PaulRogan

BBC NEWS | Politics | English party plays the long game

One small step nearer an English Parliament.

Have the Tories jumped in with both feet and the only water on the site will be the tears of disappointment flooding through Brighouse?

Remember, the Council, no doubt under instructions from the Tory leader and her cabinet, did not consult with other Councillors, the public or stakeholders in the selection of the site for the new pool.

A clear indication to many that the Tories did not wish to dilute the advantage of the news, which features substantially in their campaign material and leaflets.

Now we hear rumored that the tennis courts site is a ‘no go' with the Environment Agency. The apparent use of Council resources to boost Tory election hopes may now be seen as just another demonstration of the complacent leadership and lack of strategic thinking of the last 7 years of Tory control in Calderdale.

There is still time on Thursday for voters, especially in Rastrick to send a clear message to the Tories that they have been found out. Putting Party before People is not what the People want.

Published and promoted by Paul Rogan on behalf of David Stevenson and B&C English Democrats, all at 363 Stainland Rd, Stainland, HX4 9HF

Many feel that, with only a third of seats in local authorities up for election not really much can change. There could be a big change in London and also in those Metro areas where elections are all out. Good reasons in my view to keep pressing for directly elected executives and all out elections for councils every 4 years.

Surely, isn't that the reason for elections? Either to change completely that which you don't want or to endorse fully that which you do.

However, in the present situation, if local electors support smaller Parties on May 1^st, instead of just voting for the ‘Big Two', it may not change the price of bread on May 2^nd but it could certainly change the future policies of both Labour and Tories before the next General Election. Surely that is a change which must be worth your vote.

Paul Rogan, Chairman Bradford & Calderdale English Democrats.

After I had written the above, I read Colin Drury's Courier Opinion last Friday and felt many of the sentiments he expressed could easily have been my own. Had it not been during an election period, I would have put a comment on the Courier website pointing readers (and Colin) to the EDP website, manifesto and policy statements. Opinion link:- http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/colin-drury/A-mayor-would-get-my.4020667.jp

Published & promoted by Cllr Paul Rogan on behalf of The B&C English Democrats, both at 363 Stainland Rd, Stainland, HX4 9HF.

Fuel rationing; house prices crashing; Private Investigators to replace Police Detectives; teachers striking; cost of living rising. Blair is now apparently starting to blame Brown (through his Funding Lord 'Cashpoint') for New Labour's slide. Meanwhile, another Lord announces he is leaving the Country and, whilst living in Switzerland, he still retains his vote over UK legislation back home. Another example why an unelected and undemocratically accountable House of Lords is as much out of touch as was taxing the poorest more.

Churchill said, it wasn't oppositions which won elections; it was Governments which lost them. So is New Labour running out of steam? Obviously in hope of this Cameron will be stoking his boiler with all the fuel he can get. Maybe Labour is out of puff but are the Tories steaming full ahead? More importantly, are they heading for a station where lots of passengers are waiting for their train? Steaming headlong into the buffers will not be the precursor for a Labour defeat.

Calderdale is hoping to be rescued from the doldrums by having the sparkle and tourist attraction of Robin Hood's grave at Clifton open to the public.

The memory of that great Englishman stirs us still and takes us back to a time before the Scots had come down to rule over us and long before the ‘Developer Barons' had concreted over our green and pleasant land. Oh what glorious memories, like when Labour was the Party of the People. These days they rob the poor to pay their expenses and salaries in Westminster. Oh yes Robin, your idea was better, please come and save us all!

Paul Rogan, Chairman English Democrats Party, Bradford & Calderdale

Published & promoted by Cllr Paul Rogan on behalf of The B&C English Democrats, both at 363 Stainland Rd, Stainland, HX4 9HF.

Perhaps it is because of the high media coverage over Gordon's abolition of the 10p tax band that so many people approached me today, raising old but not forgotten frustrations and anger over Councillor's salaries.

The complaints came fast and furious. 40% salary increases! Free laptop computers! Free holidays! And still they don't fill in their time sheets!

I was able to say, about the 43% pay increase, this Councillor at least refused to accept it until the issue went before the electorate and the ballot box in the ‘all-out' election.

