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Andrew Constantine
On A Journey (500 Miles)
Joined: 02 Jan 2008
Posts: 22
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 Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 4:51 pm Post subject: Free England Party |
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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
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Free England Party
Independence for England |
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Holebender
I need ma own bl**dy forum!
Joined: 04 Apr 2007
Posts: 1261
Location: Here or There
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| Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 5:30 pm Post subject: |
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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! 
Seriously, good luck. I wish you every electoral success.
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"My instinct is to agree with your opinion of his verse, but I've never so much as glanced at it." - agentmancuso |
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Celtic Indian
Nationalist
Joined: 30 Oct 2007
Posts: 166
Location: Dùn Tòchair
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| Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 12:52 am Post subject: |
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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 !
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A Progressive Nationalist who want to banish Insular Nationalism and is humbled to be Scottish ! |
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carol
Ready For Afterlife!
Joined: 15 Sep 2005
Posts: 2697
Location: nestled in the hills of Perthshire
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| Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 7:32 am Post subject: |
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Best of luck Andrew
maybe meet up with you guys at an event sometime
regards
Carol |
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mairead
Ready For Afterlife!
Joined: 08 Mar 2006
Posts: 2986
Location: Argyll, Alba
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| Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 2:16 pm Post subject: |
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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.
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I fear not hell, nor English strife,
For Scotland, I will give my life |
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cornubian
Gaining a Reputation........
Joined: 03 Aug 2006
Posts: 177
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cornubian
Gaining a Reputation........
Joined: 03 Aug 2006
Posts: 177
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cornubian
Gaining a Reputation........
Joined: 03 Aug 2006
Posts: 177
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| Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 12:21 pm Post subject: |
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Here is the answer to the Cornish question, depressing as usual 
| 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.
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Holebender
I need ma own bl**dy forum!
Joined: 04 Apr 2007
Posts: 1261
Location: Here or There
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| Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 2:59 pm Post subject: |
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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!
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"My instinct is to agree with your opinion of his verse, but I've never so much as glanced at it." - agentmancuso |
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Morph
I really have nothing else to do!!!
Joined: 19 Jan 2006
Posts: 872
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| Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2008 7:06 pm Post subject: |
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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
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"An oppressive government is to be more feared than a tiger" |
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Lord Pitsligo
Nationalist
Joined: 14 Aug 2007
Posts: 123
Location: Englandshire (but not for long!)
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| Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 2:25 pm Post subject: |
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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.
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Andrew Constantine
On A Journey (500 Miles)
Joined: 02 Jan 2008
Posts: 22
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| Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 9:27 pm Post subject: Policy re Cornish aspirations |
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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
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Free England Party
Independence for England |
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cornubian
Gaining a Reputation........
Joined: 03 Aug 2006
Posts: 177
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| Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2008 6:27 pm Post subject: Re: Policy re Cornish aspirations |
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| Andrew Constantine wrote: |
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.
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cornubian
Gaining a Reputation........
Joined: 03 Aug 2006
Posts: 177
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| Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2008 6:29 pm Post subject: |
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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.
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Andrew Constantine
On A Journey (500 Miles)
Joined: 02 Jan 2008
Posts: 22
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| Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2008 9:28 pm Post subject: Good idea - how do we progress this? |
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| 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
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Free England Party
Independence for England |
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Corby Boy
I Love 'Our Scotland'
Joined: 12 Oct 2006
Posts: 396
Location: South of Hadrian's Wall
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| Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 9:58 am Post subject: |
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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). |
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Rinty
Ready For Afterlife!
Joined: 19 Sep 2005
Posts: 2560
Location: SW Scotland
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| Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 10:51 am Post subject: |
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| I dont wish them luck at all, they campaign for a freeze on all immigration and also peddle the lie that England subsidises Scotland. |
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Andrew Constantine
On A Journey (500 Miles)
Joined: 02 Jan 2008
Posts: 22
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| Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 1:55 pm Post subject: Quick response |
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| 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
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Free England Party
Independence for England |
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cornubian
Gaining a Reputation........
Joined: 03 Aug 2006
Posts: 177
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| Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 2:04 pm Post subject: Re: Good idea - how do we progress this? |
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| 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
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Dave Coull
Independentista
Joined: 07 Nov 2006
Posts: 967
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| Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 5:56 pm Post subject: |
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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. |
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