One of the most ridiculous examples of racist double standards in the UK today is the idea that the English are a mongrel breed, unfit for national recognition, and the Scots, Welsh and Northern Irish are "Celts" - frightening notions of ethnic and genetic purity!
It often reveals itself in the cries of Little Scotlanders, Waleans and even the "Cornish", though we've not yet come across it to any degree amongst Irish people of our acquaintance.
In this CEP thread -
http://www.thecep.org.uk/wordpress/2008/03/08/nooooooooooooooooooooooo/#comment-119
- you can read the thoughts of a regular participant, a Scot, who calls him/herself "Alba" and dreams of the day when the "Celtic nations" beat the English at football.
Very strange. The people behind Our Kingdom, meanwhile, determinedly anti-fascist (and anti-democratic) when it comes England, don't turn a hair at the notion of Celtic ethnic purity in the other UK nations.
English, Scottish, Welsh and Irish are nationalities, not races. And as the notion of an Anglo Saxon population in England is debunked and ridiculed, surely the same should apply to the primping, preening "Celts", with all their special priviliges in the modern day UK - you know, life prolonging medications, free prescriptions, etc, etc?
Not racist that sort of thing, is it? It would only be racist if it was the people of England who were enjoying the benefits, and not those in Scotland and Wales.
Sick!
WRITTEN BY DREW & FIONA
This blog is not right wing or left wing. It simply points out the facts regarding asymmetric national devolution, which is based on Edward Lhuyd's 1707 Celtic myth and historical revisionism, and how it disadvantages ALL people in the largest and most ethnically diverse UK country of all - England.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Peter Facey
Peter Facey and "Unlock Democracy" are both heartily endorsed by the chattering classes.Peter Facey and "Unlock Democracy" are however very puzzling entities indeed.
How do we "unlock democracy" without giving England parity within the UK - and devolution has been awarded on grounds of nationhood elsewhere?
Mr Facey, and therefore "Unlock Democracy", believe that the current Governmernt should carve England up into regions and that it should be subsumed into the UK.
That England should exist no more. And that it should be at the behest of our current corrupt and non-representative political elite.
Surely, England needs a representative national parliament and THAT should decide how England is governed internally? Not according to Mr Facey.
It's illogical. It's the sort of thing that should Joe Bloggs say it, he would be snorted at derisively. But because Mr Facey has the "right background", the chattering classes allow him to chunter unchallenged and believe that the man probably has a point.
"I couldn't have debated well enough," said one person who had spent time debating the English issue with Mr Facey on the more-than-slightly twisted "Our Kingdom" site the day before the Justice Committee hearing.
But Mr Facey does not debate. He gives no replies, no good reason for his anti-English stance.
Pop eyed, defensive body language at the Justice Committee, an absolute refusal to see what democracy MEANS and a site called "Unlock Democracy". How logical is Peter Facey? How democratic? And just what is behind his bizarre mindset?
But the man has the "right background" so gets away with it all, virtually unscathed.
Who said the class system is dead? Why doesn't somebody tell this man that unless he can back up his opinions with logical arguments, he is doing nobody any favours?
Saturday, March 01, 2008
Sue Campbell on "Conniving" MSP Christine Grahame
Born in England, but more Scottish than day old haggis, Christine Grahame uses her place of birth to try and make out that her actions are justified and that she's truly fair-minded. In reality, she's a conniving anti-English... er... MSP!
The SNP are anxious to use her to front their most dishonest endeavours, because then they can say: "But she was born in England! She's English! She has no axe to grind!"
No she isn't English - and yes she does have an axe to grind. She hates the English. I was born in Scotland and my Dad's a Scot, but believe me nationality's really a state of mind and I'm English!
See more about Ms Grahame here.
The SNP are anxious to use her to front their most dishonest endeavours, because then they can say: "But she was born in England! She's English! She has no axe to grind!"
No she isn't English - and yes she does have an axe to grind. She hates the English. I was born in Scotland and my Dad's a Scot, but believe me nationality's really a state of mind and I'm English!
See more about Ms Grahame here.
Our Kingdom: The Secret Person - A Reply...
From The Secret Person:
While I disagree with Peter Facey and co. Our Kingdom has also allowed the CEP's Michael Knowles and Gareth Young to make contributions. I think anything that gets people talking about the English question is worthwhile. These are exactly the type of people and arguments we will come up against in persuading the British establishment so it is useful to argue against them now.
We reply:
Thank you for writing.
With all due respect, we disagree. Our Kingdom is not what it stated it would be, the likes of Anthony Barnett are actually anti-English fascists, out to smear any campaigns for equality for England as "racist" - it is not a site for fair debate with its organisers having such a strong agenda of their own. They may deny they have such an agenda, but just read through the site. The facts speak for themselves.
Because of most of its content, we don't see Our Kingdom as a quality site. Just because it declared itself as important at the outset and the chattering classes fell on its neck, doesn't make it so.
At the end of the day, the likes of Peter Facey are spouting an awful lot of evasive, illogical drivel, which, once the public is made fully aware of the issues, he will cease doing because it IS such evasive, illogical drivel. He only does so at the moment to cloud the issues and because he hopes that he may fool a few more poor innocents into not peering too deeply into matters. "Unlock Democracy"? It's nonsense, of course - another anti-English/England organisation.
Once the issues go wide, the howls of derision at what the likes of Mr Facey have been saying will discourage any further nonsense.
Our Kingdom may allow contributions from the likes of Mike Knowles and Gareth Young, really it has to if you think about it, but that does not alter the fact that its organisers have a strong anti-English bias, and couldn't give a damn about the everyday man or woman in the street.
There's space for all sorts on the blogosphere, as I'm sure you agree. All of us involved in WENAP are breadline, working class care workers/nurses and what is happening in England makes us intensely angry.
In our view, people should not be giving the likes of Our Kingdom credence as an unbiased, respectable site for debate because it is not. It allows views to be expressed about England that it would never allow to be expressed about the other UK nations (did you read the post about our lack of moral vision being the reason why we don't deserve a parliament?) and backs up the fascist "Celt" assumption which is STILL prevelant in Scotland and Wales.
Whilst people continue to believe that Our Kingdom is "spiffing" and a "good egg", and whilst it continues with its dreadful, twisted, anti-English attitudes, we shall continue to highlight the true facts.
Thanks again for writing.
While I disagree with Peter Facey and co. Our Kingdom has also allowed the CEP's Michael Knowles and Gareth Young to make contributions. I think anything that gets people talking about the English question is worthwhile. These are exactly the type of people and arguments we will come up against in persuading the British establishment so it is useful to argue against them now.
We reply:
Thank you for writing.
With all due respect, we disagree. Our Kingdom is not what it stated it would be, the likes of Anthony Barnett are actually anti-English fascists, out to smear any campaigns for equality for England as "racist" - it is not a site for fair debate with its organisers having such a strong agenda of their own. They may deny they have such an agenda, but just read through the site. The facts speak for themselves.
Because of most of its content, we don't see Our Kingdom as a quality site. Just because it declared itself as important at the outset and the chattering classes fell on its neck, doesn't make it so.
At the end of the day, the likes of Peter Facey are spouting an awful lot of evasive, illogical drivel, which, once the public is made fully aware of the issues, he will cease doing because it IS such evasive, illogical drivel. He only does so at the moment to cloud the issues and because he hopes that he may fool a few more poor innocents into not peering too deeply into matters. "Unlock Democracy"? It's nonsense, of course - another anti-English/England organisation.
Once the issues go wide, the howls of derision at what the likes of Mr Facey have been saying will discourage any further nonsense.
Our Kingdom may allow contributions from the likes of Mike Knowles and Gareth Young, really it has to if you think about it, but that does not alter the fact that its organisers have a strong anti-English bias, and couldn't give a damn about the everyday man or woman in the street.
There's space for all sorts on the blogosphere, as I'm sure you agree. All of us involved in WENAP are breadline, working class care workers/nurses and what is happening in England makes us intensely angry.
In our view, people should not be giving the likes of Our Kingdom credence as an unbiased, respectable site for debate because it is not. It allows views to be expressed about England that it would never allow to be expressed about the other UK nations (did you read the post about our lack of moral vision being the reason why we don't deserve a parliament?) and backs up the fascist "Celt" assumption which is STILL prevelant in Scotland and Wales.
Whilst people continue to believe that Our Kingdom is "spiffing" and a "good egg", and whilst it continues with its dreadful, twisted, anti-English attitudes, we shall continue to highlight the true facts.
Thanks again for writing.
Google Decides Which UK Saints to Celebrate - 2008
Ah, the first of our annual Saint's days and Google says it's OK to celebrate St David's Day, Patron Saint of Wales. It was last year, too, but it's even better this year because last year there was only a daffodil as part of the celebratory logo, this year there is also a leek.Now, which other Saints are OK in 2008? Last year it was St David and St Patrick (Ireland). But not St Andrew (Scotland) or St George (England). Let's take your bets for this year, ladies and gentlemen...
And happy St David's Day, Wales.
Friday, February 29, 2008
The Self Importance Of Our Kingdom
Recently received...
Our Kingdom immediately proclaimed itself to be something of import and seems to have been accepted as such in certain circles. Must be something to do with the class system! I read it as a boring, fascist site - which favours the UK Gov and EU over equal rights for the English.
Absolutely right. Who decides that Our Kingdom is worthy of reading and contributing to? Who thinks that Our Kingdom, which contains the downward forefinger jabbing, pop-eyed, non-democratic nonsense of the likes of Open Democracy's Peter Facey and the "Quick, write me an e-mail and make it look like it's from an English fascist!" nonsense of Anthony Barnett, is a worthy venture?
Who decides it's a site worth debating at? The site allows much fascist anti-English drivel to be published. Are the Scots, Welsh and "Cornish" Celts? Yes, says Our Kingdom! Does England lack moral vision and so not qualify for democratic rule? Yes, says our Kingdom!
People will say, "Ah, but Our Kingdom is not actually agreeing, it's simply allowing its real estate to be used to put forward these views."
Yes, but if it allowed such views to be expressed about any other nationality, the middle class prigs flocking to attend would fling up their hands in horror!
The likes of Open Democracy - come on down and jab your forefinger here and tell us what put you off the idea of democracy and parity for England, Peter Facey, and Our Kingdom - let's string together the words "English-fascist", does it give you an orgasm, Anthony Barnett? - are so far removed from the ordinary man and woman on the street.
Posing as civilised debate, they mask a heap of fascist, biased crap - all of it levelled against England.
Come down to our local high street Mr Facey, where we were discussing the need for an English Parliament this morning, downward jab your forefinger at us and tell us why regionalisation by the UK Government is best.
Get out into the real world. But then it's not really your scene, is it?
And Anthony Barnett, you already know what a rough and ready rabble the English are, don't you?
IOHO, Our Kingdom and Unlock Democracy is staffed by unreasonable, anti-English racists, to whom the so-called "Union" is God.
Lying, arrogant fuckwits.
Our Kingdom immediately proclaimed itself to be something of import and seems to have been accepted as such in certain circles. Must be something to do with the class system! I read it as a boring, fascist site - which favours the UK Gov and EU over equal rights for the English.
Absolutely right. Who decides that Our Kingdom is worthy of reading and contributing to? Who thinks that Our Kingdom, which contains the downward forefinger jabbing, pop-eyed, non-democratic nonsense of the likes of Open Democracy's Peter Facey and the "Quick, write me an e-mail and make it look like it's from an English fascist!" nonsense of Anthony Barnett, is a worthy venture?
Who decides it's a site worth debating at? The site allows much fascist anti-English drivel to be published. Are the Scots, Welsh and "Cornish" Celts? Yes, says Our Kingdom! Does England lack moral vision and so not qualify for democratic rule? Yes, says our Kingdom!
