Northumbrian

Question - what is the difference between Labour and the Lib Dems? Both are 'socialist', europhiles, pro-devolution (including English 'region's), pro-immigration etc. True, the Lib Dems opposed the war in Iraq, and are against ID cards, but that ain't much. One of my local councillors defected from Labour to Lib Dems - not because of a change in idealogy, but because she didn't get on with some Labour colleagues. So I suppose they're useful if anyone falls out with their Party, and need somewhere else to go.

Aren't these Parties vote-splitting? How many voters can think of the differences between the two? The 'socialists' could even have a bigger majority at Westminster if they amalgamated. I mean, there are only 2 mainstream parties in the USA. Why do we need 3 here?

I would wager there is a bigger difference in idealogy between the EDP and FEP, than between Labour and the Lib Dems, yet no one questions the Lib Dems right to exist.

eublues

What is this concern with 'England's home rule' when there is so obviously a much bigger issue?

Northumbrian

Because with home rule, policies can be made without consideration to the other 47% land area of the UK.

eublues

Even with 'home rule' we would have more than 75% EU rule (and increasing fast).

cassie

Yes, but has it occurred to you that mustering the English, making them conscious of their identity, may be an effective route to organising the effective opposition to EU rule which is so patently denied by the so called 'minorities' holding the levers of power just now?

After all, these issues are not mutually exclusive!



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Ken

I am concerned about the definition. Do you agree with the Linsell-Phillips idea that the English are those who call themselves English on the census form? It seems to fluid to me without taking DNA into consideration.

cassie

What definition is this you are referring to?



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Richard the Lionheart

The point I think being missed is what the FEP are about. When we say we support home rule, independence, or whatever term you may wish to use, we mean exactly that. The creation of an English nation state that is governed by an English parliament and executive which is not answerable to the EU,UK, or any other organisation, except the people of England. In our vision, England will be out of both organisations.

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The Free England Party - England's Premier Nationalist Party
www.freeengland.com .....Serious about England

Richard the Lionheart

I offered a view as to my belief of what the EDP are. I believe the EDP is a unionist/federalist party, which it is. They support a federal UK. They support the retention of the union. It isn't an insult, it's a fact.

It is the current EDP leadership that I do not trust. I know many people within the party and get along fine with them, but this isn't about personalities, it's about ideology.

The FEP have agreed to work with other English nationalists for particular common purposes. This means that we can do business on certain issues without compromising particular policies. You and I converse by telephone periodically and reach agreement on many areas even though we have a difference of opinion on how England should be governed. That of course does not separate us.

The thing that I have a problem with, is this continued belief by some, that all English nationalists should unite under the EDP umbrella. This is like saying that all unionists should unite under the Labour, or Tory umbrella. You yourself would be cast into the wilderness like I and many others would be if that was the case. There are 38 million voters in England to appeal to and there is plenty of room for both parties. It would be nice if we were given an opportunity to show what we can do without being accused of breaking the nationalist cause.

I don't know if people are aware of this piece of information:

Vassal Ward, Lambeth 20th March 2008

Lib Dem 1209
Lab 859
Con 206
Green 109
EngDem 8 - 0.003%
Ind 7

Perhaps someone from the EDP would like to discuss this and maybe offer some reason as to why the message is not getting through. It is results like this, along with Sedgefield, Southall, and the decreasing share of the vote in Dartford and Portsmouth that convinces me that the EDP way is not the way forward. When I was a member I advocated the party needed new leadership and a change in strategy and policy. As an ex-member, it is not for me to say what they do about it, it is for EDP members to ask themselves what can be done to improve things, but I think it's a little unfair for EDP members to continually accuse us of dividing the nationalist cause when clearly their supposed leadership of English nationalism is not bringing the desired results.

There is no reason why the two parties cannot co-exist and offer the voters two different brands of English politics. All we want to do is give our ideas a try, and if it doesn't work then we admit failure, but we are less than three months old, and should at least have the opportunity to try.

__________________
The Free England Party - England's Premier Nationalist Party
www.freeengland.com .....Serious about England

Ea of Dune

I think the big question for me is the following if someone from the FEP wouldn't mind answering?

1.) Do the FEP think they will get anybody elected in the Euro election?
2.) Do they think they will get an MP into parliament at the next GE?
3.) Do they think the Tories will take the next election?
4.) Do you think the Tories wil sell us out to the EU?

I don't believe, as mucha s I support the aims of FEP that they will be able to make anything like the dent required in the coming 4 years to divert us from the situation we are presented with.

I agree with some 38 million voters there is plenty of room for different English parties, however when the only English party that contest local elections can only scrape 8 votes then what hope does a second party have?

I don't agree with the concept of a Federal UK but I would vote for the EDP if they stood in my area. If pro-Independence people like myself are voting for them and they can't get into power, what hope do either party have when the vote is split?

Judging from the posts amongst UKIP member son here they are having trouble making a dent at the moment, and they actually have MEP's elected, but their leadership and a handful of memebrs seems to be screwing things up for them.
If our best chance at the moment is UKIP to pull us out of the EU and sort out the devolution mess, then it makes me want to give up.

My ideal situation would see the pro-England brigade in UKIP join the EDP, the FEP merge with them, and a re-shuffle of the leadership if needed.
i'd like to see the Libetarians in England come on board as well. I don't agree with everything they say, but they have a lot of good ideas, and could form a good "club" within any party putting forward some very valid ideas.

The above would be a real force for sorting out the devolution mess, and the EU.

Once we have a seperate English parliament, and freedom from the EU, then if requried the party could split into groups that pushed their own agenders i.e. Indepent England etc.

Ea of dune