I campaigned and voted against Councillors being given free laptops.

I haven't had a holiday, freebee or otherwise in over 6 years, (more fool me).

The English Democrats believe Councillors should not be paid a fixed salary. Community work and activities are the most important duties of a ward Councillor.

I was delivering leaflets in the Field Lane area and decided I must take these views of the man in the street on board.

I have now encapsulated today's popular view into a leaflet: -

English Democrats keep hearing your concerns about Councillors free laptops, 43% pay increases and incomplete time sheets? We hear when you say, ‘when Councillors weren't paid, we seemed to see more of them'. We agree! But did you know your two Rastrick Tory Councillors get nearly £60,000 a year? This excludes ‘freebees' like trips to South Africa. It all comes out of your money? Do you think you get value for money from your Tory Councillors?

Isn't it time for a change from all the old ways?

The April edition is being emailed to Rastrick community and Neighbourhood Groups this week. it is also on the link from the Rastrick.org.uk website. If anyone would like a copy please email me on voice@rastrick.org.uk

We hope to found a new Community Action Group, Rastrick Bridge End. This will then mean that all Rastrick ward is geographically covered by neighbourhood groups. The meeting is 8th May, 6.30 at the Pennywise News, Thornton Rd. All welcome.

The English Democrats want St George's Day to be England's National Holiday.

You can register your vote by Text or phone.

Text: YES to 88886 or phone 09077 067060

Text: NO to 88886 or phone 09077 067061

English Democrats are fed up with those regular politicians who don't seem to care about our country but only appear to care about their own careers. The English Democrats want to be your voice for England and Englishness.

To find out more about our answers, Text: ENGLAND to 88886

Promoted by the English Democrats Party, Quires Green, Willingale, Ongar, Essex, CM5 0QP.

Texts cost 50p. Voting telephone calls cost 150p; calls are charged at 150p per minute from BT lines. Other operators' charges may vary.

All proceeds go to help fund our campaign for England.

And, some GOOD NEWS

The BBC have told us that they will be covering our London Assembly Candidates on Wednesday, 23 April 2008, during our joint Demo with the CEP in Parliament Square, London - 10am to 12 Noon.

Supposedly the plea of the Bolling Hall Ghost to spare the town during the English Civil War. A plea which seems to many today to have just as much relevance.

The Telegraph & Argus reported about the widespread and community dismay over pulling the plug on plans to celebrate St George's Day. Article link:- http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/display.var.2206609.0.anger_as_st_georges_parade_cancelled.php

It's not the first time Bradford has angered locals and St George. In 2004 the Council was branded the meanest in the country for charging Keighley to hold a charity market which was to be run in conjunction with St George's Day celebrations.

This year, to add insult to injury, the Council appears to believe that moving St George's Day from 23^rd April will make England's day of national celebration more acceptable.

The Yorkshire Post has also picked up on the row.

http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/City-row-over-cancelled-parade.3999947.jp

In addition to St George being the Patron Saint of England, he is honoured in both Christian and Muslim faiths. What a great pity Bradford has missed an opportunity to be both Patriotic and at the same time to bring so many communities together, old and young alike.

Is the message now getting across?

Some recent articles which give us all, who are campaigning for an English Parliament, some real hope that it is.

The Spectator's St George's Day Eition. (Page 3)

http://www.spectator.co.uk/the-magazine/the-week/615231/alex-salmond-is-nudging-the-english-towards-independence-without-them-realising-it.thtml

The New Statesman

New Statesman - So, is it all right to be an English nationalist?

The latest edition of the English Democrats magazine, English Voice is now available as an E-book.

http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/Launch.aspx?referral=mypagesuite&refresh=3q1SyE401tD5&EID=b1070c5a-161c-472b-aad6-11ba24d601e2

It is the first time I have read a magazine in this way; you can scroll through the pages, zoom in and out... it was great fun. Felt like I was reading a ‘bridge report' on Star Trek.