People will say, "Ah, but Our Kingdom is not actually agreeing, it's simply allowing its real estate to be used to put forward these views."
Yes, but if it allowed such views to be expressed about any other nationality, the middle class prigs flocking to attend would fling up their hands in horror!
The likes of Open Democracy - come on down and jab your forefinger here and tell us what put you off the idea of democracy and parity for England, Peter Facey, and Our Kingdom - let's string together the words "English-fascist", does it give you an orgasm, Anthony Barnett? - are so far removed from the ordinary man and woman on the street.
Posing as civilised debate, they mask a heap of fascist, biased crap - all of it levelled against England.
Come down to our local high street Mr Facey, where we were discussing the need for an English Parliament this morning, downward jab your forefinger at us and tell us why regionalisation by the UK Government is best.
Get out into the real world. But then it's not really your scene, is it?
And Anthony Barnett, you already know what a rough and ready rabble the English are, don't you?
IOHO, Our Kingdom and Unlock Democracy is staffed by unreasonable, anti-English racists, to whom the so-called "Union" is God.
Lying, arrogant fuckwits.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
The Neil Harding Thread - A Pearl Of Wisdom!
David, from Britologywatch, sent the comment below to the Neil Harding thread. It seemed far too interesting to be left there!
Not the least of the ironies of Neil Harding's comments is that, if being 'mongrel' (or even hybrid), in the way he suggests that the English are, disqualifies a people from being a proper nation and having their own parliament, then doesn't this disqualify Britain as a nation and call into question the legitimacy of its parliament? Sounds like the only solution would be to let the peoples (hybrid, remember) of Britain decide democratically what parliament or parliaments they would like; and as Britain is not a nation, I'm sure they'd reject the current set up!
Not the least of the ironies of Neil Harding's comments is that, if being 'mongrel' (or even hybrid), in the way he suggests that the English are, disqualifies a people from being a proper nation and having their own parliament, then doesn't this disqualify Britain as a nation and call into question the legitimacy of its parliament? Sounds like the only solution would be to let the peoples (hybrid, remember) of Britain decide democratically what parliament or parliaments they would like; and as Britain is not a nation, I'm sure they'd reject the current set up!
More From Neil Harding
Thanks to Neil Harding for writing again:
No federal system in the world would propose one federation having 85% of the population.
We already have regional government in the UK - except it is unelected quangos that are spending £130bn of our money in eight regions. Only one region is elected - (London). Scrapping these quangos and replacing them with elected assemblies needn't cost anything.
If government can work so well for Scotland and Wales with 5m and 3m populations respectively, why not the South East and North West etc, with 8m and 7m populations etc. respectively?
Look at any national organisation - regions of roughly this size are the way they organise, because it is the most efficient way of providing services. The counties are too small and England too big.
A good example is the 32 boroughs in London. Before devolution, transport policy was a disaster with petty politics between the boroughs destroying any strategic overview. Recycling and waste collestion still is poor because it needs to be organised London wide, like transport is, if it is to improve. Film makers in London for example regular restrict filming or go elsewhere because of the infamous rigmarole of having to get approval from each and every borough. How many other businesses have been put of by this needless petty bureaucratic mess?
We reply:
With a honed down UK Government to oversee matters there is no reason why England should not have a national parliament - its powers would be confined to England. There is no reason at all why it should not work.
The problem is, New Labour has already awarded NATIONAL devotion to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. And it is not up to the UK Government to dictate that England should not have parity, and indeed, dissolve that country. And the people of London have never voted for "regional devolution", that was never placed before them at the ballot box.
Internal governance of England, be it regions, counties, both or neither, should be decided by a nationally representative English parliament. There are also issues regarding rivers, North Sea oil, etc, which Scotland is dealing with as a nation but there is no corresponding English voice, leading to accusations of unfairness. The UK Government does not see its role as looking after England's national interests in the UK.
Regional assemblies are unwanted within England, 78% voted NO in the North East, and yet you still seem to think they should be introduced, against the will of the people.
Mr Harding, to be honest we think that your views are rather changeable. We think your original article on English nationalism was dispicable, making out that we were all ignorant racists whose nation, because of diverse influences, had no right to national representation anyway.
You then acknowledge our point that all/most nations are mongrel and suggest that each English "region" should have parity with Scotland. We point out that that would mean national parliaments for each region, another correspondent points out to us that each parliament should cover only five million people, and of course each budget must match Scotland. If not, Scotland would still be getting preferential treatment as a NATION.
In this latest e-mail, you revert to the tried and trusted Nu Labour chant of "regional assemblies". You seem to have ignored our previous points that these regions are unwanted and unvoted for, that 78% in the North East voted NO to regionalisation, and that several recent polls, including one for the BBC (here), show that over 60% of the electorate want an English parliament.
It is not the UK Government's right to restore democratic national representation to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and dissolve England. You also ignore our point about Gordon Brown having no mandate to govern England, the fact that much of his government's legislation does not apply to his own devolved constituents with their own devolved, national government.
It is up to an English parliament to decide to on the internal government of England, be it regions, counties, both or neither, as we have said before.
The other option, of course, is to dissolve the national bodies in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, abolish the Barnett Formula, and create a different system of regionalisation, which does not recognise the nations, or have a unitary system again.
That will never happen.
And England deserves and needs parity - national representation within the UK on a par with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
If the UK does break up, that's one of those things.
But we see no real reason why it should.
And it's no reason to deny the people of England a voice.
No federal system in the world would propose one federation having 85% of the population.
We already have regional government in the UK - except it is unelected quangos that are spending £130bn of our money in eight regions. Only one region is elected - (London). Scrapping these quangos and replacing them with elected assemblies needn't cost anything.
If government can work so well for Scotland and Wales with 5m and 3m populations respectively, why not the South East and North West etc, with 8m and 7m populations etc. respectively?
Look at any national organisation - regions of roughly this size are the way they organise, because it is the most efficient way of providing services. The counties are too small and England too big.
A good example is the 32 boroughs in London. Before devolution, transport policy was a disaster with petty politics between the boroughs destroying any strategic overview. Recycling and waste collestion still is poor because it needs to be organised London wide, like transport is, if it is to improve. Film makers in London for example regular restrict filming or go elsewhere because of the infamous rigmarole of having to get approval from each and every borough. How many other businesses have been put of by this needless petty bureaucratic mess?
We reply:
With a honed down UK Government to oversee matters there is no reason why England should not have a national parliament - its powers would be confined to England. There is no reason at all why it should not work.
The problem is, New Labour has already awarded NATIONAL devotion to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. And it is not up to the UK Government to dictate that England should not have parity, and indeed, dissolve that country. And the people of London have never voted for "regional devolution", that was never placed before them at the ballot box.
Internal governance of England, be it regions, counties, both or neither, should be decided by a nationally representative English parliament. There are also issues regarding rivers, North Sea oil, etc, which Scotland is dealing with as a nation but there is no corresponding English voice, leading to accusations of unfairness. The UK Government does not see its role as looking after England's national interests in the UK.
Regional assemblies are unwanted within England, 78% voted NO in the North East, and yet you still seem to think they should be introduced, against the will of the people.
Mr Harding, to be honest we think that your views are rather changeable. We think your original article on English nationalism was dispicable, making out that we were all ignorant racists whose nation, because of diverse influences, had no right to national representation anyway.
You then acknowledge our point that all/most nations are mongrel and suggest that each English "region" should have parity with Scotland. We point out that that would mean national parliaments for each region, another correspondent points out to us that each parliament should cover only five million people, and of course each budget must match Scotland. If not, Scotland would still be getting preferential treatment as a NATION.
In this latest e-mail, you revert to the tried and trusted Nu Labour chant of "regional assemblies". You seem to have ignored our previous points that these regions are unwanted and unvoted for, that 78% in the North East voted NO to regionalisation, and that several recent polls, including one for the BBC (here), show that over 60% of the electorate want an English parliament.
It is not the UK Government's right to restore democratic national representation to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and dissolve England. You also ignore our point about Gordon Brown having no mandate to govern England, the fact that much of his government's legislation does not apply to his own devolved constituents with their own devolved, national government.
It is up to an English parliament to decide to on the internal government of England, be it regions, counties, both or neither, as we have said before.
The other option, of course, is to dissolve the national bodies in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, abolish the Barnett Formula, and create a different system of regionalisation, which does not recognise the nations, or have a unitary system again.
That will never happen.
And England deserves and needs parity - national representation within the UK on a par with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
If the UK does break up, that's one of those things.
But we see no real reason why it should.
And it's no reason to deny the people of England a voice.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Scottish Racist
Alfie carries news of a Church of Scotland cleric, spreading words of peace and love about the English to impressionable young minds in a Scots primary school following last night's earthquake in England:
He stood up, dressed in all his Christian finery, dog collar and regulation comb-over - and delivered his talk to a hall packed with impressionable young minds and their parents. He mentioned current events, spreading his Christian message throughout, weaving the Christian virtues of forgiveness, understanding and friendship throughout the speech.
He wound up with the story about last night's earthquake in Lincolnshire, England. He said that the 'quake was felt right across England and that there are initial reports of some structural damage.. He finished with the quote - "It couldn't happen to a nicer bunch of people"....
Read the full story here.
He stood up, dressed in all his Christian finery, dog collar and regulation comb-over - and delivered his talk to a hall packed with impressionable young minds and their parents. He mentioned current events, spreading his Christian message throughout, weaving the Christian virtues of forgiveness, understanding and friendship throughout the speech.
He wound up with the story about last night's earthquake in Lincolnshire, England. He said that the 'quake was felt right across England and that there are initial reports of some structural damage.. He finished with the quote - "It couldn't happen to a nicer bunch of people"....
Read the full story here.
Our Kingdom Again: "Ominously" Anthony Barnett
Anthony Barnett writes a strange piece about Janet Daley's Telegraph article on defining Britishness.
Well, it's strange for those who are not used to his little ways on Our Kingdom.
Mr Barnett runs straight down the comments thread and grabs hold of a comment beginning:
I do so agree with those who prefer to be English rather than British. It makes me feel very resentful when I hear discussions where people are described as Asians, African, Afro-Caribeans and we are described as White (often by foreigners to these shores)I frequently point out that White is not a nationality and that my nationality is English.
And then Mr Barnett, of course, immediately decides that the writer is a racist.
But doesn't the problem actually lie elsewhere? Isn't it the UK Government which suppresses English national identity, whilst encouraging others? Isn't it the UK Government which brings a person's colour in to official form filling? Are you "White British" or "Black British"?
Perhaps it would be better to ask if people regard themselves as English or British? Because the array of tick boxes and the absence of an "English" option tick box is bewildering. Or perhaps the UK Government could follow what is happening elsewhere and list options such as "Jewish-English"?
Whatever, the Government's attempts to divide and rule and its refusal to recognise England and Englishness are what is at the root of this.
I wouldn't wrap me chips in "Our Kingdom"!
Well, it's strange for those who are not used to his little ways on Our Kingdom.
Mr Barnett runs straight down the comments thread and grabs hold of a comment beginning:
I do so agree with those who prefer to be English rather than British. It makes me feel very resentful when I hear discussions where people are described as Asians, African, Afro-Caribeans and we are described as White (often by foreigners to these shores)I frequently point out that White is not a nationality and that my nationality is English.
And then Mr Barnett, of course, immediately decides that the writer is a racist.
But doesn't the problem actually lie elsewhere? Isn't it the UK Government which suppresses English national identity, whilst encouraging others? Isn't it the UK Government which brings a person's colour in to official form filling? Are you "White British" or "Black British"?
