A frequent objection to decentralisation is that small-scale jurisdictions are prone to takeover by well-organised, highly motivated bands of fanatics. History furnishes examples, from Savonarola in Florence to the Anabaptists in Münster and the Calvinists in Geneva.The threat is real but centralisation does not remove it. All that it does is magnify its consequences. ThereContinue reading "Embracing All"
Everyone’s Fault But
More ‘creative thinking’ from the banksters and their buddies...And note well the comment from one respondent here, especially towards the end. Draining the Labour Party of its strength remains THE key task for genuine radicals today, including in Wessex, where it has no conceivable future if not as a parasite clinging to more powerful forcesContinue reading "Everyone’s Fault But"
Ill Repute
Eric Pickles was interviewed on Channel 4 today, defending the right of local councils to begin their meetings with Christian prayers. The Communities Secretary is often a half-hearted localist but half a heart is better than most politicians can muster. He is, of course, right that it should be for councils to make their ownContinue reading "Ill Repute"
Divide & Strengthen
Readers may recall that we drew attention to a long-standing attempt by the London regime to hamper the growth of Wessex consciousness. That is to say, the exclusion of regional flags from the list of those that may be flown without official permission. Fortunately, Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has listened enough to issue a discussionContinue reading "Divide & Strengthen"
Realising Some Virtual Potential
A Cornish blog at the weekend called attention to the fact that the debate on the UK’s constitutional future is now on the move once more. Scotland may go it alone. The North wants recognition. Will Wessex be left behind?It’s up to us. We do not, as a matter of principle, respond to blogs, websitesContinue reading "Realising Some Virtual Potential"
Jam Tomorrow: New Labour and the New Jerusalem
The defeat of New Labour’s assembly plan for the north-east corner of Northumbria, in 2004’s referendum is often claimed as proof that regionalism is finished. Advocates of a triumphalist English Parliament cite polls showing support for regional assemblies now trailing at 9%. They forget that polls used to show a thumping majority in favour, UNTILContinue reading "Jam Tomorrow: New Labour and the New Jerusalem"
Just Say No
Margaret Atwood’s dystopian novel, The Handmaid’s Tale includes a scene of community punishment. Not punishment IN the community but punishment BY the community. The oppressed Handmaids are goaded into participating in the execution of enemies of the regime, ‘particicution’ to use the precise term. For the fascist-fundamentalist state in the novel, the method of executionContinue reading "Just Say No"
The Consolation Prize
On Thursday, voters in Salford decided in favour of having a directly elected mayor. It was also a local decision to call the referendum in the first place. Bristolians are being forced to hold a poll whether they like it or not, under the so-called Localism Act. The £475,000 it will cost has to beContinue reading "The Consolation Prize"
Whose Regions?
An earlier post this week examined the consequences for Wessex if Scotland votes to dissolve the union. It could be a unique opportunity to demand and to create a new England, with regionalism and decentralisation built in to its fabric. More likely, it could usher in a new age of political repression, economic polarisation andContinue reading "Whose Regions?"
Whose Poet?
“'William Barnes, you say? What possible relevance could he have today?' 'Well, I suppose people who like Dorset might be interested, or some local historian or Wessex regionalist, but as for me…'. So goes the reasoning of many. It is false reasoning...”Fr Andrew Phillips (2003), in the foreword to a reprint of Barnes’ Views ofContinue reading "Whose Poet?"
Wessex Regionalists 