PaulRogan

Recently re-elected Conservative Cllr Reason, referred to by many Courier letter writers as Councillor Bin-Bags, has never made any secret of his happy days supporting the Dukes when Westlakes, Jawa and Japs roared powerfully around the Shay. Skircoat Tory Cllr Horsfall also claims to have enjoyed the dope-fuelled spectacle too, but neither are so quick to reminisce about the flying grit and ciders as, also recently re-elected Liberal, Cllr Watson of Greetland.

David Roberts is the English Democrats candidate in the high profile Crewe and Nantwich parliamentary by-election.  The election takes place on 22^nd May.

David, who is of Tushingham, Cheshire said:- "I am delighted to stand for the English Democrats.  The English Democrats are the English equivalent of Plaid Cymru and the Scottish National Party. In this election only the English Democrats are standing up for England and English interests"

"I am optimistic that the people of Crewe and Nantwich will want to use this opportunity to deliver a message to the political establishment about how unfair their treatment of England is." 

"The Crewe and Nantwich constituency is in the same district as the village of Audlem which recently voted by c.70% to become Welsh in order to get access to all the benefits available to the Welsh people, click here>

The English village that would rather be Welsh - This Britain, UK - The Independent

"Local people are now well aware, and the Labour candidate, Tamsin Dunwoody, should be well aware, of the different treatment of Wales and England - because she lives in Wales and was until recently a Labour member of the Welsh National Assembly!"

"The English Democrats do not advocate Cheshire becoming Welsh but they do argue that the people of Crewe and Nantwich, Cheshire and England should have fair and equal treatment with the people of Wales.  This can only happen for England if we have our own Parliament, First Minister and Government, which is what the English Democrats are campaigning for".

Robin Tilbrook, Chairman, English Democrats' Quires Green, Willingale, Ongar, Essex, CM5 0QP. Tel: 01277 896000, Fax: 01277 896050, Mobile: 07778 553395, Email: robintilbrook@aol.com

Courts grant judicial review of Government's broken referendum promise

Businessman Stuart Wheeler has won the first stage of his campaign to sue Gordon Brown over his attempt to break his promise to hold a referendum on the EU Constitution. 

At the High Court last Friday the Hon. Mr Justice Owen ruled that Stuart Wheeler had an "arguable" case and granted him a judicial review.  Wheeler's barrister, Rabinder Singh QC, argued that the Government had promised a referendum on the EU Constitution and that his client therefore had a "legitimate expectation" that he should be able to vote in one on the Lisbon Treaty - which is virtually identical.

Reflecting on the Government's claim that the Lisbon Treaty is completely different to the rejected EU Constitution, the Hon. Mr Justice Owen noted that "it is plainly arguable that there is no material difference between their provisions".  He said: "The obligation to hold the promised referendum cannot be avoided simply by the fact that it now bears a different name."

The judicial review will take place on 9 and 10 June.  If the courts were to rule against the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary, they could instruct the Government to put a new bill before Parliament which provides for a referendum.

In an apparent U turn, Labour in Scotland is now gung-ho for a referendum on Scotland's future. Perhaps the lesson of May 1^st in England has sharpened their will to listen to the People. Clearly the ruling ‘Labour Raj' in England are not too keen on the idea, turkies don't vote for Christmas do they?

The headline article is on the BBC news webpage: -

BBC NEWS | Scotland | Alexander makes referendum threat

In all of this, it's great that yet another Party is looking after Scotland's interests. But who is looking after England's interests? None of those who won in last weeks local elections thats for sure!

In order to concentrate on the Yorkshire Area Campaign for next year's Euro Elections, I have stepped down as Chairman of the Brighouse Forward Partnership. The Board, through the Tourism, Leisure and Regeneration Committee (TLC) approached Nick Yates and asked him to take up the role in the interim until the AGM later in the year, when the Partnership may choose to ratify his Chairmanship or receive other nominations.

Nick has been pleased to accept the Chair.

TLC recognises the wealth of experience and dedication, which Nick can bring for the benefit of Brighouse Area, Town and the Partnership.

Whilst handing the reins over to Nick entirely, I will continue to be an active member of both TLC and B4d.

Was last weeks vote really about local issues or a judgment on the performance of local Councillors?

It seems there was only one factor on the electorate's radar. Add more Blue to get less Brown.

Waste collection, education, libraries, public services and facilities, even Country were minor considerations, if considered at all.

It was not only the ‘Brown' Party which suffered. Smaller Parties and Independents have all taken the hit too. What seems most unfair to many, from Livingston down to all the hard working Councillors is that they have to carry the can for the man who is getting off Scot-free.

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.