Perhaps it would be better to ask if people regard themselves as English or British? Because the array of tick boxes and the absence of an "English" option tick box is bewildering. Or perhaps the UK Government could follow what is happening elsewhere and list options such as "Jewish-English"?
Whatever, the Government's attempts to divide and rule and its refusal to recognise England and Englishness are what is at the root of this.
I wouldn't wrap me chips in "Our Kingdom"!
Our Kingdom Is Thrilled!
I had to smile when I read this on Our Kingdom. How thrilling for its priggish, anti-English/England writers that a film apparently depicting skinheads in the 1980s has made best "British" film!
"YES! Well done, Shane!" Quick, file under England, fascism...
You can just imagine the writer, almost pooing his usually pristine geeky knickers to get that online.
A couple of points:
The skinhead thing was up and running well before the 1980s as was football hooliganism - fans were being penned in in the early 1970s.
Old Labour voter, that was me, hated Thatcher, but this constant priggish nonsense about the 1980s is very wearing. Just for a change, couldn't it have been set in the just as grim 70s?
The other point is the constant anti-English bias of "Our Kingdom". The makers of the "This Is England" film were, I suggest, very ignorant in trying to portray English nationalism in this light in the modern day and age.
This is the age of the West Lothian Question, a non-representative PM ruling England, health apartheid, etc. It would be refreshing to see something set in the modern day, highlighting the current forms of English nationalism and the reasons for it.
We have a government which habitually discriminates against every man, woman and child in England, valuing Scots, Welsh and Northern Irish lives far higher than ours.
And yet some film makers and "Our Kingdom" are anxious to promote English nationalism as it was in the 60s/70s/80s.
Great.
I do not recommend "Our Kingdom". Sometimes I suspect that the people behind it are all clones of Tristram Fourmile.
Actually, it strikes me that England was used as a negative (remember "Oi! For England"?) and Britain as a positive even back in the '80s. UK PLC brainwashing was obviously up and running. But, after the devolution scares of the '70s, nobody was going to examine Scots' racism. Which is great. And probably contributes to the way the arrogant, non-insightful likes of Gordon Brown strut around Westminster now.
And other little things.
Like health apartheid.
"YES! Well done, Shane!" Quick, file under England, fascism...
You can just imagine the writer, almost pooing his usually pristine geeky knickers to get that online.
A couple of points:
The skinhead thing was up and running well before the 1980s as was football hooliganism - fans were being penned in in the early 1970s.
Old Labour voter, that was me, hated Thatcher, but this constant priggish nonsense about the 1980s is very wearing. Just for a change, couldn't it have been set in the just as grim 70s?
The other point is the constant anti-English bias of "Our Kingdom". The makers of the "This Is England" film were, I suggest, very ignorant in trying to portray English nationalism in this light in the modern day and age.
This is the age of the West Lothian Question, a non-representative PM ruling England, health apartheid, etc. It would be refreshing to see something set in the modern day, highlighting the current forms of English nationalism and the reasons for it.
We have a government which habitually discriminates against every man, woman and child in England, valuing Scots, Welsh and Northern Irish lives far higher than ours.
And yet some film makers and "Our Kingdom" are anxious to promote English nationalism as it was in the 60s/70s/80s.
Great.
I do not recommend "Our Kingdom". Sometimes I suspect that the people behind it are all clones of Tristram Fourmile.
Actually, it strikes me that England was used as a negative (remember "Oi! For England"?) and Britain as a positive even back in the '80s. UK PLC brainwashing was obviously up and running. But, after the devolution scares of the '70s, nobody was going to examine Scots' racism. Which is great. And probably contributes to the way the arrogant, non-insightful likes of Gordon Brown strut around Westminster now.
And other little things.
Like health apartheid.
Neil Harding
Thanks to Neil Harding for e-mailing us regarding his racist comments about "mongrel" England. Below, Mr Harding withdraws some of his comments, perhaps we, and all nations, are "hybrid"?
We get the usual train of thought - an English parliament would break up the gravy train, sorry, we mean "UK", etc.
Below are Mr Harding's thoughts, followed up with a few of ours.
'Mongrel' is a very emotive word with sometimes negative racial connotations but I was not using it in that context at all - just to mean 'mixed origins' - which of course (as you suggest) all nations are. Perhaps in hindsight I should have used the term 'hybrid'.
An English Parliament poses many problems - a federal UK system with one parliament having 85% of the population would just not last very long - it would inevitably lead to the breakup of the UK. Maybe that is what some people want, but not the majority I imagine. I could live with an EP elected by PR (but it would still signal the end of the UK), but one where 35% of the English vote would give a majority to one party is as unjustifiable as Labour currently having a majority on 35% of the UK vote. Whichever party dominated, either the Tory South or Labour North would be alienated just as socialist voting Scotland, Wales and London were alienated by Tory UK rule and led successfully to their own devolved governance. How much better to have regional assemblies - give them the same powers as Scotland and this just as easily solves the west lothian question. What is the problem with this?
We reply...
Firstly, Mr Harding, the UK Government has never suggested regionalising England to the extent that each region has parliaments with the same powers as Scotland.
The regions on offer are tinpot talking shops, designed to muddy the waters and stop the English from asking questions about devolution. "You ARE a region - not a nation! You HAVE devolution!" is the UK Government's stock argument for these areas of England. But nobody voted for these regional bodies. And the North East, the only area allowed a referendum, voted 78% AGAINST!
Would the type of devolution you suggest, each English region on a par with Scotland, really work? All these NATIONS with different health, education transport policies, etc? Because that is what it would take to bring the so-called English regions onto a par with Scotland. Each would have to have its own fully fledged, national parliament. Enormously expensive. Rather nonsensical. England would cease to exist, of course, which would please you no doubt, but the UK would be a very odd and fragmented place indeed.
No, the only route forward is for the UK Government to give the people of England all the facts and let them decide if they would like a national parliament via a referendum. This is what happened with Scotland.
Useless to go on about the Scots being tired of "Tory" governments foisted on them by England. The old unitary system sometimes worked against England, too. It was flawed but did not involve health apartheid, etc.
As for the internal governance of England, first we need a national parliament, then other decisions should be made. If you are seriously suggesting to us that Gordon Brown, a non-accountable MP for a constituency in Scotland, should have the main say over the internal governance of England, then we must reply that we do not think you understand what democratic rule is!
We were old Labour supporters, Mr Harding, and now we support no party. We are care workers and we see what the UK Government is doing to care services and the NHS in England via the likes of the odious "Supporting People" organisation. Did you know that care and NHS workers in England are now gagged as part of their contracts so that they cannot speak out?
Nope, England needs a parliament. It may not suit you, or other "UK rump" politicians riding the gravy train, but England needs national recognition within the UK. It's needed it ever since Scotland and Wales were awarded it. And now Northern Ireland is following suit.
The UK is a union of nations. The UK Government should serve those nations, not seek to abolish one of them just because it doesn't suit!
New Labour is not a Socialist party. That's nonsense. We see what's happening on the ground in health and social care, we know that people die in England for want of medication available on the NHS in Scotland, we know that people in England scrimp and save for prescriptions free to millionaires in Wales.
England needs its freedom to decide its own future. The UK needn't break up. But if it is the will of the people, so be it.
Personally, we think a federal system could work very well, if it is the will of the people.
UK politicians are all about suppressing the will of the people of England, to preserve a status quo that is no longer fit for purpose.
But please don't tell us that you are a Socialist. Your party's uncaring attitude, skewed devolution settlements and your own rantings against England and the English prove that both you and your party are very far from being Socialist.
CHRIS ABBOTT, DREW & FIONA
We get the usual train of thought - an English parliament would break up the gravy train, sorry, we mean "UK", etc.
Below are Mr Harding's thoughts, followed up with a few of ours.
'Mongrel' is a very emotive word with sometimes negative racial connotations but I was not using it in that context at all - just to mean 'mixed origins' - which of course (as you suggest) all nations are. Perhaps in hindsight I should have used the term 'hybrid'.
An English Parliament poses many problems - a federal UK system with one parliament having 85% of the population would just not last very long - it would inevitably lead to the breakup of the UK. Maybe that is what some people want, but not the majority I imagine. I could live with an EP elected by PR (but it would still signal the end of the UK), but one where 35% of the English vote would give a majority to one party is as unjustifiable as Labour currently having a majority on 35% of the UK vote. Whichever party dominated, either the Tory South or Labour North would be alienated just as socialist voting Scotland, Wales and London were alienated by Tory UK rule and led successfully to their own devolved governance. How much better to have regional assemblies - give them the same powers as Scotland and this just as easily solves the west lothian question. What is the problem with this?
We reply...
Firstly, Mr Harding, the UK Government has never suggested regionalising England to the extent that each region has parliaments with the same powers as Scotland.
The regions on offer are tinpot talking shops, designed to muddy the waters and stop the English from asking questions about devolution. "You ARE a region - not a nation! You HAVE devolution!" is the UK Government's stock argument for these areas of England. But nobody voted for these regional bodies. And the North East, the only area allowed a referendum, voted 78% AGAINST!
Would the type of devolution you suggest, each English region on a par with Scotland, really work? All these NATIONS with different health, education transport policies, etc? Because that is what it would take to bring the so-called English regions onto a par with Scotland. Each would have to have its own fully fledged, national parliament. Enormously expensive. Rather nonsensical. England would cease to exist, of course, which would please you no doubt, but the UK would be a very odd and fragmented place indeed.
No, the only route forward is for the UK Government to give the people of England all the facts and let them decide if they would like a national parliament via a referendum. This is what happened with Scotland.
Useless to go on about the Scots being tired of "Tory" governments foisted on them by England. The old unitary system sometimes worked against England, too. It was flawed but did not involve health apartheid, etc.
As for the internal governance of England, first we need a national parliament, then other decisions should be made. If you are seriously suggesting to us that Gordon Brown, a non-accountable MP for a constituency in Scotland, should have the main say over the internal governance of England, then we must reply that we do not think you understand what democratic rule is!
We were old Labour supporters, Mr Harding, and now we support no party. We are care workers and we see what the UK Government is doing to care services and the NHS in England via the likes of the odious "Supporting People" organisation. Did you know that care and NHS workers in England are now gagged as part of their contracts so that they cannot speak out?
Nope, England needs a parliament. It may not suit you, or other "UK rump" politicians riding the gravy train, but England needs national recognition within the UK. It's needed it ever since Scotland and Wales were awarded it. And now Northern Ireland is following suit.
The UK is a union of nations. The UK Government should serve those nations, not seek to abolish one of them just because it doesn't suit!
New Labour is not a Socialist party. That's nonsense. We see what's happening on the ground in health and social care, we know that people die in England for want of medication available on the NHS in Scotland, we know that people in England scrimp and save for prescriptions free to millionaires in Wales.
England needs its freedom to decide its own future. The UK needn't break up. But if it is the will of the people, so be it.
Personally, we think a federal system could work very well, if it is the will of the people.
UK politicians are all about suppressing the will of the people of England, to preserve a status quo that is no longer fit for purpose.
But please don't tell us that you are a Socialist. Your party's uncaring attitude, skewed devolution settlements and your own rantings against England and the English prove that both you and your party are very far from being Socialist.
CHRIS ABBOTT, DREW & FIONA
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Neil Harding - The English Are Ignorant, Impure Mongrels Who Do Not Qualify For Democratic Rule
How odd that Neil Harding, of Brighton Regency Labour Party, thinks that the English should not have a national parliament because they are not pure enough.
“There is a certain irony to nationalist calls for an English ‘parliament’ and their calls to leave the EU - to be ruled by the ‘English’, when in fact the public school dominated ruling classes in London are probably more French than those in Brussels in terms of their ancestry”
Mr Harding then goes on to cite things that (apparently) arrived here from abroad and just how "mongrelised" we are.