Last week I emailed the Chief Executive of Calderdale requesting that the outstanding ‘Creer Report' be made public. (My email and his response are included as comments after this entry). I am left to assume that the result is the Courier article, which I read before receiving a circular letter to all Councillors and Senior Officers. Clearly the Code of Recommended Practice does not extend to the usual courtesies and formalities which are common in business and other walks of life.

http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/Official-39did-not-lie39-over.3975185.jp

Much is made in the press report about the allegations of fraud and presenting false evidence being unfounded, perhaps only in the minds of the objector. These were in my mind only headline issues and not fundamental to the real issue about the ill-fated development plans for Sugden's Mill.

The biggest questions remain unanswered.....

• Why did the Tory cabinet fail to do a proper job and evaluate Officer recommendations before meekly and wrongly, according to Creer, proceed to confirm the CPO in the first place?
• Why did the Council, if so convinced about their scheme for Sudgen's, not ensure that the necessary and required land was purchased before proceeding further?
• Having decided not to purchase the site, why did the Council doggedly pursue plans to build an outdated scheme in the face of massive public opposition?
• Why was the scheme's overall financial implications, which caused the Council's own expert witness to exclaim: " to proceed with this scheme would be bonkers", so badly managed?
• Being fully aware of the massive road congestion problems within Calderdale as a whole and particularly in Brighouse, why was a scheme which involved closing off a major and important road in the town so relentlessly pursued?

I hope as many as possible will have a look at these and distribute as widely as possible. Rastrick webcast and ‘mobile speaker' soundtrack

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=CjDqxFZIYis 

London Campaign TV broadcast

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b009vtg7

Published and promoted by Clr Paul Rogan on behalf of the Bradford & Calderdale English Democrats, both at 363 Stainland Rd, stainland, HX4 9HF

Those that vote for the candidate with the most votes are clearly winners. After a fashion, those who choose not to vote themselves would seem quite happy to allow the choice of the winning side to others, also win. The certain losers are those who have cast their votes for candidates who do not win. They have positively voted against the winner and there may be more of them than voters who positively supported the winner, but they are individually in a minority, therefore they all lose.

How long before those on the losing sides become distanced and disillusioned by the whole process? When people are continually excluded from the outcome of any activity, obviously their interest in that activity soon wanes. If we really want to protect democracy in the modern world, surely a form of proportional representation, where all those who vote maintain an interest in the overall outcome must be the inevitable way forward.

The more recent democracies, such as in Germany, have developed more modern voting systems based upon PR. Both Labour and the Tories toil with getting their members to select the types and numbers of ‘professional politicians' each Party wants. (Black, Asian, women etc.). A PR list system would solve both party's problems at a stroke. Can't they see that? We are no longer living in the cradles of democracy when those elected were known and continually in touch with those who elected them. We live in a sophisticated world served by technology and democracy must move with the times too.

Lets look at the results of last year's elections in Calderdale to demonstrate the argument. Of the 39% of electors who voted (61% did not vote),

Tories received 14565 votes, 28%

Labour received 13504 votes, 26%

Liberals received 12105 votes, 24%

Other Parties, including the English Democrats, BNP, Greens, Independents & Respect received 11172 votes, 22%.

The result was 100% Tory rule. 28% of those who voted would be happy with this but 72%, nearly three quarters of all those who voted, positively voted against Tory rule. Is this a sustainable system? Is this democracy?

Not a good situation for the PM with the ‘spring push' of local and London elections about to take place. But nearly all of the bombshells falling on the ruling clan this week are weapons which they have themselves supplied.

Whilst the ‘Cannabis Question' could perhaps be simply a recreational issue promoted by media mandarins who grew up in the pot smoking sixties, financially attacking those 5 million pals, who earn under £18k a year and who will be worse off with the abolition of the 10p tax band, most certainly is a Gordon Wizzbang. Many old Labour supporters may still have rallied to the ‘whistle call' for the Labour Clan on May 1^st despite the gas attacks suffocating middle class mortgage payers, but will they still feel inclined to turn out for the ‘red team' when the poorest are singled out for a scud missile?

A Judge has commented that the family unit is in melt down. Society is suffering as a result and there are no longer sufficient clear benchmarks for what is right and what is wrong. A committee of MP's has announced that migrant workers do not enhance the countries economy yet the law is strengthened to make it easier for new migrants to come here for work at the expense of our old Commonwealth allies.

