In Nineteen Eighty-Four, Orwell painted a picture of the future as a boot stamping on a human face, forever. The boot now has a name. TTIP. The Transatlantic Trade & Investment Partnership. Hammered out in secret talks between Europe and the USA, it will make democracy illegal, by giving corporations the right to sue governmentsContinue reading "The People v. The Profit"
Seeing the Light
Here’s a story from the North Somerset Times, a story with outlines applicable throughout Wessex, and maybe across other regions too: “A long-standing member of North Somerset’s Conservative party has resigned from the organisation which he believes ‘has no interest’ in the area’s issues.Arthur Terry, who is the representative for Portishead’s East Ward on NorthContinue reading "Seeing the Light"
Scotland the Bold
How’s this for a map to follow? Not perfect, indeed, but certainly perfectible, as much for Wessex as for Scotland. We too have the ability to wake up and grasp a better world. Let's give it a try…
Scared As A Bully
On 9th November 2014, Catalonia voted 4 to 1 for independence from Spain. Madrid isn’t ready to begin talks on separation. Instead, it’s determined to prosecuteCatalonia’s leading nationalists for organising the vote. Will David Cameron protest? Will there be airstrikes? On 20th November 2014, the French Parliament voted to abolish many of the historic regionsContinue reading "Scared As A Bully"
May It Be
Thanks to the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 we know that the next General Election will be on 7th May 2015. This means that small parties with few resources and little flexibility now have the same chance to plan ahead as the London-based big battalions with their ear to the ground at Westminster. WR President Colin BexContinue reading "May It Be"
Little Things Please Little Minds
The Scots recently held a referendum on independence. They discussed what currency to use, whether to join NATO, and what to do about Trident. BBC West’s televised debate on devolution this week took a different approach. At one point, the politicians on the panel were challenged with the problem of different wheelie bins on oppositeContinue reading "Little Things Please Little Minds"
We Are Not London
We know where London is, but is the rest of England also London? It seems that the London regime would like to make it so. Manchester has a proud history and a distinctive identity. Or used to. Yet Greater Manchester Transport has become ‘Transport for Greater Manchester’, because that’s the word-order they now use inContinue reading "We Are Not London"
Just Watch It
Media interest continues, BBC Bristol and BBC Wiltshire both seeking interviews this week. David Garmston from BBC Points West went to Longleat to record an interview with our veteran founder, Lord Bath for Sunday Politics West. It took up 3 minutes, 42 seconds of a 1 hour, 10 minute programme filled mainly with much lessContinue reading "Just Watch It"
Reasons to be Regional
Two common objections to regionalism are that another tier of government means more politicians and more cost. It needn’t in fact mean either. First though, let’s be a bit more broad-minded. We need government to be more effective and efficient – but to achieve that you need to invest, politically in the right people andContinue reading "Reasons to be Regional"
Silenced in Court
The Torygraphyesterday reminded us that the Conservatives may be in coalition with the Liberal Democrats but they are far from being liberal. (Democracy isn’t often their strong point either.) Theresa May’s proposal for ‘Extremism Disruption Orders’ could see courts banning speech that’s judged to be a bit too free. George Osborne has described this newContinue reading "Silenced in Court"
Wessex Regionalists 