting. It stinks.

UPDATE...

Sue Campbell...

Auntie Beeb recently made a series casting doubt on Christianity - the series was made by a Muslim. This is... what?... 3% of the population?

I am a Christian. England was a Christian country for many years. It is part of our history. The BBC are so hypocritical to disregard the feelings of Christians. No equivalent series will be made on the Muslim faith.

Trouble is Auntie constantly crawls to this single, tiny minority, whilst treating the rest of us like crap, and this makes me feel very negative. Not towards individual Muslims. But I'd like to display some of my "violent" Englishness, as the Bigot Straw puts it, and smash a few windows at the BBC's Broadcasting House.

They force us to pay them so that they can denigrate us and look down their noses at us.

It's not just the BBC which stinks, Chris - the whole bloody country does - from the Scottish Raj to Muslim groups writing letters to Scottish Bigot Blair asking that foreign policy be changed so that we won't be blown up by their fellow Muslims.

The country's in a heck of a mess.

Hmmm... don't get too down, gal. I always find a hot, sweet cuppa and a look at this daft 80s blog helps...

Failing that... CHOCOLATE - LOTS OF IT!

Trouble is, we're not listened to. We're helpless.

UPDATE 2...

Greg from Cumbria...

I always have to laugh when Jack Straw tries to make out that English MPs are still in charge in England and of the funding formula for Scotland. Of course, he never mentions how much higher public spending in Scotland is - or foundation hospitals or top up fees in England and the role Scottish MPs had in imposing them on us!

What a liar and spin master the Strawman is.

Does anybody know why he hates England so much?

UPDATE 2 - 13/8/2006

Slyv from Salford...

The BBC regards those defining themselves as English as the great unwashed. It is an organisation steeped in snobbery, an elite and illogical bunch of idiots, undermining stability and good feelings about this country (heard them on the subject of the British Empire?) and brown necking extremists.

And as for Jack Straw - don't get me started!

I remember the speech he gave to the Hansard Society (I posted on it here). Did the audience just take the nonsense he spouted? Was there a question and answer session afterwards? Was his tosh rejected?

Sue Campbell again...

The BBC is not fit for purpose. It is funded mostly by money from England, but actively attacks the English and pours hated on the concept of England at every opportunity, whilst also encouraging terrorists with mealy mouthed crap.

We should not have to fund the BBC. It is the enemy of every single person living in England today, breaking down our unity, pouring scorn on our history and encouraging hatred against England and the English amongst recent arrivals.

Of course, the BBC treats Scotland and Wales very differently. Perhaps a lot of Auntie's anti-English bigotry stems from those two countries?

Unfortunately, those countries provide only a tiny amount of the Beeb's funding!

The BBC should be working for England too, not pursuing its own bizarre, racist agenda.

I agree, Sue - the BBC does not serve England's interests, quite the reverse. But the organisation is in the Government's pocket and it is dictated that we have to pay the fee. I don't watch any modern TV - only DVDs, but I STILL have to pay the licence fee.

SICK.

Greg...

Channel Five weather is at it now - referring to "nations and regions"...

"We'll look at the nations first, then we'll do the regions".

Nations and regions are such a bizarre concept outside the Scottish Raj's mindset. Look at the huge display of Cross of St George flags recently displayed by people who know that England is a nation. Are there backhanders going on? I don't understand it...

Channel 5 stinks to high heaven anyway. But in these days of NuLabour quangrocracy, I think it's a fair bet there's some government influence here.

You're right - "nations and regions" is a bizarre Scottish Rajist concept, fresh from Gordon Brown's finest select cuts of crap, and for Channel 5 to be attempting to brainwash its viewer (s) into believing in them smells mighty fishy...

This blog is supportive of the aims of the Campaign for an English Parliament, but is in no way connected.

National Archive jumps on the Anti-English Bandwagon...

Via Gareth comes the worrying news that the condition afflicting most Government departments has now spread to the National Archive. Yep, the Archive, which is apparently supposed to cover "England, Wales and the United Kingdom" (what kind of nonsensical poop is that?!) has attributed the Domesday Book, which was a venture covering only England, to Britain.

I've written 'em this, and will keep you informed of any replies...

Your banner proclaiming the Domesday Book as "Britain's greatest treasure" is inaccurate and offensive.

Anybody with any knowledge of English history (pre-Britain) knows that the Domesday Book related only to England.

So your banner is offensive to:

A) The Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish - as you proclaim that the greatest treasure in BRITAIN is an English venture.