This is apparently justification for us not having a say on the EU or having our own national parliament.
We're not "pure" enough!
Mr Harding has no such difficulties with the Scots, Welsh and Northern Irish, of course.
We doubt the accuracy of some of Mr Harding's statements, but we fully accept that England is a mongrel nation. Aren't all/most nations?
The UK Government/EU regions are not based on, nor correspond to, ancient Anglo Saxon kingdoms as Mr Harding states either.
Neil Harding's argument all boils down to the fact that we're not clever enough, innovative enough or PURE enough to qualify for democratic rule.
Neil Harding - fascist!
Big hat tips to The Secret Person, via The England Project.
“There is a certain irony to nationalist calls for an English ‘parliament’ and their calls to leave the EU - to be ruled by the ‘English’, when in fact the public school dominated ruling classes in London are probably more French than those in Brussels in terms of their ancestry”
Mr Harding then goes on to cite things that (apparently) arrived here from abroad and just how "mongrelised" we are.
This is apparently justification for us not having a say on the EU or having our own national parliament.
We're not "pure" enough!
Mr Harding has no such difficulties with the Scots, Welsh and Northern Irish, of course.
We doubt the accuracy of some of Mr Harding's statements, but we fully accept that England is a mongrel nation. Aren't all/most nations?
The UK Government/EU regions are not based on, nor correspond to, ancient Anglo Saxon kingdoms as Mr Harding states either.
Neil Harding's argument all boils down to the fact that we're not clever enough, innovative enough or PURE enough to qualify for democratic rule.
Neil Harding - fascist!
Big hat tips to The Secret Person, via The England Project.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
The Racist Element
I had an e-mail today asking if I thought there was a racist element at work regarding the current situation.
I think there is - but it's one of a number of things working against the people of England in the devolution game.
A few thoughts of mine...
1) The "racist" element...
England is a cosmopolitan country with a very long history. Since the Act of Union with Scotland, England has become absorbed into the bulk of the UK in a way that Scotland and Wales haven't.
For some reason, all the baggage of the old British Empire has been laid at England's door - despite the fact that it was actually a venture of England, Scotland, Wales and the whole of Ireland. And the Scots were disproportionately active in the running of the Empire. The trouble is that the other UK nations have heaped the blame on to England. And the poison has spread abroad.
Ridiculous.
The Empire was a BRITISH venture, in very different times, now judged by many to have been a "very bad thing". Fine. But it's gone. We can only learn the lessons from it, and scapgoating England, with the other nations smugly climbing into their pulpits to denounce us for something they were EQUALLY guilty of, is not on.
2) Celts and Anglo Saxons.
We know that the traditional cultures of England, Scotland and Wales were largely based on traditions handed down from the Celts and Anglo Saxons. Fine. But it sticks in my crop a little when some Scots, Welsh, Irish and "Cornish" folk refer to themselves as "Celts". There is a similar problem with some English people proclaiming themselves "Anglo Saxon". Surely English, Scottish, Irish and Welsh are nationalities - not proclaimations of pure bloodlines?!
Surely you don't have to be WHITE to be English, Scottish, Irish or Welsh?
In the case of the English, people proclaiming themselves "Anglo Saxon" are usually smacked on the snout with TV programmes like "100% English". But the Scots, Welsh and Irish are allowed to describe themselves as "Celts" and nobody says a word. Stinking double standards.
I sometimes get the impression that the people of England are treated as an "impure rabble" by this UK Government - and that is why we have health apartheid, the West Lothian Question etc - and as soon as anybody mentions England or Englishness the Government screeches "RACIST!!" Very odd. But UK PLC and the likes of Gordon Brown feathering his own country's nest must come first.
When Mr Brown rambles on about his plans for "Britain" he's usually talking about England by the way. He has very little authority over domestic policy in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. His own constituents up in Scotland are largely unaffected by his actions. And he isn't democratically accountable to the people of the country he does rule. That's right, England.
Brown's in a flap, he's forcing public buildings in England to fly the Union Flag (they fly their own flags in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) purely for his own ends. He's not out to foster a sense of solidarity in England. Far from it. Divide and rule, that's his game. He's ramming the Union Flag down your throat because he's terrified you may realise what's going on in devolution (for some) Britain.
And what about regional assemblies? These are basically a way of dissolving England into easily-ruled, tinpot regions. The North East, the only area allowed a referendum, voted 78% NO to regionalisation. But it still continues apace. Non-elected, corrupt, money sapping bodies, taking powers from your elected local councils.
3) Who can be English?
English is a nationality and all citizens of England are entitled to be English. England is a country with traditions stretching back centuries and these should not be suppressed as the UK Government is always attempting to do. English culture, like St George's Day, is supposed to be "non-inclusive". Rubbish. That's just the Government trying to brainwash people. The culture of England is as inclusive as its people want it to be. Nobody moving here imagines that they are moving to a country with no history or traditions. It is a cynical ploy by the Government to divide and rule when the screeches of "RACIST!" are heard. I live in an ethnically mixed area, and I can honestly say that the only people I have heard debunking English traditions are white, chattering class, Nu Labour supporting idiots.
And remember whilst you are at it that Nu Labour is NOT Old Labour. Back in the 1980s, I was vehemently anti-Thatcher, a confirmed Socialist. But Nu Labour is NOT a Socialist party. The damage done to the NHS, social care and education in England under Nu Labour would have had us fainting with disbelief back in the 1980s!
And the writers of this blog are all care workers and nurses. We speak from experience. Not Okay when Thatcher tried it, but nowdays people take the high moral ground for voting for Nu Labour, who have done a damned sight worst.
Hypocrites.
To return to "Who Can Be English", I believe that the establishment of an English civic national identity is highly important. Scots and Welsh versions are already being worked on by their national executives.
One of the worst developments of recent years is the rise of the odious BNP. This is happening as that party makes hay with the government's and main opposition parties' skewed and unfair policies. It must be stopped.
So much more I could write...
But remember that it cannot be right that millionaires in Wales don't pay prescription fees, whilst people scrimp and save for them in England.
It cannot be right that public services and the NHS are higher funded in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, via subsidies from England.
It cannot be right that people die in England for want of medication available on the NHS in Scotland.
It cannot be right that unaccountable MPs, including our PM, force legislation onto England that will not affect their own constituents.
It is not only the BNP that is racist. UK politics is heavy with it, all levelled against the people of England.
We do not live in a democracy.
If, after this, you believe that England is getting what it deserves, that it is an evil, corrupt country which has dominated the UK for far too long, then take a closer look at history. Once again, you will see that England is all too often scapegoated for the sins of Britain.
For instance, did you know that Ireland was partitioned under PM David Lloyd George, a Welshman, with a Cabinet stuffed full of Scots?
Blame for the past must be shared.
And England must be allowed parity with the other UK nations - or the so-called Union must end.
By the way, I'm very happy to proclaim myself English and I'm of English/Scots parentage, with a hefty dash of German not far back.
Take a little time to think things over. Drop that ipod, turn off that DVD. Politicians are getting away with murder whilst the electorate lounges around.
And what are English MPs doing whilst all this is happening, you may ask? Most are riding the gravy train. Because they are never called to account for England.
Because politically England does not exist.
I think there is - but it's one of a number of things working against the people of England in the devolution game.
A few thoughts of mine...
1) The "racist" element...
England is a cosmopolitan country with a very long history. Since the Act of Union with Scotland, England has become absorbed into the bulk of the UK in a way that Scotland and Wales haven't.
For some reason, all the baggage of the old British Empire has been laid at England's door - despite the fact that it was actually a venture of England, Scotland, Wales and the whole of Ireland. And the Scots were disproportionately active in the running of the Empire. The trouble is that the other UK nations have heaped the blame on to England. And the poison has spread abroad.
Ridiculous.
The Empire was a BRITISH venture, in very different times, now judged by many to have been a "very bad thing". Fine. But it's gone. We can only learn the lessons from it, and scapgoating England, with the other nations smugly climbing into their pulpits to denounce us for something they were EQUALLY guilty of, is not on.
2) Celts and Anglo Saxons.
We know that the traditional cultures of England, Scotland and Wales were largely based on traditions handed down from the Celts and Anglo Saxons. Fine. But it sticks in my crop a little when some Scots, Welsh, Irish and "Cornish" folk refer to themselves as "Celts". There is a similar problem with some English people proclaiming themselves "Anglo Saxon". Surely English, Scottish, Irish and Welsh are nationalities - not proclaimations of pure bloodlines?!
Surely you don't have to be WHITE to be English, Scottish, Irish or Welsh?
In the case of the English, people proclaiming themselves "Anglo Saxon" are usually smacked on the snout with TV programmes like "100% English". But the Scots, Welsh and Irish are allowed to describe themselves as "Celts" and nobody says a word. Stinking double standards.
I sometimes get the impression that the people of England are treated as an "impure rabble" by this UK Government - and that is why we have health apartheid, the West Lothian Question etc - and as soon as anybody mentions England or Englishness the Government screeches "RACIST!!" Very odd. But UK PLC and the likes of Gordon Brown feathering his own country's nest must come first.
When Mr Brown rambles on about his plans for "Britain" he's usually talking about England by the way. He has very little authority over domestic policy in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. His own constituents up in Scotland are largely unaffected by his actions. And he isn't democratically accountable to the people of the country he does rule. That's right, England.
Brown's in a flap, he's forcing public buildings in England to fly the Union Flag (they fly their own flags in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) purely for his own ends. He's not out to foster a sense of solidarity in England. Far from it. Divide and rule, that's his game. He's ramming the Union Flag down your throat because he's terrified you may realise what's going on in devolution (for some) Britain.
And what about regional assemblies? These are basically a way of dissolving England into easily-ruled, tinpot regions. The North East, the only area allowed a referendum, voted 78% NO to regionalisation. But it still continues apace. Non-elected, corrupt, money sapping bodies, taking powers from your elected local councils.
3) Who can be English?
English is a nationality and all citizens of England are entitled to be English. England is a country with traditions stretching back centuries and these should not be suppressed as the UK Government is always attempting to do. English culture, like St George's Day, is supposed to be "non-inclusive". Rubbish. That's just the Government trying to brainwash people. The culture of England is as inclusive as its people want it to be. Nobody moving here imagines that they are moving to a country with no history or traditions. It is a cynical ploy by the Government to divide and rule when the screeches of "RACIST!" are heard. I live in an ethnically mixed area, and I can honestly say that the only people I have heard debunking English traditions are white, chattering class, Nu Labour supporting idiots.
And remember whilst you are at it that Nu Labour is NOT Old Labour. Back in the 1980s, I was vehemently anti-Thatcher, a confirmed Socialist. But Nu Labour is NOT a Socialist party. The damage done to the NHS, social care and education in England under Nu Labour would have had us fainting with disbelief back in the 1980s!
And the writers of this blog are all care workers and nurses. We speak from experience. Not Okay when Thatcher tried it, but nowdays people take the high moral ground for voting for Nu Labour, who have done a damned sight worst.
Hypocrites.
To return to "Who Can Be English", I believe that the establishment of an English civic national identity is highly important. Scots and Welsh versions are already being worked on by their national executives.
One of the worst developments of recent years is the rise of the odious BNP. This is happening as that party makes hay with the government's and main opposition parties' skewed and unfair policies. It must be stopped.
So much more I could write...
But remember that it cannot be right that millionaires in Wales don't pay prescription fees, whilst people scrimp and save for them in England.
It cannot be right that public services and the NHS are higher funded in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, via subsidies from England.
It cannot be right that people die in England for want of medication available on the NHS in Scotland.
