Over the past few days there's been a dawning realisation that Labour's plans for English devolution might be an attack on local democracy. The Times warned us that ministers are drawing up plans to promise more powers for England's county councils in exchange for the abolition of district councils. According to the Times, district councils … Continue reading Today “regional” is merely code for central direction
Author: English Commonwealth
English Commonwealth is a web-based campaign that seeks to promote England as a discrete nation and source of political identity and citizenship in its own right.
Why is Lisa Nandy unable to say England?
Dear DCMS, I am writing to ask why your press release on the National Youth Strategy doesn't mention which nation the 'National' in 'National Youth Strategy' refers to. There are four uses of the phrase 'across the country'. Which country? Does it have a name? Lisa Nandy's statement to the House on the National Youth … Continue reading Why is Lisa Nandy unable to say England?
What about England?
Writing in the pages of New Statesman, democracy campaigner and all round good-egg Anthony Barnett has asked its readers 'what about my country?'. Barnett speaks as an Englishman who wants to challenge the English-born liberal or progressive readers of the New Statesman who 'almost certainly don’t "feel English"'? This inability to identify with their own nation, despite … Continue reading What about England?
The Conspiracy of Silence and how the Tories screwed England
The Conservative Party spent many years telling those of us who wanted an English parliament that an English parliament was not required because English Votes on English Laws (EVEL) was the answer. Any time we raised the issue of England's lack of representation or the West Lothian Question we were informed that EVEL was the … Continue reading The Conspiracy of Silence and how the Tories screwed England
Louise Haigh is at it again
We asked previously 'Why won’t Louise Haigh use the word ‘England’?'Here she is again refusing to say England, informing us that the National Transport Strategy (which applies to England alone - though she doesn't mention that) will 'get Britain moving'.Why would you say Britain when it only applies to England? Why Louise, why? What is … Continue reading Louise Haigh is at it again
Devolution has strengthened the Union
Has devolution strengthened the Union? This is what the politicians responsible for it said. The question is: is the UK stronger as a result of devolution or not? I think it is stronger, because people in Scotland say: 'Oh we have our parliament now, that is a fair settlement.' You will get the Tories and … Continue reading Devolution has strengthened the Union
Glossary: The English Question
In the island of Britain today there are three governments representing three constitutional and political bodies. There is the Scottish Parliament, there is the Welsh Assembly, there is the United Kingdom Parliament. They represent Scotland, Wales and the United Kingdom Constitutionally and politically just those three exist. Constitutionally and politically England does not exist. That situation, and its implications, constitutes the English Question.
Is English nationalism a far-right concern?
The claim that the Right or far-right have ownership of England’s symbols, the English narrative or English nationalism is an oft-heard trope. The far-right has not taken ownership of these things, it is the left and centre that has abandoned them. The difference between English nationalism and British nationalism does not lie in how attractive the far-right see them, it lies in the fact that mainstream politicians fly the British flag and articulate a plural, multicultural Britishness that prevents a far-right monopolisation of Britishness.
Rebuilding England: the case for an English manifesto
Have you ever wondered why no politician talks about rebuilding England? Why, when their housebuilding policies apply only to England, is it framed as 'Rebuilding Britain'? Why are commitments to build English new towns, ripping up England's planning laws and building on English grey belt framed as fulfilling the priorities of 'the British people'? How … Continue reading Rebuilding England: the case for an English manifesto
Why won’t Louise Haigh use the word ‘England’?
Can you imagine the minister responsible for potholes and buses in Scotland talking about Britain rather than Scotland? Can you imagine the minister responsible for those matters in Wales refusing to use the word 'Wales' and referring only to 'the country'? No, of course not. Why do we in England have to put up with politicians that won't say England?