One Government Minister said, the ‘Clan' is ruling in the best interests of all and not vested interests. Many will wonder if the vested interests of the poorest, those with families and resident English people might not add up to enough people to constitute all interests. Perhaps he was meaning the interests of all MP's with their lavish taxpayer funded expenses.

Here are some links to just a few of the webcasts which could be of interest to English Democrats supporters.

Please feel free to circulate!

"PART OF THE UNION" HERE.... (Great song, remember it well when I was a lad)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnYlOxklT-g

"Scottish Claim of Right" here.....

YouTube - Scottish Claim to Right

"Paving over Paradise" - link is here..... (Another great song, watch out for Bob the Builder)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4p2qWK3XxHM

www.eng-dems.org.uk/

Info & details                                                       Email

Calder Valley PPC       Paul Rogan                   paul@eng-dems.org.uk

Elland                            Mick Clarke                   all.clarkes@blueyonder.co.uk

Greetland & Stainland  Johnathan Rogan         jonr@eng-dems.org.uk

Northowram & Shelf     John Dowson               jond@eng-dems.org.uk

Sowerby Bridge           Thomas Lumb              tomm@eng-dems.org.uk

Rastrick                         David Stevenson          dave@eng-dems.org.uk

Wibsey                          Andrew Clarke              johnengland@blueyonder.co.uk

We are all powerless unless the ‘People of England' use their votes.

Where we do not have English Democrats candidates, we would kindly ask EDP voters to please consider supporting the following Patriotic candidates:-

Brighouse                      Nick Yates

Skircoat                         Geoff Wainwright

Town                             Robert Reynolds

For further information, please contact Cllr Paul Rogan, Branch Chairman.

01422 370849, mobile 07785 220300, Email paul@rastrick.org.uk

Published and promoted by Coun Paul Rogan on behalf of Bradford & Calderdale Branch, The English Democrats Party, both at 363 Stainland Rd, Stainland, HX4 9HF.

David was born in Huddersfield and attended Hipperholme Grammar School before joining the RAF as a boy entrant. Completing 15 years Service he ran an Audio & Video repair business in Brighouse. He then spent a few years overseas and returning to England, took up social work. In 1997 he became the warden at Ward Court in Rastrick. David is a trustee of New Road Sunday School.

David says, " I joined the English Democrats because the policies are right for England and right for local people. I want to be part of an organisation which really is saying what most people are thinking. I feel sure I will be able to make a difference to local issues and, if elected, get something done about them."

"Rastrick is an area which pays substantially to Calderdale in local taxes. Why is the Library, the only public building we have, still not DDA compliant? What new facilities has the Council provided in Rastrick for young people, older people or anybody? Our two Tory Councillors seem to spend more time working against Councillor Paul Rogan than working to make things better in Rastrick. This would not be the case if I was elected, the English Democrats would have a majority in Rastrick and I can promise you, our concerns for Rastrick come before all others."

" I welcome the news that Mill Royd Street will stay open and that more appropriate development plans for the Sugden's Mill site are now possible. The English Democrats publicly and vocally campaigned for this unlike the Tory and Labour Alliance, which runs the Council. Many people find it difficult to comprehend how, two Parties supposedly so much opposed to each other, have stitched up the Council between them. Is this honest politics? Why are they even bothering to have separate candidates? A vote for either Labour or the Tories in this local election amounts to the same thing. Is Rastrick happy with more of the same? I hope not!"

"It is now clear to all that the decision to close our swimming pool before a new one was built and open to the public was wrong. Can we trust the ‘promise' that a new one will be built now?  I believe that unless we get the diggers rolling before this summer, then the six million pounds will find its way into Sowerby Bridge and Halifax. The only way to ensure this doesn't happen is for more English Democrats to be elected and putting unfaltering weight behind early progress. Those who might put their trust, and votes in others, may find an element of memory loss after May."

 "Some local politicians, better known than me, say they want to focus on care for the elderly. They use the word ‘care' glibly. In my job I understand what ‘care for the elderly' really means and, if elected, I will put my experience to good use."