It cannot be right that unaccountable MPs, including our PM, force legislation onto England that will not affect their own constituents.
It is not only the BNP that is racist. UK politics is heavy with it, all levelled against the people of England.
We do not live in a democracy.
If, after this, you believe that England is getting what it deserves, that it is an evil, corrupt country which has dominated the UK for far too long, then take a closer look at history. Once again, you will see that England is all too often scapegoated for the sins of Britain.
For instance, did you know that Ireland was partitioned under PM David Lloyd George, a Welshman, with a Cabinet stuffed full of Scots?
Blame for the past must be shared.
And England must be allowed parity with the other UK nations - or the so-called Union must end.
By the way, I'm very happy to proclaim myself English and I'm of English/Scots parentage, with a hefty dash of German not far back.
Take a little time to think things over. Drop that ipod, turn off that DVD. Politicians are getting away with murder whilst the electorate lounges around.
And what are English MPs doing whilst all this is happening, you may ask? Most are riding the gravy train. Because they are never called to account for England.
Because politically England does not exist.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Christine Grahame, MSP - Another Liar?
It doesn't really matter how it's achieved, but Scotland is determined to have what is not rightfully Scotland's to have - and Christine Grahame, MSP, is one of the ring leaders.Christine has been misleading the Daily Express concerning the maritime border between England and Scotland. In the 1960s, the border, which pointed upwards in line with the land border and international convention, was tweaked, ceding English North sea oil and gas to Scotland. As we were a "UK" and resources were to be shared equally, it was felt not to matter a jot. The UK Government opted not to consult the English.
Any changes since have not returned the border to its original state, but Christine Grahame is trying to make out that further tweaking in 1999 stole waters from the Scots! This is very rich indeed as that particular tweaking did nothing to restore any where near England's rightful share of the gas and oil.
Ms Grahame is trying to make out that the 1960s alteration, carried out without consulting the English, is the "historic border".
Oh dear.
And the Daily Express believes her.
Oh dear.
It could be that Christine Grahame does not do research. Or it could be that she is a simply a liar.
But whatever she is, she does Scotland's reputation no good at all.
Read Ms Grahame's spinnings on the Daily Express site - here.
UPDATE - RECEIVED, 1/3/08:
Sue Campbell:
Born in England, but more Scottish than day old haggis, Christine Grahame uses her place of birth to try and make out that her actions are justified and that she's truly fair-minded. In reality, she's a conniving anti-English... er... MSP!
The SNP are anxious to use her to front their most dishonest endeavours, because then they can say: "But she was born in England! She's English! She has no axe to grind!"
No she isn't English - and yes she does have an axe to grind. She hates the English. I was born in Scotland and my Dad's a Scot, but believe me nationality's really a state of mind and I'm English!
Berwick-Upon-Tweed: Scots Out To Grab More English Oil And Gas?
It just occurs to us sitting here at WENAP Towers that the disgraceful attempt by the Scottish Parliament to bribe Berwick-Upon-Tweed into joining Scotland's corrupt elite of plenty, could be an attempt to steal more of England's North Sea oil and gas.What happened in the 1960s was remarkable: without a word of consultation with the English, the UK Government moved the maritime border, ensuring that a large amount of English North Sea oil and gas was gifted to the Scots. It was seen as not mattering as we were a "United Kingdom" and resources were supposed to be equally shared.
Now, Alex Salmond makes hay with the border, claims all the North Sea oil and gas for Scotland, and tries to hide the border's tweaking from interested onlookers, going so far as to conceal the facts on "national" UK TV.
The Scottish Parliament's attempts to bribe Berwick-Upon-Tweed (and remember, voters in the TV referendum were voting to become part of Scotland not because they wanted to be Scots, but because they wanted the free care, cancer medications, etc, available in Scotland due to subsidies from England via the Barnett Formula) are probably, no more no less, an attempt to steal more of England's resources. Won't this land grab result in a corresponding maritime border grab?
What a shitty little country Scotland is becoming.
Monday, February 18, 2008
ITV Tonight: Alex Salmond Lies About North Sea Oil
From the CEP News Blog:
The Tonight programme on ITV1 tonight investigated the differences between the funding and treatment of English and Scottish people including a mock referendum in Berwick on Tweed asking whether Berwickers wanted to remain in England or become part of Scotland.
It’s rare to get this kind of documentary on any channel, let alone ITV1 and it was quite well done. The programme concentrated on the spending differences - the Scots get an average of £1,500 per head per year more than the English - and the differences in benefits they get as a result such as not having to pay university top-up fees, getting free cancer treatment that the English aren’t entitled to, free care for the elderly, free prescriptions, etc. And they did it without trying to justify it which is a novelty.
The only downside was that they didn’t counter the tired old argument of “oor oil”. Alex Salmond said - more than once - that Scotland was subsidising Britain with North Sea oil and gas revenues and that it would be unfair to cut public spending in Scotland whilst the UK Treasury (in London, he always makes a point of saying in London) “continues to drain North Sea oil and gas revenues”.
North Sea oil and gas, despite Alex Salmond’s big plans, is not all rightfully Scottish. In the 60’s the maritime border was moved, in contravention of international maritime law, to extend along a line of longtitude instead of being an extension of the land border. The English were not asked if they were happy to cede their waters to Scotland and lose the oil and gas fields contained therein. Devolution for Scotland (but never for England of course) was on the cards back in the 60’s so it is a reasonable assumption that British MPs took this decision in the knowledge that Scotland would claim the waters once it gained fiscal autonomy. Robbing Peter England to pay Paul Scotland.
Read it all here.
Alex Salmond really is a liar of the highest order, but even if what he said were true, it is totally against the ethos of a United Kingdom that resources should be retained by one particular region in this manner. It also shows just how conniving and uncaring the SNP have become.
Salmond is another shameful item to add to an ever increasing list for poor old Scotland. What with Brown this side of the border and Salmond that side, it seems that conniving twisters are holding all the cards in the so-called UK today.
Where does Salmond get his figures from? Even if the maritime border was left in its current incorrect state, not all North Sea Oil and Gas belongs to Scotland, and an article in the Guardian last year stated that even if ALL North Sea Oil and Gas revenues were given to Scotland, the country still would not break even -
Tax revenues from Scotland almost match the country's £49.2bn a year public spending - although only if all North Sea oil and gas revenues are attributed to Edinburgh, a controversial allocation.
Read it all here!
More WENAP material on the subject of North Sea Oil here.
The Tonight programme on ITV1 tonight investigated the differences between the funding and treatment of English and Scottish people including a mock referendum in Berwick on Tweed asking whether Berwickers wanted to remain in England or become part of Scotland.
It’s rare to get this kind of documentary on any channel, let alone ITV1 and it was quite well done. The programme concentrated on the spending differences - the Scots get an average of £1,500 per head per year more than the English - and the differences in benefits they get as a result such as not having to pay university top-up fees, getting free cancer treatment that the English aren’t entitled to, free care for the elderly, free prescriptions, etc. And they did it without trying to justify it which is a novelty.
The only downside was that they didn’t counter the tired old argument of “oor oil”. Alex Salmond said - more than once - that Scotland was subsidising Britain with North Sea oil and gas revenues and that it would be unfair to cut public spending in Scotland whilst the UK Treasury (in London, he always makes a point of saying in London) “continues to drain North Sea oil and gas revenues”.
North Sea oil and gas, despite Alex Salmond’s big plans, is not all rightfully Scottish. In the 60’s the maritime border was moved, in contravention of international maritime law, to extend along a line of longtitude instead of being an extension of the land border. The English were not asked if they were happy to cede their waters to Scotland and lose the oil and gas fields contained therein. Devolution for Scotland (but never for England of course) was on the cards back in the 60’s so it is a reasonable assumption that British MPs took this decision in the knowledge that Scotland would claim the waters once it gained fiscal autonomy. Robbing Peter England to pay Paul Scotland.
Read it all here.
Alex Salmond really is a liar of the highest order, but even if what he said were true, it is totally against the ethos of a United Kingdom that resources should be retained by one particular region in this manner. It also shows just how conniving and uncaring the SNP have become.
Salmond is another shameful item to add to an ever increasing list for poor old Scotland. What with Brown this side of the border and Salmond that side, it seems that conniving twisters are holding all the cards in the so-called UK today.
Where does Salmond get his figures from? Even if the maritime border was left in its current incorrect state, not all North Sea Oil and Gas belongs to Scotland, and an article in the Guardian last year stated that even if ALL North Sea Oil and Gas revenues were given to Scotland, the country still would not break even -
Tax revenues from Scotland almost match the country's £49.2bn a year public spending - although only if all North Sea oil and gas revenues are attributed to Edinburgh, a controversial allocation.
Read it all here!
More WENAP material on the subject of North Sea Oil here.
Campaign For An English Parliament Press Release: The English National Health Service Is Losing Millions To Wales
The Health Service Journal reports that diverging health policies in England and Wales are causing English hospitals to lose millions of pounds.
The Welsh Assembly government has instructed local health boards, including those that use English hospitals, not to pay for elective treatment unless it is authorised in advance. Even then they will only pay a negotiated price rather than the tariff under payment by results, the system by which English hospitals are required to charge, although cross-border agreements have established that the Welsh commissioners should pay in this way.
Separation of the nations of the UK by governance, called devolution, constantly works against the interests of England. Funding across the UK, decided by the British government, ensures that England (£6,762) gets the lowest funding per head and Wales (£7,666) is more generously funded. The Welsh Assembly Government has used this subsidy, paid for by English taxpayers, to abolish prescription charges but refuses to pay its due to the financially strapped English Health Service that its citizens use.
Scilla Cullen Chairman of the Campaign for an English Parliament asks “how many English patients’ health is being put at risk by the actions of the Welsh Commissioners?” and “When will so-called English MPs fight against this constitutional discrimination against their constituents”
The only way this discrimination can be addressed is by a dedicated Parliament for England.
End of Press Release.
For more details and added comment contact:
Michael Knowles: Head of CEP Media Union
Tel: 01260 271139 Email: michael-knowles@tiscali.co.uk
or
Scilla Cullen, CEP Chairman,
Tel: 01438 83315 Email: scilla.cullen@thecep.org.uk
The Welsh Assembly government has instructed local health boards, including those that use English hospitals, not to pay for elective treatment unless it is authorised in advance. Even then they will only pay a negotiated price rather than the tariff under payment by results, the system by which English hospitals are required to charge, although cross-border agreements have established that the Welsh commissioners should pay in this way.
Separation of the nations of the UK by governance, called devolution, constantly works against the interests of England. Funding across the UK, decided by the British government, ensures that England (£6,762) gets the lowest funding per head and Wales (£7,666) is more generously funded. The Welsh Assembly Government has used this subsidy, paid for by English taxpayers, to abolish prescription charges but refuses to pay its due to the financially strapped English Health Service that its citizens use.
Scilla Cullen Chairman of the Campaign for an English Parliament asks “how many English patients’ health is being put at risk by the actions of the Welsh Commissioners?” and “When will so-called English MPs fight against this constitutional discrimination against their constituents”
The only way this discrimination can be addressed is by a dedicated Parliament for England.
End of Press Release.
For more details and added comment contact:
Michael Knowles: Head of CEP Media Union
Tel: 01260 271139 Email: michael-knowles@tiscali.co.uk
or
Scilla Cullen, CEP Chairman,
Tel: 01438 83315 Email: scilla.cullen@thecep.org.uk
Unlock Democracy? As Far As England Is Concerned, Let's Keep It Locked, Says Peter Facey
"Are you a Celtic nationalist? Ooh, may I lick your bottom? You're English? Well, you can get stuffed, you mongrel!"Peter Facey of Unlock Democracy:
I don’t see why central government, whether UK or English, should control issues that are local or regional in nature.
