PaulRogan

This week we have the Budget. We also have news that mortgages are costing 9% more and green petrol is up nearly 20%. A few weeks ago Council taxes were increased, now it's the Governments turn. Wouldn't a more appropriate word in English for Budget in this sense be ‘Government Tax Day'?

and should now cost the taxpayer less!

The EU Lisbon Treaty has been passed by Parliament. Much as expected but never the less my heart was greatly saddened when I read the press reports which ensued.

The Liberal-Democrat Leadership is right to be now campaigning for a full referendum on EU membership. However, unless they support the present vote in Parliament to have a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, this call is disingenuous and merely electioneering. If the idea is to curry favour with the electorate at this May's local and London elections, it is quite disingenuous. If the thought is focused much further ahead, at the next General Election, who knows when that will be, or at next years Euro-Election campaign it is but early electioneering.

If I have got it wrong and indeed, the idea is genuinely to enable the People to engage in the EU debate and afford the electorate a choice, then I appologise and hope they will vote accordingly in the lobbies.

The English Democrats stand firmly behind the principle of giving the People of England a voice, not just on this very important issue, but on many more issues.

CROSS OF ST GEORGE BANNED FROM SCHOOLS ACROSS ENGLAND

The English flag, the Cross of St George, is reportedly being banned from schools across England.

The 78-page report, "Childhood Wellbeing", by Counterpoint Research prepared for "Children's Secretary", Ed Balls stated: "The general perception among parents was that it was no longer acceptable to be proud to be English." It said it had heard of "many" cases of PC-mad teachers banning the flag."

It also says: "There was also a perception that it was unacceptable to be proud of English culture and Englishness, which had an impact on their children's perceptions of themselves, as well as their environment (they were not a priority for national or local government spending)."

And:- "Many of the groups, both upmarket and downmarket, those who contained only white English, and those who contained BMEs, felt that it was not longer permitted to be proud to be English.  There were many stories told of how their children had been sent home for wearing clothing containing the Cross of St George, or being reprimanded for having an English flag on their van.  The general perception amongst respondents (parents and carers in particular) was that it was no longer acceptable to be proud to be English.

"[His employer] had a go at me and made me take it in, during the World Cup, I ask you.  Every single other nation was proud to be flying their flag, and they made us take ours down.  What does that tell you about England nowadays?" (Father, Family Depth, eldest child in KS3, Ripley).

And:- "There was also a perception that Health and Safety regulations had also impaired our ability to publicly celebrate English traditions.  The lack of May Day celebrations, street parties and other community events was bemoaned, and blamed on legislation framed for the lowest common denominator."

The English Democrats are campaigning to rebuild our traditional sense of community and for England and the English Nation.

Robin Tilbrook, the Chairman of the English Democrats said:- "This agenda is of the Government's making.  It is only in England that "Britishness" lessons are being taught - this agenda is not really about Britishness but is part of Gordon Brown's "Brownishness" agenda to protect his own career as de facto and unelected First Minister of England."

"English history should be taught in English schools and St George's Day should be England's National Holiday."

"If the English Democrats are elected England will have a parliament over which the English flag would fly proudly every day, as it would over every public building in every county in England."

The whole report can be found at:- http://www.dfes.gov.uk/research/data/uploadfiles/DCSF-RW031%20v2.pdf

There is now a campaign to take Berwick out of England and put into Scotland. Once Berwick is gone, will Scottish eyes then fall upon York? After all, York was the English staging post for our many attacks on Scotland in the past, William Wallace conquered it and in order to protect Scotland's borders, it would be a very handy City to have.

Firstly, how should the Berwick question be decided? By referendum? Should we ask the people of Berwick if that's what they want? With Scotland doing already so much better than England in so many ways, better health care, better schooling, free tuition fees, it might not be a big surprise if the people of Berwick voted with their wallets. Especially when last week PM Gordon apparently feels it is only right for more spending power to be allowed to the Scottish Parliament, they can be expected to be even better off.

Perhaps we should ask the wider public. Ask the people of England if they want to cede one of their towns. Ask the people of Scotland if they even want Berwick. No, I forgot, even when absolutely promised a referendum on moving closer into the EU, PM Brown has decided we won't get one after all. Not much chance of a referendum then. No doubt instead, a secret committee appointed by the Government, which will of course have public consultation but as usual, take no notice of it, will make the decision.

Seems we can no longer turn to our armed forces to protect our sovereignty either. The British Army finds that the one bootlace left to them has now been cut in half. Already well-overstretched policing civil wars and so forth, getting proper gear, including enough bootlaces is to be denied them too. Never mind our brave boys, you are now, like the rest of us taxpayers £3,500 better off as the value of the Northern Rock hits the Country's assets. Oh, or is it a liability?