B) English people - to whom it may seem that you are ignoring the existence of their country.

Personally, I am tired of these kinds of errors, the way that England is airbrushed out of existence, and the anti-English Government agenda, which cuts across all areas of life.

I shall not be reading further.

It is worrying that Government departments concerned with presenting and preserving artifacts from our long history appear to be prepared to sacrifice historical accuracy to jump on the Government's racist, anti-English bandwagon.

Gareth has more here and here.

UPDATE - 7/8/2006

In the midst of a busy day I spared the time to check my e-mails and see if the National Archive had replied to my e-mail above. Not a sausage. How do they justify that? Their banner was inaccurate, my e-mail was reasonable, and they are supposed to serve the public.

Except when we mention England, apparently.

Oh well - there's always tomorrow.

Anybody else had a reply?

This blog is supportive of the aims of the Campaign for an English Parliament, but is in no way connected.

Tips for Avoiding Shopping at Anti-English Tesco

You want to do your bit for England, you want to stop shopping at Tesco - the High Priest of Anti-English Supermarkets, but you can't be bothered.

It's so convenient...

You're not shopping there won't make a difference anyway...

Rubbish!

We must all send a clear message to Tesco - that we are not to be treated as second class citizens. We must demand clearly marked English produce in line with Scottish and Welsh Tesco produce. If Tesco are pandering to anti-English racists from Scotland and Wales, or if their board of directors is mainly comprised of the same, they must be taught a lesson.

We must thwack Tesco straight in the profit margin.

You CAN shop elsewhere.

A couple I know live in a village without a shop. They don't have a car and the local bus service is lousy. There is a Tesco on their doorstep. But they never shop there. How do they manage it? A few tips...

For frozen stuff...

Try somewhere like Iceland. Amazingly cheap, good quality, and a far larger range than Tesco. Excellent frozen vegetables. Small range of non-frozen products - like cheese, bread, salad ingredients. If you have a freezer, shop there once a month, save pounds, and watch the housekeeping allowance stretch.

For fresh veg, also look at local markets and greengrocers - English produce is clearly marked and is often cheaper - yes CHEAPER - than that sold in Tesco, and much of what my friends have bought strikes me as fresher. Things like peppers for stews and casseroles can be prepared and frozen at home - with less loss of nutrition than if they had been sat on a supermarket shelf/in your fridge.

Visit the market/greengrocer once or twice a week. The couple I know manage this without a car and both work full-time. If you have a car and/or don't work full-time, think how much easier it will be for you!

On a budget - economy products. If you depend on the big supermarkets "basic" ranges, then Sainsbury's is better than Tesco. Sainsbury's is also anti-English, but has not yet taken it as far as Tesco. Your "Basic" milk or beans will not be emblazoned with the dreaded Union Flag.

Voila - your changes in shopping habits will not have meant uncomfortable changes to your lifestyle, you will be eating fresher produce, saving money and never having to boost the local Anglo-phobic Tesco store's coffers with your hard earned dosh!

REMEMBER - ANYWHERE BUT TESCO!

Nice one!

UPDATE 4/8/2006

Grace tells us...

Even more important, if you don't run a car, Iceland run a free home delivery service. Great store - wins hands down for freezer food quality and its range of £1 products can't be beat!

I used to be a confirmed Tesco shopper. Thought I'd never beat the habit until they started doing away with the Cross of St George on English products and hyping the Saltire on Scotch products. That's racial discrimination, I decided, Tesco can get stuffed!

And I've never looked back.

UPDATE 8/12/2006

Simon in Manchester...

Came across this blog via a BBC thread - good for you.

We have various cancer treatment drugs which are not available in England, but ARE available on the NHS elsewhere in the UK.

We have non-representative MPs from Scots constituencies forcing legislation onto England;

We have England being broken up into regions - despite the North East, the only area allowed a referendum on the subject, voting NO massively, we still have unelected regional assemblies and their powers are growing.

We have Channel 4 making out that Englishness cannot exist without Nazi-style DNA tests (although apparently this does not apply to any other world ethnicities/nationalities).

We have farmers in England getting a worse deal than those in Scotland and Wales.

And, of course, we have Tesco refusing to recognise just one of the UK nations.

As soon as you say you are English, the PC crowd cry "Racist!" I believe that the English are downtrodden and are the most non-racist nation in the UK - and I have non-white friends who are as English as I am.

You're doing good here. It's all part of a much wider issue, and it needs highlighting.

This blog is supportive of the aims of the Campaign for an English Parliament, but is in no way connected.