Basically, Mr Facey sees regionalisation of England at the behest of Scots and Welsh MPs as something worthy of prioritising. A representative national parliament for England? No, not important.
But surely democracy is about representation, surely a representative government should be overseeing England's future internal governance? Not important, says the surprisingly undemocratic Mr Facey.
However, in good old fascist "Our Kingdom" style, Mr Facey pauses to lick the arses of "pure Celtic" nationalists:
"I personally have never argued that a region like London or the North East is the same as Wales or Scotland, because they are part of a wider nation. With the exception of Cornwall none of the local identities in England are national in character..."
I personally have friends in Cornwall who view themselves as English and Cornwall as a county, Mr Facey. Don't their views count? Are you just concerned to get a perceived persecuted minority on your side, so that Mr So Called Pure-Celt of the Lizard will applaud you?
Cornwall needs a referendum to decide its future, as does the whole of England in fact.
Mr Facey is keen to see things are good locally. But how can they be when the decisions about how things are organised locally are out of our politicians' hands? When "our" politicians are never called to account for their actions as regards England anyway?
And what about health apartheid? The West Lothian Question? The Barnett Formula?
What motivates people like Peter Facey? What gives?
Unlock Democracy? Quite the reverse as far as England is concerned.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Berwick-Upon-Tweed Votes To Join The Scots Elite - And Shits On England
Residents in the English town of Berwick-upon-Tweed have voted in a TV poll to"re-join Scotland".
The town has changed nations at least thirteen times in the dim-and-distant past but has been part of England for centuries.
To quote the BBC online article:
According to a poll by a TV company, 60% of those who responded wanted the town to be administered by Scotland.
Better financed public services, including free personal health care for the elderly, were the main reasons.
The injustice being done to England matters not. There's no sense of loyalty or solidarity. Let's go and join the elite, say the fine, upstanding folk of Berwick. Fine. Goodbye, Berwick-Upon-Tweed. The current unfair circumstances cannot last much longer and the dear wee town may soon find itself facing a very different situation in Scotland as England fights its way to equality or the UK splits up.
Whatever happens, Berwick's "I'm all right, Jack" attitude should not be forgotten and any vote carried out to join Scotland should be binding for at least a century.
The town has changed nations at least thirteen times in the dim-and-distant past but has been part of England for centuries.
To quote the BBC online article:
According to a poll by a TV company, 60% of those who responded wanted the town to be administered by Scotland.
Better financed public services, including free personal health care for the elderly, were the main reasons.
The injustice being done to England matters not. There's no sense of loyalty or solidarity. Let's go and join the elite, say the fine, upstanding folk of Berwick. Fine. Goodbye, Berwick-Upon-Tweed. The current unfair circumstances cannot last much longer and the dear wee town may soon find itself facing a very different situation in Scotland as England fights its way to equality or the UK splits up.
Whatever happens, Berwick's "I'm all right, Jack" attitude should not be forgotten and any vote carried out to join Scotland should be binding for at least a century.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Monday, February 11, 2008
CEP Press Release: England Outraged By Scottish Attempt To Grab English Territory
The members of the Campaign for an English Parliament will resist with might and main the attempt being made by the Scottish Nationalist Party to grab Berwick on Tweed which has been part of England since the 13th century - over 700 years- and make it part of Scotland.
Scottish Nationalist Member of the Scottish Parliament Christine Grahame supported by fellow SNP members is lodging a vote in the Scottish Parliament in support of this land-grab.
Already the Scottish Parliament has claimed rights over all English rivers such as the River Till in Northumberland which flow into the River Tweed, even though the Tweed is the boundary river between the two nations of England and Scotland and belongs to neither. And the Scottish Parliament has been able to move southwards the boundary between England and Scotland which till devolution has always run along the very centre of the Solway Firth. To date the United Kingdom Government with its Scottish Prime Minister and Scottish Chancellor of the Exchequer has done nothing to stop these successive land grabs.
"The Scots are stirring up a hornets' nest of real trouble within the United Kingdom with these policies. And we will take them on," stated Scilla Cullen, Chairman of the Campaign. "The people of England will not put up with any more of it. Already Wales has been given the English county of Monmouthshire and even a part of the city of Chester in what is the county of Cheshire. It is already intolerable that devolution for Scotland has granted it huge benefits denied to England such as free university education, free personal care for the elderly, free prescriptions, as much as £1500 more spent on each Scot per annum than on any person in England and access to cancer drugs not obtainable in England. What the Scots are doing is sowing the seeds of real anger and dissension within the Union. They are sowing the wind. If they try to grab Berwick, it will be the Union that will reap the whirlwind.'
Scottish Nationalist Member of the Scottish Parliament Christine Grahame supported by fellow SNP members is lodging a vote in the Scottish Parliament in support of this land-grab.
Already the Scottish Parliament has claimed rights over all English rivers such as the River Till in Northumberland which flow into the River Tweed, even though the Tweed is the boundary river between the two nations of England and Scotland and belongs to neither. And the Scottish Parliament has been able to move southwards the boundary between England and Scotland which till devolution has always run along the very centre of the Solway Firth. To date the United Kingdom Government with its Scottish Prime Minister and Scottish Chancellor of the Exchequer has done nothing to stop these successive land grabs.
"The Scots are stirring up a hornets' nest of real trouble within the United Kingdom with these policies. And we will take them on," stated Scilla Cullen, Chairman of the Campaign. "The people of England will not put up with any more of it. Already Wales has been given the English county of Monmouthshire and even a part of the city of Chester in what is the county of Cheshire. It is already intolerable that devolution for Scotland has granted it huge benefits denied to England such as free university education, free personal care for the elderly, free prescriptions, as much as £1500 more spent on each Scot per annum than on any person in England and access to cancer drugs not obtainable in England. What the Scots are doing is sowing the seeds of real anger and dissension within the Union. They are sowing the wind. If they try to grab Berwick, it will be the Union that will reap the whirlwind.'
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Daily Mail Deceives Public Over Caroline Flint's Role
I noticed whilst reading this Daily Mail article by James Chapman -
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=512354&in_page_id=1770&in_page_id=1770&expand=true#StartComments
that the paper has not mentioned ANYWHERE that Caroline Flint's authority is not UK-wide - that she is only housing minister for England.
Several people that I know of wrote to the Mail yesterday pointing this out, as I did myself, but none of the e-mails have been published. Today I have sent this:
Ms Flint is not responsible for housing policy in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, which have their own devolved governments/assemblies. So why isn't this pointed out? This newspaper's staff are either trying to deceive the public into believing that devolution has made no difference, and so bolster up New Labour's Unionist lies, or your so-called "journalists" are simply thick.
Whatever the truth, this article is garbage, the fact that Caroline Flint only has control of England's housing should be pointed out as a matter of course.
I have written before with this point, but you haven't publish it, and I am now advertising that fact on my blog.
It really is time the corrupt British Press was MADE to tell the truth about devolution.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=512354&in_page_id=1770&in_page_id=1770&expand=true#StartComments
that the paper has not mentioned ANYWHERE that Caroline Flint's authority is not UK-wide - that she is only housing minister for England.
Several people that I know of wrote to the Mail yesterday pointing this out, as I did myself, but none of the e-mails have been published. Today I have sent this:
Ms Flint is not responsible for housing policy in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, which have their own devolved governments/assemblies. So why isn't this pointed out? This newspaper's staff are either trying to deceive the public into believing that devolution has made no difference, and so bolster up New Labour's Unionist lies, or your so-called "journalists" are simply thick.
Whatever the truth, this article is garbage, the fact that Caroline Flint only has control of England's housing should be pointed out as a matter of course.
I have written before with this point, but you haven't publish it, and I am now advertising that fact on my blog.
It really is time the corrupt British Press was MADE to tell the truth about devolution.
Supporting People (Communities and Local Government)
The recent outrageous comments from Caroline Flint, UK Government Housing Minister responsible for housing in England only, has set us thinking. The most terrible things are happening to social housing across England. Take the vulnerable: all involved on this blog have worked in registered community homes for people with histories of mental illness and learning disabilities. In recent years, tenants of these homes were sold a downright lie by this government: become deregistered, leave the safety of being a Social Services monitored establishment, transfer to the auspices of a government agency called “Supporting People”, and you shall have more, lots more, financial input, including staffing, they were told.These people are highly vulnerable and were basically told a whopping great lie.
Many community homes for people with histories of mental illness and learning disabilities are now falling into disrepair as maintainence budgets are slashed; staffing hours too have been cut - in some cases up to 50%, and vulnerable adults used to and IN NEED OF 24 hour staff support must now spend the night with no staff on the premises.
Supporting People covers its actions well, pretending to be interested in “encouraging independence”. All of us at WENAP have been involved in social care work since the early 1980s and that has always been the aim. But under Supporting People we find this “aim” is now a thin cover for savage cutbacks.
Staff are being forced to take on duties above and beyond their training, salary scale and job descriptions as social care agencies compete for tenders on a vicious open market where the cheapest bid wins - and to hell with standards.
And staff have it written into their contracts that any speaking out will face disciplinary action and dismissal.
And all this has happened not under Thatcher, not under Major, but under Blair and Brown.
As old Labour voters and care workers we are bloody angry.
Visit Supporting People - http://www.spkweb.org.uk/
We’re absolutely committed to exposing this corrupt UK government agency, which is wreaking havoc across England, for what it is. You may never have heard of it before, but now that you have please keep your eyes and your ears open. Do not believe the facade. If you have a relative or friend in a social care home provided by a housing society or local authority, please monitor standards. Question the staff and management closely about anything you are unhappy about. Encourage your friend/relative to speak up. Was 24 hour "sleep-in" cover previously provided by staff? Has it been cut or is it about to be? In your opinion, are the people in this home of the state of mind/physical ability to be left alone over night?
What about decoration/maintenance/cleaning standards/furnishings?
Many of the people living in these homes have been institutionalised for long periods of their lives and are unused to speaking up for themselves, and so this government, via Supporting People, is making hay.
Please join us in fighting to restore decent levels of care and support to those in need of it in community homes across England and bring about an end to Supporting People.
Shout loud about it. Ask questions. refuse to be misled. This is one of our anti-English UK Government's harbingers of evil which has so far managed to slip underneath the search beams of those seeking justice and parity for England in the modern day UK.
Let's change that.
Now.
Please.
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Caroline Flint
Caroline Flint, new Housing Minister in her "I Love The 1960s" trousers. She's another of NuLabour's smug twisters and liars. They've got a million of 'em!Has everybody seen THIS?
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=512354&in_page_id=1770
Whatever you think of the concept (we personally think it stinks) you have to admire Ms Flint’s brazen attitude in making out that her remit covers the whole of the UK and that she is seeking a “national consensus”. Meanwhile, we must pity the moronic tendencies of Adam Sampson, chief executive of Shelter, who seems unaware that it is not “Britain’s unemployed” who are the subject of this latest proposal, but ENGLAND’S.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
BBC Propaganda - Again
Over at the Waendal Journal, Tony has been a witness to a slab of BBC propaganda, this time from Mark Easton, "Home Editor", happily giving his own opinion regarding recent record levels of immigration on air. Read it here.
Fiona this morning caught part of the feature on that issue - hard-pressed maternity services struggling to cope with the recent huge rise in immigration, being covered on BBC breakfast TV. Fiona heard a female reporter saying something along the lines of: "It's ironic that without migrant workers the hospitals would not be staffed."
Chris Abbott has written of his concerns about migrant workers being used as slave labour, and as all three of us here sometimes work in nursing roles in NHS run hospitals in England, we can definitely add that this latest BBC statement is yet another piece of spin and propaganda.