"I hope the people of Rastrick will support my common sense approach and choose to vote for me in May. Last year we made a great start and with a few more votes this May, I hope we can be successful in bringing some common sense into Calderdale, better facilities in Rastrick and some fairness for our town. A lifetime of experience and dedication to our Country, Town and our people is what I have to offer. You can give me a call on 01484 402077 if you want to know more."

For further information, The English Democrats local website is http://www.eng-dems.org.uk/ 

Published and promoted by Cllr Paul Rogan on behalf of the English Democrats Party, Bradford & Calderdale Branch and David Stevenson all at 363 Stainland Rd. Stainland, HX4 9HF. Tel. 01422 370 849, Mobile 07785 220 300  Email, paul@rastrick.org.uk

Michael John CLARKE is the English Democrats candidate for the Elland ward in the local Council elections on May 1st.

Mick has lived in Elland for over 27 years and has first hand knowledge of the Town's problems. Elland people tell him they are very concerned about speeding traffic, dirty streets, local ‘eyesores' and not enough places where children can play safely. He has listened and will continue to listen to what local people are saying, especially over the contentious issue of wheelie bins. Few people in Elland appear to be in favour of them and there are several areas within the town, which cannot physically accommodate them. Moreover, having paid for a weekly service, a weekly service should be provided.

Local Issues - Local People - Local Councillor - A voice for Elland

Elland has for too long been sidelined at the expense of Upper Valley Initiatives, Halifax Town Centre projects and has instead been promised ‘jam tomorrow' from all three major Parties. The people of Elland have stated their needs several times at local meetings but are always told - that's for the future, or it won't happen in our time but in perhaps in ten or fifteen years.

Why doesn't Elland get a fairer share of the investment in Calderdale? Why must Elland always have to wait? Why haven't our Councillors been screaming for Elland?

People are frustrated and fed up of promises in fifteen years hence.

We want our town sorted now. We want action on a bus station. We want action on a Railway Station. We need better shopping facilities. We want cleaner and safer streets and we ought to be getting them NOW!

Council Performance - Michael's view

We have been told that Calderdale has become the most improved Council in the Country. Whilst this may be so, many ask what these ‘improvements' are. Why can't taxpayers see a breakdown of these improvements? We have been told that Risk Assessments have saved the Council thousands of pounds. But where has this money been saved and where have the savings been spent?  Rather than seeming to trumpet these invisible savings as a great value to the taxpayer, why not take a bold step and stop squandering our money on consultants? I believe the Council should look to the talents and abilities already possessed by its workforce and develop from within. As a former Local Government Officer, I know that an obvious and simple ‘innovation' like this will lead to better qualified and self assured employees which in turn leads to a better service for us all.

Voting

All three big Parties have consistently let the electorate of Elland down over the past two years. Within Calderdale as a whole, Tories have got into bed with Labour to clutch onto power thus negating any voter's preference for either Party. Locally the Lib-Dems have appeared to many to be more pre-occupied with personal issues, or using their positions to springboard themselves into National politics.

The English Democrats believe that local issues take precedence over Party whips and personal agendas. A vote for Michael Clarke is a vote for YOU

Tel. 01422 375489   E-mail - all.clarkes@blueyonder.co.uk

Published & promoted by Paul Rogan on behalf of Mick Clarke and the English Democrats Party, Braford & Calderdale Branch, all at 363 Stainland Rd, Stainland, HX4 9HF, Email paul@eng-dems.org.uk

John William DOWSON is the English Democrats Party candidate in Northowram and Shelf ward for the local Council elections in May 2008.

Time for a real change. Time to elect a Councillor who lives in the ward to represent the ward.

John was born in Bradford and has lived in the Shelf area all his life. He is now semi-retired with two grown up sons. He was a fabrics weaver until the mill where he had worked for over 30 years was closed down and now does a part time job between his hobbies of gardening, DIY and walking.

John was drawn to the English Democrats because he is unhappy about the inequalities within the UK. "England should have the same treatment and facilities as every where else in Britain and the only way to ensure fairness is to have an English Parliament like those in Scotland and Wales."

