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Andrew Constantine

Free England Party

This is the name of the new pro-England independence party.  

It was approved by the Electoral Commission yesterday and should be up on the EC website some time next week.

We have much to learn from the Scottish nationalist parties and hope to have very good working relations with them.  Part of the case for independence for the UK's home nations is that they will get on better with other after the break-up of the Union.   So there is a clear steer for the various nationalist parties to prove that they are mature and reasonable with each other.

And may I thank forum members who have sent their good wishes to us.  Very much appreciated.

Andrew Constantine
Free England Party
Holebender

Free England?

Don't you think you're selling yourselves a bit short there? I'm sure you could get a couple of quid for it from some American tourists! Very Happy

Seriously, good luck. I wish you every electoral success.
Celtic Indian

Good luck Andrew.I am looking forward to seeing your visions on your web-site.Being a fledgling party for a completely new concept (English Independence) is truelly inspiring.Your open minded views,so far,as in political collaboration and economical collaboration is worthy of the vision of "progressive nationalism"

Lets do business !
carol

Best of luck Andrew

maybe meet up with you guys at an event sometime

regards

Carol
mairead

Andrew,
Good luck to you and to your new party.
I know that Scotland and England will both do better as individual nations than under this terrible union.
Every success to the Free England party.
cornubian

What's your policy on the Cornish Nation Andrew?: http://ourkingdom.opendemocracy.n...u-cant-write-us-out-of-existence/
cornubian

A debate on the English question here.

Here is a video from parliament TV where Cornwall gets a mention from Lord Tyler and, near the end, by Peter Facey of Unlock Democracy.

Meeting started on Tuesday 19 February at 4.15pm
ended at 6.17pm

Devolution: A Decade On: http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/VideoPlayer.aspx?meetingId=1124
Witnesses
cornubian

Here is the answer to the Cornish question, depressing as usual Confused

Quote:
Hello Phillip

Thank you for your enquiry. Our party is in favour of strengthened powers for county councils. On a personal note, I believe that power should be devolved down to the lowest level possible. I also subscribe to the view that all counties should have equal and fair treatment.

Your point about 27% of children see themselves as Cornish first, is interesting. What do the other 73% , the majority, see themselves as?

We are campaigning for the nation of England to become an independent sovereign state, outside of the UK and outside the EU. It seems from your comments that you see Cornwall as having a seperate identity to England. That is of course your and the people of Cornwall's prerogative. I would however put this to you:

If a strengthened county council is not acceptable, is it a seperate parliament you would require? If that is what you want, then there is nothing to stop you campaigning for it. However, I would suggest that if that is what you wanted, then such a parliament should be self-financed. It should have complete fiscal autonomy, and make contributions towards any services provided by the English state. it should also take its share of the national debt. This as you may know, runs into thousands of billions of pounds. That's only fair isn't it? The people of Cornwall are at liberty to campaign for whatever it wants, but if a devolved government is the end product, then the people of Cornwall should of course pay for it. It is unfair to expect taxpayers elsewhere in England to subsidise devolved government. It happens already in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and to be honest, people are sick of it. I wouldn't hold out too much hope for the EU to provide for greater funding. They have their hands full trying to integrate the former Eastern bloc nations.  

My view is that Cornwall would be better served with a stronger council within the nation state of England. That would still allow for Cornwall to retain its regional identity, in a similar way to any other county. I would never go against the democratic wishes of anyone, but I think if people want home rule, autonomy, or self-government, then it's only right and fair that those people pay for it.

Kind Regards


That fact that we the Cornish have been paying for his heir to the throne with our mineral resources seems lost on him.
Holebender

It is clear the author has little understanding of the financial arrangements of the UK. To dispel any doubt, Scotland contributes more financially than is spent in or on Scotland or on Scotland's behalf (e.g. our share of defence or foreign office budgets). Saying otherwise is simply untrue and (as stated) people are sick of it!
Morph

Good luck Andrew. Its nice to see aparty who state the benifits to BOTH Scotland and England frm a split and not just talk about how much better England would be without the Scottish.