The reason for high numbers of immigrant workers in jobs in the English NHS is that the work pays so appallingly, and after many years of cut-backs, which have accelerated beyond belief under New Labour, nursing and care work are no longer an option for many seeking a satisfying career.
So, people just arriving here are used and abused to keep up staff numbers.
The BBC increasingly beggars belief.
Fiona this morning caught part of the feature on that issue - hard-pressed maternity services struggling to cope with the recent huge rise in immigration, being covered on BBC breakfast TV. Fiona heard a female reporter saying something along the lines of: "It's ironic that without migrant workers the hospitals would not be staffed."
Chris Abbott has written of his concerns about migrant workers being used as slave labour, and as all three of us here sometimes work in nursing roles in NHS run hospitals in England, we can definitely add that this latest BBC statement is yet another piece of spin and propaganda.
The reason for high numbers of immigrant workers in jobs in the English NHS is that the work pays so appallingly, and after many years of cut-backs, which have accelerated beyond belief under New Labour, nursing and care work are no longer an option for many seeking a satisfying career.
So, people just arriving here are used and abused to keep up staff numbers.
The BBC increasingly beggars belief.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
ENGLAND VICTIMISED YET AGAIN BY UNITED KINGDOM GOVERNMENT
Campaign for an English Parliament Press Release: Monday, 28 Jan 2008
The Council tax in England will be going up in April by just under 5%, more than twice the limit on pay increases being imposed by the Union Government. The average Council Tax bill in England will go up by £115 per month. Meanwhile in Scotland the proposal of the Scottish Parliament under its Scottish National Party leadership is to freeze council tax, and for that the overwhelming majority of Scottish councils are fully in support.
The injustice to England since devolution just goes on and on. In addition to having itself acknowledged under the Union Government as a distinct nation enjoying Home Rule Scotland now enjoys free eye care, free dental check-ups, free access to cancer drugs, and free personal care free travel countryside for the elderly. With a Scottish Prime Minister and a Scottish Chancellor of the Exechequer Scotland is getting benefits denied to England,while it is the English taxpayer who is paying for them.
The injustice does not stop there. Despite the council tax increase local services are being cut back. The Union Government under Brown and Darling, while making more and more demands up local councils even as the cost of existing services and the council’s wage bill increase, is not increasing central government subsidy in line with increased costs.
‘Little wonder a recent Yougov poll found that the Council tax is the most unpopular tax of all. ‘67% of people in England resent it more than any other’.’, says Veronica Newman, secretary of the Campaign for an English Parliament. ‘The way England is being victimised just has to stop. The people of England cannot just be expected to pay for the benefits of devolution which Scotland is getting while getting none of them themselves and no parliament of their own either. The people of England should be able to decide for themselves how their money is to be spent. It’s time England had a patriotic government with patriotic MPs just as Scotland has.’
The Council tax in England will be going up in April by just under 5%, more than twice the limit on pay increases being imposed by the Union Government. The average Council Tax bill in England will go up by £115 per month. Meanwhile in Scotland the proposal of the Scottish Parliament under its Scottish National Party leadership is to freeze council tax, and for that the overwhelming majority of Scottish councils are fully in support.
The injustice to England since devolution just goes on and on. In addition to having itself acknowledged under the Union Government as a distinct nation enjoying Home Rule Scotland now enjoys free eye care, free dental check-ups, free access to cancer drugs, and free personal care free travel countryside for the elderly. With a Scottish Prime Minister and a Scottish Chancellor of the Exechequer Scotland is getting benefits denied to England,while it is the English taxpayer who is paying for them.
The injustice does not stop there. Despite the council tax increase local services are being cut back. The Union Government under Brown and Darling, while making more and more demands up local councils even as the cost of existing services and the council’s wage bill increase, is not increasing central government subsidy in line with increased costs.
‘Little wonder a recent Yougov poll found that the Council tax is the most unpopular tax of all. ‘67% of people in England resent it more than any other’.’, says Veronica Newman, secretary of the Campaign for an English Parliament. ‘The way England is being victimised just has to stop. The people of England cannot just be expected to pay for the benefits of devolution which Scotland is getting while getting none of them themselves and no parliament of their own either. The people of England should be able to decide for themselves how their money is to be spent. It’s time England had a patriotic government with patriotic MPs just as Scotland has.’
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Yellow Swordfish: If In Doubt Blame The '80s!
When Yellow Swordfish finds a car parked almost in the middle of the road, he blames the 1980s! Yes, the selfish '80s, you know, that quaint decade of inner city riots, CND marches, environmental protest, Red Wedge, etc, now reviled as the cause of all modern ills.
In the early ’70s, my neighbour used to park his car on the pavement, completely blocking our gate. In fact, there were cars on the pavement all over our road, blocking pram, pushchair and wheelchair users and forcing them onto the road. And this was 1972!! What does Yellow Swordfish blame it on? Ted Heath? The 1970s 1950s revival? Sorry, the ’80s were crap, but they just weren’t that influential as to be able to extend their influence backwards. Until we start looking to now and ceasing the priggish, hypocritical nonsense about the ’80s, we’re going nowhere.
I was vehemently anti-Thatcher - but that's the difference between the '80s and now, people were vehement then, not always looking to blame the past and write a load of harping nonsense!
Yellow Swordfish writes of more "innocent times" before the '80s. I do hope he's not referring to the '70s - one look at the media of that decade reveals one very sorry truth: the '70s and '80s go hand-in-hand as possibly the two naffest decades of the twentieth century - the so-called '70s revival has been bolstered up to the hilt with '60s and '80s pop culture, and the actually rather non-influential '80s, complete with pantomime hair and daft clothes and pantomime "boom" era, have made such a wonderfully convenient scapegoat for the woes of now.
Including bizarre people parking their cars in the middle of the road, it seems.
MARIA
In the early ’70s, my neighbour used to park his car on the pavement, completely blocking our gate. In fact, there were cars on the pavement all over our road, blocking pram, pushchair and wheelchair users and forcing them onto the road. And this was 1972!! What does Yellow Swordfish blame it on? Ted Heath? The 1970s 1950s revival? Sorry, the ’80s were crap, but they just weren’t that influential as to be able to extend their influence backwards. Until we start looking to now and ceasing the priggish, hypocritical nonsense about the ’80s, we’re going nowhere.
I was vehemently anti-Thatcher - but that's the difference between the '80s and now, people were vehement then, not always looking to blame the past and write a load of harping nonsense!
Yellow Swordfish writes of more "innocent times" before the '80s. I do hope he's not referring to the '70s - one look at the media of that decade reveals one very sorry truth: the '70s and '80s go hand-in-hand as possibly the two naffest decades of the twentieth century - the so-called '70s revival has been bolstered up to the hilt with '60s and '80s pop culture, and the actually rather non-influential '80s, complete with pantomime hair and daft clothes and pantomime "boom" era, have made such a wonderfully convenient scapegoat for the woes of now.
Including bizarre people parking their cars in the middle of the road, it seems.
MARIA
Nick Clegg Lets Down England
CEP Press Release: Thursday, 24 Jan 2008
Nick Clegg, the new Lib Dem leader, has hardly been in office when he has already done a U-turn on his promise to make free personal care for all the elderly in England part of the Party’s policy programme. He came into the party leadership saying he supported Scottish-style free care for all elderly citizens regardless of income. Now he’s dropped it. Outlining plans for what he is calling ‘a people’s health service’ in preparation for the Lib Dem Spring Conference in March in Liverpool, he is now proposing that the elderly match government input pound for pound, unlike in Scotland where the Scottish Parliament pays the lot.
‘The injustice inflicted upon the people of England by devolution for Scotland and Wales,’ says Michael Knowles member of the National Council of the Campaign for an English Parliament, ‘has reached incredible proportions. Elderly people in Scotland get free personal health care, not one single elderly person in England. Everyone in Wales gets free prescriptions. People in England have to pay £6:85 per prescription item. Scotland and Wales have home rule. England not only does not have home rule but it is the people of England who are paying for all the benefits Scotland and Wales are getting out of having their own Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly. Each English taxpayer pays an extra £281 each year in income tax to subsidise the extra benefits Scotland is getting within the Union.’
Nick Clegg, the new Lib Dem leader, has hardly been in office when he has already done a U-turn on his promise to make free personal care for all the elderly in England part of the Party’s policy programme. He came into the party leadership saying he supported Scottish-style free care for all elderly citizens regardless of income. Now he’s dropped it. Outlining plans for what he is calling ‘a people’s health service’ in preparation for the Lib Dem Spring Conference in March in Liverpool, he is now proposing that the elderly match government input pound for pound, unlike in Scotland where the Scottish Parliament pays the lot.
‘The injustice inflicted upon the people of England by devolution for Scotland and Wales,’ says Michael Knowles member of the National Council of the Campaign for an English Parliament, ‘has reached incredible proportions. Elderly people in Scotland get free personal health care, not one single elderly person in England. Everyone in Wales gets free prescriptions. People in England have to pay £6:85 per prescription item. Scotland and Wales have home rule. England not only does not have home rule but it is the people of England who are paying for all the benefits Scotland and Wales are getting out of having their own Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly. Each English taxpayer pays an extra £281 each year in income tax to subsidise the extra benefits Scotland is getting within the Union.’
Monday, January 21, 2008
Our Kingdom: The Trouble With Fascists
The mind boggles. “Our Kingdom”, which has published some of the most ghastly, anti-English drivel known to humankind, has moved to smack a pathetic fascist on the nose with the headline English fascist.
Of course, the e-mail writer was wrong, but if we published articles about every drop of anti-English drivel we receive at WENAP, it would run and run. There would be about two dozen articles on this blog entitled "Scots/Welsh Fascist" and a couple entitled "Cornish Fascist". We have received e-mails about how pure the "Celts" are and how mongrel are the English!
Nobody should condone fascism. And yet publishing material about how England doesn’t deserve equality because it apparently has no moral vision and articles presenting its history in a purely negative light is all fine and dandy for those lovely upstanding folks at Our Kingdom.
Our rights to make decisions about how our country is governed, to have equality in health care, democratic representation, etc are poison to Our Kingdom. We have been stunned at some of the material they have published.
And what's all this bizarre waffle about the "Celts" and "Celtic nations" which the site happily lets pass? Surely, English, Welsh and Scots are nationalities, not races/pure ethnicities?
We thinks there are more than a few British anti-English/England fascists behind the scenes at Our Kingdom. It shocks us that they cannot see their own faults.
Two wrongs don’t make a right!
Drew and Fiona (in Chris Abbott's absence)
Of course, the e-mail writer was wrong, but if we published articles about every drop of anti-English drivel we receive at WENAP, it would run and run. There would be about two dozen articles on this blog entitled "Scots/Welsh Fascist" and a couple entitled "Cornish Fascist". We have received e-mails about how pure the "Celts" are and how mongrel are the English!
Nobody should condone fascism. And yet publishing material about how England doesn’t deserve equality because it apparently has no moral vision and articles presenting its history in a purely negative light is all fine and dandy for those lovely upstanding folks at Our Kingdom.
Our rights to make decisions about how our country is governed, to have equality in health care, democratic representation, etc are poison to Our Kingdom. We have been stunned at some of the material they have published.
And what's all this bizarre waffle about the "Celts" and "Celtic nations" which the site happily lets pass? Surely, English, Welsh and Scots are nationalities, not races/pure ethnicities?
We thinks there are more than a few British anti-English/England fascists behind the scenes at Our Kingdom. It shocks us that they cannot see their own faults.
Two wrongs don’t make a right!
Drew and Fiona (in Chris Abbott's absence)
Chris Abbott On Holiday
Hi, folks! Chris Abbott is off to Brighton for a couple of weeks, so we'll be holding the fort here at WENAP Towers. We're a bit rusty, but raring to go!