John is also very concerned about the local environment and feels too much is being built on what was ‘our green and pleasant land'. He believes the planning system should be changed to better protect the needs and opinions of existing residents rather than favour the profits of developers. John says "More should be done to renovate and modernise existing housing stock, especially with energy saving in mind, rather than allowing it to fall into disrepair. Calderdale has already well exceeded its new housing targets yet still more and more new schemes are passed. What are our present Councillor's doing to protect us?" take a look at the recent Planning decison on Old Godley Lane in Shibden.

It is not hard to imagine that John is very concerned about our local jobs being exported or filled by bogus asylum seekers. He says, "I fully support the English democrats call for an effective English Border Police. Those with a right to be here are of course welcome, as has always been the case, but those who should not legally be here or who have sneaked in should be dealt with quickly and properly."

"I also feel the social system has no heart or sense anymore. It needs to be changed to help more those who work hard and are law abiding, instead there is too much Political Correctness."

Published & promoted by Clr Paul Rogan on behalf of John Dowson & The B&R English Democrats Party, all at 363 Stainland rd, Stainland, HX4 9HF.

Tom Matthieson is the English Democrats Party candidate in Sowerby Bridge ward for the local Council elections in May 2008.

Time for a real change. Time to elect a Councillor who is committed to representing the views of his electors.

Thomas was born in Halifax and has lived in Calderdale all his life. He is a former pupil at Brooksbank School in Elland and presently works at a local secondary school. His hobbies are decorating and DIY which he fits in around his family commitments, including the care of his 8 months old son, Maison.

Tom joined the English Democrats because he wants to see fairness throughout the UK. "England should have the same treatment and facilities as every where else in Britain and the only way to ensure fairness is to have an English Parliament. I have family in Scotland and things are much better for them since they have had a Parliament of their own. I want to see the same for England, that's only fair."

Thomas is likewise very concerned about the local environment and feels too many flats and mill conversions have been approved by the Tory led Council. "Our green and pleasant land is being concreted over; more homes, more cars, more pollution - enough is enough". Thomas also says "I think it was a bad move for the Council to hand over all their houses to Pennine Housing. Local Councilors should have more influence over how things are run and they could then help more with tenants problems."

He says it is the same with bogus asylum seekers and other illegal workers taking our jobs. "I fully support the English Democrats call for an effective English Border Police. Those with a right to be here are of course welcome, as has always been the case, but those who should not legally be here or who have sneaked in should be sent packing."

"I also feel that social services has lost its way, Political Correctness and tick lists seem more important than people. I am a young person with a young son, when I need help, I don't need a lecture on procedures or the system."

"The sitting Tory Councillor lives just down the road from me and is in charge of the Council's ‘sweetie shop'. (Community Services Portfolio). As we have approached this election she has managed to get plenty of Council publicity and has been able to hand out lots of goodies like a new swimming pool. The Pool has been needed for a long time, not just before an election. If the Tories really cared about people in Sowerby Bridge they would have been working all year round. What about the old Council Offices? What about the old market? What about doing something to ease the horrific traffic congestion and car pollution? You put your trust in them and they only seem to care for one month out of twelve. How many people in Sowerby Bridge wanted wheelie bins every 2 weeks? How many homes in Sowerby Bridge can accommodate them? Where are all the wheelies going to be stored which all these mill conversion flats are going to need? Black Tory soldiers, all in a line, guarding the approaches?"

Published & promoted by Clr Paul Rogan on behalf of Tom Mattieson and the B&C English Democrats, all at 363 Stainland Rd, Stainland, HX4 9HF

Johnathan Paul ROGAN is the English Democrats candidate for Greetland and Stainland ward in the local Council elections in May 2008.

Time for a real change, time for young people to make a contribution.

Johnathan was brought up in Norland and Stainland and later attended Brooksbank School. He is currently studying politics and law at Huddersfield New College. He is very much in touch with the local area and with the needs of young people. His mother is a local magistrate and runs her business from West Vale, his Grandfather Ken Hardiman, a staunch supporter of Halifax Town, is well known to many of the ward's older residents. His family connections to Councillor Paul Rogan, the English Democrat's spokesman on Local Government and established ‘community campaigner' are obvious.