All the best. I hope you will contribute here too as Scottish independence would surely aid your cause
Lord Pitsligo

Best wishes Andrew. I've said on other forums that England needs to look north to Scotland to see how to fight for political powers. I wish you every success, and I look forward to England being a friend.
Andrew Constantine

Policy re Cornish aspirations

cornubian wrote:
What's your policy on the Cornish Nation Andrew?: http://ourkingdom.opendemocracy.n...u-cant-write-us-out-of-existence/


I am sorry if this sounds rather rude, but in setting up the Free England Party, we did not have much time and attention to give to issues about Cornwall.   A new party requires asap the infrastructure of the established parties (website, accounting systems, membership cards etc) and yet starts with a zero base of members and cash.

The first time this year, I started to think about Cornwall was on reading last week's Sunday Times abour Cornish "nationalists".  I have to admit to feeling impressed by some of their arguments: although I abhor even the threat of political violence.  I did not know for example that Cornwall does not even have a single university.    

I am also very much concerned at the ubiquity of English and the damage this is doing to other languages.  So if minority languages and culture need government cash to subsidise their survival, so be it.

Nor did I know that Cornwall had not just been a county, but was a separate Duchy.   I can see arguments therefore for Cornwall having a special status - I would hope of course that this would be within an Independent England.

Until the Free England Party has an AGM and considers the issue of Cornish separatism, then there's not much I can add to the above.
I am sorry if the above seems like equivocation.  

Regards, Andrew
cornubian

Re: Policy re Cornish aspirations

Andrew Constantine wrote:
cornubian wrote:
What's your policy on the Cornish Nation Andrew?: http://ourkingdom.opendemocracy.n...u-cant-write-us-out-of-existence/


I am sorry if this sounds rather rude, but in setting up the Free England Party, we did not have much time and attention to give to issues about Cornwall.   A new party requires asap the infrastructure of the established parties (website, accounting systems, membership cards etc) and yet starts with a zero base of members and cash.

The first time this year, I started to think about Cornwall was on reading last week's Sunday Times abour Cornish "nationalists".  I have to admit to feeling impressed by some of their arguments: although I abhor even the threat of political violence.  I did not know for example that Cornwall does not even have a single university.    

I am also very much concerned at the ubiquity of English and the damage this is doing to other languages.  So if minority languages and culture need government cash to subsidise their survival, so be it.

Nor did I know that Cornwall had not just been a county, but was a separate Duchy.   I can see arguments therefore for Cornwall having a special status - I would hope of course that this would be within an Independent England.

Until the Free England Party has an AGM and considers the issue of Cornish separatism, then there's not much I can add to the above.
I am sorry if the above seems like equivocation.  

Regards, Andrew


No thats good enough for the moment and I understand that your thoughts were elsewhere.

Here is to the day when Cornish, English, Welsh and Scottish nationalists work together for the benefit of all.
cornubian

Just an idea but the Celtic League has many English members who might be only too happy to join or help an English party that was respectful towards all the Celtic nations.
Andrew Constantine

Good idea - how do we progress this?

cornubian wrote:
Just an idea but the Celtic League has many English members who might be only too happy to join or help an English party that was respectful towards all the Celtic nations.


cornubian

Thanks for the above post.   I like the sound of it very much.  Any thoughts on how we can progress and help each other?  Perhaps an independence website and forum for all the former home nations (please let my party's AGM formally decide on Cornwall) seeking independence and good working relations thereafter on an inter governmental basis.

Kind regards, Andrew
Corby Boy

A Message to Andrew Constantine, Pip and all like minded English folk:

Happy St George's Day, from your friendly neighbours frae Scotland!

(PS. I think friendly relations with Celtic Neighbours and recognition of Cornwall's Independent and Celtic Status is the right way to go).
Rinty

I dont wish them luck at all, they campaign for a freeze on all immigration and also peddle the lie that England subsidises Scotland.
Andrew Constantine

Quick response

Rinty wrote:
I dont wish them luck at all, they campaign for a freeze on all immigration and also peddle the lie that England subsidises Scotland.


Hi Rinty

There is a now an agreed view down here that public services in England are taking too much strain from the high levels of immigration.

If Scotland wishes to take in more immigrants, then that should be the call of the Scottish government and citizens - and no business of mine, nor of other Englishmen.   But that same point applies as regards England's ability or desire to take more immigration as well: it should be the decision of the government based in London and the English people.

My position on Scotland's share of UK public expenditure is more nuanced than you outline above.  

It is a fact that HMG expenditure in Scotland under the Barnett Formula is higher on a per capita basis than in England.  