Drew & Fiona
Drew & Fiona
Friday, January 18, 2008
David Marquand
Over at Our Kingdom, Mr Marquand claims that England must have a "moral vision" before qualifying for democratic rule. By that, he means converting to his own warped version of "socialism". "Think as I do". Mr Maquand then applauds the Scots and Welsh for their own visions.
Rubbish. The Scottish and Welsh nationalist movements are riddled with misconceptions of the past and Anglophobia.
The current set up is racist, pure and simple. The last time I checked (back in the days of the CRE) racism could be on grounds of nationality! Just think, people can die in England for want of medication available on the NHS in Scotland, the English public services and NHS are underfunded, other UK MPs foist legislation onto England, people in England scrape together money for prescriptions available free to millionaires in Wales.
It’s spite - some kind of “pay back” for perceived injustices in the past. These “injustices” are far from clear cut when closely examined. It’s simply that the perceived wrongs of “Britain” are heaped upon England.
There is no noble vision. It is a racist elite (the pure “Celt” thing is terrifying and inaccurate) ruling a “great unwashed”. That people cannot see the racist element in all this worries me intensely.
England must have its own parliament.
David Marquand is an arrogant racist, out to butter his own parsnips in seeking to ensure that the current undemocratic and corrupt system of governance is upheld.
Rubbish. The Scottish and Welsh nationalist movements are riddled with misconceptions of the past and Anglophobia.
The current set up is racist, pure and simple. The last time I checked (back in the days of the CRE) racism could be on grounds of nationality! Just think, people can die in England for want of medication available on the NHS in Scotland, the English public services and NHS are underfunded, other UK MPs foist legislation onto England, people in England scrape together money for prescriptions available free to millionaires in Wales.
It’s spite - some kind of “pay back” for perceived injustices in the past. These “injustices” are far from clear cut when closely examined. It’s simply that the perceived wrongs of “Britain” are heaped upon England.
There is no noble vision. It is a racist elite (the pure “Celt” thing is terrifying and inaccurate) ruling a “great unwashed”. That people cannot see the racist element in all this worries me intensely.
England must have its own parliament.
David Marquand is an arrogant racist, out to butter his own parsnips in seeking to ensure that the current undemocratic and corrupt system of governance is upheld.
England Excluded From Affairs Of The Union
CEP Press Release: Tuesday, 15 Jan 2008
Today January 15th behind closed doors in a room in Portcullis House in Westminster in London, England’s capital, six of Scotland’s MPs and MSPs will meet to decide what further powers to give to the Scottish Parliament. England, which makes up 80% of the Union population, has 550 of its 650 MPs and contributes 85% of its wealth, is being totally excluded from the discussions. No English MP is invited. This will be their second meeting, the first was in November of last year
The Scottish Six are: Des Browne Labour MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun and (part-time) Secretary of State for Scotland, Alistair Carmichael Lib-Dem MP for Orkney and Shetlands, David Mundell Conservative MP for Dumfrieshire, Clydesdale and Tweesdale, Wendy Alexander Labour MSP for Paisley South, Annabel Goldie Conservative MSP for the West of Scotland and Nicol Stephen Lib-Den MSP for Aberdeen South.
They are meeting in a state of intense inter-party anxiety. One thing unites them, their opposition to the Scottish National Party. The latest You-Gov poll for the Scottish Daily Express has put the SNP nine points ahead of labour in the constituency vote, and of course streets ahead of the Lib-Dem and the Tory parties. They meet under the banner of defence of the Union. Their principal concern however is the survival of their parties in Scotland.
In 1997 the Labour Party led by Scottish MPs Gordon Brown, Tony Blair, Donald Dewar, Robin Cook and Des Browne was convinced that a devolved Scottish Parliament would kill off the SNP for good. It did not. The Scottish First Minister is Alex Salmond. They believed that giving to Scotland complete power over all its internal affairs such as health and education would stop the rise of Scottish nationalism in its tracks. It achieved the exact opposite. They believed that keeping the power of Scottish MPs in the Union Parliament to legislate in every single matter for England while excluding English MPs from any say in Scotland’s internal affairs would go unnoticed by the English people. But the last ten years of devolution has dramatically witnessed the biggest rise in English patriotism ever. In addition the resentment of the English people against the rampant injustice inflicted by the 1997 legislation upon them is now filling every MP’s postbag. 58% of English people want Scotland to go independent, 72% want their own separate English Parliament.
The Scottish Six are meeting behind closed doors, no English representation allowed, to decide what extra powers to give to the Scottish Parliament to keep the SNP at bay. What lessons they might have learned over the past ten years are their business. What is England’s business however is the knowledge that these Scottish MPs think they can play fast and loose with United Kingdom constitutional matters without consultation with England which is 80% of the Union. What is England’s business is the sheer brass of these Scottish MPs giving even more powers to Scotland and even less say for England in Scottish matters while keeping for themselves the right to legislate for England in every single thing.
‘The next ten years,’ says Mrs Scilla Cullen, Chairman of the Campaign for an English Parliament, ‘will see all this put right. The constitution of the United Kingdom cannot be made to serve just the interests of Scotland’.
Today January 15th behind closed doors in a room in Portcullis House in Westminster in London, England’s capital, six of Scotland’s MPs and MSPs will meet to decide what further powers to give to the Scottish Parliament. England, which makes up 80% of the Union population, has 550 of its 650 MPs and contributes 85% of its wealth, is being totally excluded from the discussions. No English MP is invited. This will be their second meeting, the first was in November of last year
The Scottish Six are: Des Browne Labour MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun and (part-time) Secretary of State for Scotland, Alistair Carmichael Lib-Dem MP for Orkney and Shetlands, David Mundell Conservative MP for Dumfrieshire, Clydesdale and Tweesdale, Wendy Alexander Labour MSP for Paisley South, Annabel Goldie Conservative MSP for the West of Scotland and Nicol Stephen Lib-Den MSP for Aberdeen South.
They are meeting in a state of intense inter-party anxiety. One thing unites them, their opposition to the Scottish National Party. The latest You-Gov poll for the Scottish Daily Express has put the SNP nine points ahead of labour in the constituency vote, and of course streets ahead of the Lib-Dem and the Tory parties. They meet under the banner of defence of the Union. Their principal concern however is the survival of their parties in Scotland.
In 1997 the Labour Party led by Scottish MPs Gordon Brown, Tony Blair, Donald Dewar, Robin Cook and Des Browne was convinced that a devolved Scottish Parliament would kill off the SNP for good. It did not. The Scottish First Minister is Alex Salmond. They believed that giving to Scotland complete power over all its internal affairs such as health and education would stop the rise of Scottish nationalism in its tracks. It achieved the exact opposite. They believed that keeping the power of Scottish MPs in the Union Parliament to legislate in every single matter for England while excluding English MPs from any say in Scotland’s internal affairs would go unnoticed by the English people. But the last ten years of devolution has dramatically witnessed the biggest rise in English patriotism ever. In addition the resentment of the English people against the rampant injustice inflicted by the 1997 legislation upon them is now filling every MP’s postbag. 58% of English people want Scotland to go independent, 72% want their own separate English Parliament.
The Scottish Six are meeting behind closed doors, no English representation allowed, to decide what extra powers to give to the Scottish Parliament to keep the SNP at bay. What lessons they might have learned over the past ten years are their business. What is England’s business however is the knowledge that these Scottish MPs think they can play fast and loose with United Kingdom constitutional matters without consultation with England which is 80% of the Union. What is England’s business is the sheer brass of these Scottish MPs giving even more powers to Scotland and even less say for England in Scottish matters while keeping for themselves the right to legislate for England in every single thing.
‘The next ten years,’ says Mrs Scilla Cullen, Chairman of the Campaign for an English Parliament, ‘will see all this put right. The constitution of the United Kingdom cannot be made to serve just the interests of Scotland’.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Gordon Brown Dictates Nuclear Power Stations For England, But His Own Constituents In Scotland Are Not Affected...
Since 2006, England has lived under threat of the imposition of a new generation of nuclear power stations being built across the country. It was bad enough when Blair, a PM elected in an English constituency, was leading the call, with the knowledge that Scotland, his homeland, would not be having them. It was bad enough when Alastair Darling, an MP elected in a Scottish constituency, was announced as being the man to "oversee the details". And I was stunned when it was announced laws would be changed in England to help prevent Local Authorities and environmental protesters being heard.But Gordon Brown, our unelected PM, whose constituents up in Scotland will be unaffected by the new generation of plants, shows incredible arrogance in trying to push the plans through.
Take a look at the BBC.
This is truly shocking.
Personally, I am not in favour of nuclear power. The benefits may be great when all goes well, but side effects like leukemia pockets and the danger of a nuclear accident, outweigh the advantages to my mind.
But if a new generation of English nuclear power stations was the democratic will of the majority of people in England, and this was proven, I would be a lot happier.
Some say that the English WOULD vote for a new generation of nuclear power plants.
Fine. But they MUST be given all the facts and the OPPORTUNITY to decide.
More and more the Scottish Raj is showing just how arrogant and, I believe, unhinged its members are. The Raj's disregard for democracy in England on a number of fronts is sick, nothing more, nothing less. More and more so-called English MPs and the so-called "opposition" parties are showing just how anti-English or apathetic they are.
I make no apology for including again the Times Chernobyl cover from 1986. Nuclear power is a serious business.
The people of England must be allowed to decide.
See my 2006 post on the subject here.
Friday, January 04, 2008
The Scot-Brit Rulers Of England
Interesting times. UK PLC takes precedence over equality for the people of England, David Heath, MP, from Nick Clegg's brave "new" Liberal Democrats Party, has asserted, NO English Parliament (the majority appear to want it? Well TOUGH!!) and Gordon Brown has announced an NHS Constitution - but ONLY for England, although he has tried not to mention the fact. His own constituents in his Scottish homeland will not be affected one jot by what he does. And it never seems to be mentioned that health outside of England is far better funded.
As the Scot-Brit establishment works to keep England dissolved and the English under the thumb, as English MPs lick arse (have you seen Jack Straw's brown neck?) and ride the gravy train, Gordy is intriguingly referring to "responsibilities" before one qualifies for NHS treatment in England. This will not apply elsewhere. Having free marketed the health and social care services in England (ever heard of an odious Government agency called "Supporting People", which promises vulnerable adults in supported housing schemes across England much if they become de-registered, then savagely slashes staffing and other budgets to keep things "competitive", leaving people with histories of mental illness and institutionalisation to basically fend for themselves for long hours, particularly at night?), Nu Labour now intends to see that the people of England DESERVE NHS treatment.
If not, what? If you're too fat, used to/do smoke, etc, are a drug addict, what then? What's the message from the Scottish Raj at Westminster? "Drop dead, sassenach bastard!" seems to be the answer.
As the Scot-Brit establishment works to keep England dissolved and the English under the thumb, as English MPs lick arse (have you seen Jack Straw's brown neck?) and ride the gravy train, Gordy is intriguingly referring to "responsibilities" before one qualifies for NHS treatment in England. This will not apply elsewhere. Having free marketed the health and social care services in England (ever heard of an odious Government agency called "Supporting People", which promises vulnerable adults in supported housing schemes across England much if they become de-registered, then savagely slashes staffing and other budgets to keep things "competitive", leaving people with histories of mental illness and institutionalisation to basically fend for themselves for long hours, particularly at night?), Nu Labour now intends to see that the people of England DESERVE NHS treatment.
If not, what? If you're too fat, used to/do smoke, etc, are a drug addict, what then? What's the message from the Scottish Raj at Westminster? "Drop dead, sassenach bastard!" seems to be the answer.
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