Comments on: Give us a referendum on leaving the UK and establishing England as a separate country with its own parliament

By: T. R. Spratt

T. R. Spratt — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:32:50 +0000

the UK is a union; it is not a federation. at the end of the 19th century, the Liberals toyed with turning the UK into a federation, but with Irish Home Rule the need as it was perceived disappeared.
if the UK were reconstituted as a federation, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland would be separately represented in a federal parliament, with each nation free to reach its own arrangements with the federal government.
if England was given a parliament, the UK would almost certainly be forced to become a federation. that federation would not last much more than a few tens of years, because of the difference in the size of the English population (84%) and that of the other countries. either the English would resent not having influence commensurate with the country’s size, or the small partners would resent being dictacted to by a more assertive England.

the English Democrats’ willingness to contemplate the break up of the UK sets them apart from unionist parties such as the Conservatives, UKIP, and the BNP, which must always resist the establishment of an English parliament and the consequent move to a federation. anyone who wants an English parliament must throw in their lot with the English Democrats Party.

The Young Wessex League
“Zeaxe; owre land and volc”

By: Tim Hunter

Tim Hunter — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:16:37 +0000

comment 37: If the EDS position is an interim one then that is possibly OK apart from their position on Europe. However, I would like to know what the difference is between a Federation and a Union.

By: T. R. Spratt

T. R. Spratt — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:16:23 +0000

the English Democrats are the established party. they have the head-start. don’t divide the movement for an English parliament, be a little patient, don’t splnter and the EDP will surprise the world in next year’s general election, given half a chance. the party’s membership is increasing by leaps and bounds, as folk recognise the limitations of the unionist parties such as UKIP, the BNP and the Conservatives, and their inability or unwillingness to do what is needed.

The Young Wessex League
“Zeaxe; owre land and volc”

By: T. R. Spratt

T. R. Spratt — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:05:41 +0000

we are unlikely to move in one step from an English parliament to full independence. there will be a period of maybe tens of years in which some kind of federal set up prevails.
as Tim Hunter says the point of moving the English parliament out of London is to make a radical new start.
the federal parliament would undoubtedly remain at Westminster with fewer functions and fewer MPs and civil servants. moving the English Parliament out of London to Nottingham (or Leeds, altho Nottingham being more central would reduce [English] MPs’ travelling expenses ) would result in financial savings.

the inevitable result of an English parliament will be the break-up of the UK, because there cannot be a federation in which one elment makes up 84% of the population. The English Democrats’ position regarding the UK can only be an interim one. Because that is the case, for English nationalists to set up overtly separatist parties such as the FEP is is not necessary. the English Democrats can carry the day.

The Young Wessex League
“Zeaxe; owre land and volc”

By: T. R. Spratt

T. R. Spratt — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:40:52 +0000

under the Romans, Upper Britain was ruled from Cirencester and Lower Britain from York. Leeds is the largest city close to the old capital of Lower Britain. (in those days, Britain did not include what has become Scotland. Scotland was Pictavia/Pictland and the Scots were still in Iverne/Ireland. the old name for Great Britain was Albion. [the "Great" in "Great Britain" is merely a reference to size, to differentiate it from "Little Britain", i.e., Britanny].).

Nottingham is between the Roman cities of Cirencester, York and London. it has a lot going for it as the site of the revived English Parliament. the present Palace of Westminster only dates from Victorian times.

The Young wessex League
“Zeaxe, owre land and volc”

By: T. R. Spratt

T. R. Spratt — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:23:15 +0000

Zeaxeland-Wessex, or simply Zeaxe, corresponds to the historical earldom of Wessex as it was in 1066, as opposed to Thomas Hardy’s mythical “Wessex”. It equates to the government’s South East and South West regions taken together. (Kent was added in AD 824, Cornwall in AD 830, and Herefordshire early in the 11th century)
One UK-wide policy from which Zeaxeland-Wessex suffers is the business of altering the clocks twice a year to suit the Scots. That results in more deaths on the roads, and more heart attacks among Wessexers, and does harm to our economy.

The Young Wessex League
“Zeaxe; owre land and volc”

By: Wessexman

Wessexman — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:53:45 +0000

Ancient language of the King Alfreds “Wessexers”
he is still hiding in the reeds…………
English Parliament in Winchester or Salisbury ? or York

By: Tim Hunter

Tim Hunter — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:28:51 +0000

In fact, if it comes to regional bias I would prefer to base the EP in Yorkshire. BTW did you know that we claim Robin Hood was actually from Yorkshire and we have an airport named after him?

By: Daggs

Daggs — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:22:50 +0000

Tim post 30
Then it looks like you will have to found the Nottingham English Independance within the EU Party.

Good luck with that

By: David B. Wildgoose

David B. Wildgoose — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:41:04 +0000

What on Earth is “Zeaxe” and “Zeaxeland”? Never heard of it!