It is my belief (although the figures are hard to prove, or disprove) that Scotland raises more revenues on a per capita basis because of its relatively higher share of UK taxation recepts on oil, gas, and its financial sector.

It is my contention that Scotland would be even better off if and when it gains its independence.

Regards, Andrew
cornubian

Re: Good idea - how do we progress this?

Andrew Constantine wrote:
cornubian wrote:
Just an idea but the Celtic League has many English members who might be only too happy to join or help an English party that was respectful towards all the Celtic nations.


cornubian

Thanks for the above post.   I like the sound of it very much.  Any thoughts on how we can progress and help each other?  Perhaps an independence website and forum for all the former home nations (please let my party's AGM formally decide on Cornwall) seeking independence and good working relations thereafter on an inter governmental basis.

Kind regards, Andrew


Your best bet would be to contact the League but if as some have said your policies are little more than an English UKIP I wouldn't bother, they steer clear of the right and far right.

But yes a simple website and forum for all the home nation nationalist movements and dare I say it English regionalists would be a great idea and perhaps a spring board to bigger things.

A similar forum for autonomist movements conected in some way to France already exists: http://fpl.forumactif.com/index.htm
Dave Coull

Rinty wrote "I dont wish them luck at all, they campaign for a freeze on all immigration and also peddle the lie that England subsidises Scotland".

I agree with Rinty.

Andrew says "If Scotland wishes to take in more immigrants, then that should be the call of the Scottish government and citizens - and no business of mine, nor of other Englishmen. But that same point applies as regards England's ability or desire to take more immigration as well: it should be the decision of the government based in London and the English people."

When the American colonies rebelled, the Church of Scotland was divided in its attitudes. The dominant faction within the Kirk (with its main support in and around Edinburgh, where the general assembly was usually held) supported the Crown, and the war effort. But in Glasgow and many other places, many in the Kirk tended to sympathise with the American rebels. The Minister of Montrose was noted for his outspoken support for the USA declaration of independence. However, there was one thing on which support was usually withheld   -   the Americans should have their independence, but they should move towards abolishing slavery.

It is perfectly possible to support the view that a country should be independent, and choose its own course, and yet hold views on what is universally the right thing to do. So far as I personally am concerned, opposition to exploitation is one of the universal principles. Another is freedom of movement.

So yes, it is up to the citizens of a country to decide that country's policies; but I don't agree with the "no business of mine" attitude. Some things are everybody's business. Slavery is one of them; racism and restrictions on movement are others. Rinty is right to withhold his support for the Free England Party. That doesn't diminish the right of the people of England to decide the policies for their country, it just means that he (and I) choose not to support a particular political party whose politics we don't like.
Pip

Corby Boy wrote:
A Message to Andrew Constantine, Pip and all like minded English folk:

Happy St George's Day, from your friendly neighbours frae Scotland!

(PS. I think friendly relations with Celtic Neighbours and recognition of Cornwall's Independent and Celtic Status is the right way to go).


Cheers Corby Boy! Mine's been rather good and we've been lucky with the weather, at least in Kent.

It's felt bigger this year than ever, flags all over and very few people unaware of what today is.

Rinty

"It is a fact that HMG expenditure in Scotland under the Barnett Formula is higher on a per capita basis than in England."

All funding that uses the barnett formula is exactly the same per head of capita as the barnett forumla is a calculation that is based on population share.

Situations that ae not covered by barnett such as benefts are where we end up with higher per capita figure that is often quoted.  The per capita spend is higher if you take scotland and england as whole units.  Of course there are areas of england wth higher per capita spend than scotland (LONDON FOR INSTANCE).
Andrew Constantine

Who is being exploited?

Dave Coull wrote:


Andrew says "If Scotland wishes to take in more immigrants, then that should be the call of the Scottish government and citizens - and no business of mine, nor of other Englishmen. But that same point applies as regards England's ability or desire to take more immigration as well: it should be the decision of the government based in London and the English people."

It is perfectly possible to support the view that a country should be independent, and choose its own course, and yet hold views on what is universally the right thing to do. So far as I personally am concerned, opposition to exploitation is one of the universal principles. Another is freedom of movement.

So yes, it is up to the citizens of a country to decide that country's policies; but I don't agree with the "no business of mine" attitude. Some things are everybody's business. Slavery is one of them; racism and restrictions on movement are others. Rinty is right to withhold his support for the Free England Party. That doesn't diminish the right of the people of England to decide the policies for their country, it just means that he (and I) choose not to support a particular political party whose politics we don't like.