Johnathan is very concerned about our environment and feels more must be done at local level to encourage people to reduce the pollutions which are not only destroying the green and pleasant land of England but the world we live in too. He feels that local planning policies must be changed to reflect the views and needs of communities rather than the developers who seem to want to concrete over what is left of Country's countryside.

When asked about the issue of refuse collection, Johnathan says, "The English Democrat's policy on this just makes common sense. People in Calderdale should be given a choice between having a wheelie bin if they want and can accommodate one, or staying with the existing black bag collections. Either way, collections should remain weekly. We pay for this service in our Council Tax and it should be just that, a service and not something we have no choice about".

"I hope the people of Greetland & Stainland will support me and break the mould of their long held voting preferences locally. It is time for a real change and, a person's more senior age doesn't guarantee they will have any greater common sense. I wish to bring new ideas into our communities and after all, it is the young who will inherit tomorrow what we do today. Please help me to bring a younger person's perspective into how our local services are administered and run."

Published & promoted by Clr Paul Rogan on behalf of Johnathan Rogan and the B&C English Democrats all at 363 Stainland Rd, Stainland, HX4 9HF.

SPARE the Church of England from meddling clerics!

The Anglican movement, riven by strife over women priests, gay bishops, same sex relationships, and homosexual  marriages, now thinks its time to rewrite this nation's heritage by vetoeing the singing of hymns which sound remotely patriotic.

The trendy Dean of Southwark is to ban the singing of Jerusalam from memorial services because - wait for it - of its lack of religious content.

The Very Reverend Colin Slee thinks that patriotic fervour unleashed at the Last Night of the Proms and by the Women's Institute and England rugby union fans at Twickenham is beyond the Pale and must not dignify the hallowed interior of his cathedral.

A spokesman for Southwark Cathedral says: "The Dean of Southwark, in common with all other cathedral Deans, has the authority to decide what material is used in liturgy in their cathedral. The hymn Jerusalem is often used on national occasions, although rarely in Southwark.

"The Dean of Southwark does not believe that it is to the glory of God and it is not therefore used in private memorial services."

It may not be a devotional hymn, but neither is the National Anthem, yet both it and Jerusalam are printed in hymn books. 

It seems a crime to be English and Christian. The BBC happily shows plays where people profane, rip up bibles and make fun of our organised religion - but should any playwright dare to present a script in which the Koran and the various strands of Islam are parodied, and he'll be ostracised for life. (Incidentally, on how many more occasions will Promenaders be able to wave flags and sing Rule, Britannia! and Land of Hope and Glory in Saturday night prime time every September?).

The last time I passed Southwark Cathedral on a train from Cannon Street to London Bridge, the cross of St George was flying proudly from the flagstaff as a symbol that St George is the patron saint of England, and by extension the Church of England.

It's not going to be much long longer before the do-gooders and the don't-understand-what-makes-England-tick brigade decide that the public sighting of a cross offends non-Christian tourists and immigrants and must be replaced by something relevant 21st century life in Britain because St George is too much associated with the crusades.

Rowan Williams has been an indecisive leader of the Church of England. Perhaps that's why Tony Blair, who soon afterwards converted to Roman Catholicism, appointed Williams. The last thing a Labour government wants is a strong church giving moral leadership.

Archbishop Williams needs to put the Church of England back at the centre of English life, but antics such as those by Dean Slee will lead to even more empty pews. When was the last time you saw a 100 people at Sunday worship, or even 50?

The Church of England is, or rather should be, a pillar of state.It's the rock on which England and later the United Kingdom was able to use to turn the map of the world pink.

This country used to be able to rely on four institutions in times of difficulty - the Church of England, the Conservative Party, Marks & Spencer, and the Midland Bank.

The Midland has been swallowed whole by HSBC. Marks and Spencer and the Tories went through sticky times during the late 90s and early part of this decade but have reinvented themselves.

The Church, if you'll excuse the pun, needs a resurrection. I know of no more apt passage in the Bible than "Physician, heel thyself." 

East Anglian Daily Times