You raise some key issues and I would like to cover two of them.

The free immigration policy that the UK has to have in respect of EU citiizens has certainly benefitted business, and of course the hardworking Polish and other EU migrant workers themselves.   But it has been very tough for those fellow countrymen of ours who have to compete against them.  And if you increase the supply of labour, then doesn't the price of it come down?    I thought it was accepted that this unrestricted EU immigration has hit hardest the people on the bottom of the ladder.  As someone who is meant to care for his nation (i.e. a nationalist) that has to be a matter of concern for me.  

As regards my tough views on immigration, I know of no state that does not have immigration controls.   It is not widely known that England has a higher population density than either India or China.  Demographic projections show the UK population going over 70 million, with almost all the increase expected in London and the South East.    Also relevant is that there are several million economically inactive fellow citizens of ours of working age.   I think they deserve to have good employment prospects as a basic human right.  If we allow migrants to take spare jobs, it's hard to see how they will ever get a decent job.

Our positions are at variance, but I hope mine are not without reason.  

Regards, Andrew
Andrew Constantine

23 Aptil - The day was a wipe out

Corby Boy wrote:
A Message to Andrew Constantine, Pip and all like minded English folk:

Happy St George's Day, from your friendly neighbours frae Scotland!

(PS. I think friendly relations with Celtic Neighbours and recognition of Cornwall's Independent and Celtic Status is the right way to go).


Corby Boy

Thank you for the good wishes.  

Yesterday was quite something as a few of us launched our "The English Claim of Right" campaign and website (see separate thread) and we had some 600 plus people who registered on the site and which caused a huge amount of work.  

It looks like business has decided to cash in on SGD so it will become an ever bigger event each year.

The best bit about the day is that there are elections every 1 May in England, so the sight of the cosg (English flag) around each 23/04 might have a silver lining to English nationalists.

Kind Regards, Andrew

PS I accept the hint and feel that is the best way in any event on various criteria, such as it is the right thing to do.  

In fact I spent three years in Wales when young and have a very high opinion of the people and the culture of Wales.   No problems with Scotland at all, and I am learning about Cornwall much that maybe I should have already known.   Northern Ireland is not an issue either - it seems generally accepted as being on the road to unification with the Republic.  Just leaves the French to be nasty about (only joking!)
Dave Coull

Andrew wrote “Our positions are at variance, but I hope mine are not without reason.”

Your party is more reasonable than the so-called “English Democrats”. THEIR pronouncements are downright offensive. Nevertheless, Rinty has said that he would not support the Free England Party, and I agree. This isn’t a question of mutual recognition of sovereignty, it’s a question of liking or disliking the policies of a particular political party.

“As regards my tough views on immigration, I know of no state that does not have immigration controls”   -   the tougher the restrictions you support, the more power you put into the hands of the state authorities. You may have a touching faith in the benevolence of all state authority, I don’t. Increasing State power makes it more tempting for authoritarians of the right, left, and centre, to try to get their hands on that power, but it doesn’t suit those for whom the individual liberty of all (not just of migrants) is important.
agentmancuso

Dave Coull wrote:

“As regards my tough views on immigration, I know of no state that does not have immigration controls”   -   the tougher the restrictions you support, the more power you put into the hands of the state authorities. You may have a touching faith in the benevolence of all state authority, I don’t. Increasing State power makes it more tempting for authoritarians of the right, left, and centre, to try to get their hands on that power, but it doesn’t suit those for whom the individual liberty of all (not just of migrants) is important.


Very sensible Mr Coull.
agentmancuso

Mr Constantine's results:

Quote:

Name              Party       %        +/-   Total
Tony Arbour   CON   40.82   9.29   76,913
Stephen Knight LD 26.53 -2.37 49,985
Ansuya Sodha LAB 16.02 -0.26 30,190
John Hunt GRN 6.78 0.41 12,774
Andrew Cripps NF 2.52 0 4,754
Peter Dul UKIP 2.01 -6.04 3,779
Sue May CPA 1.97 0.03 3,718
Andrew Constantine FRE 1.54 0 2,908
Roger Cooper END 0.99 0 1,874
Tansy Hoskins LL 0.81 0 1,526
TURNOUT
Total 45.39%


As far as I can make out, he was the only candidate under this label.

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