That it should have taken me so long to get round to the “local” picture in the local elections – which took place in May this year – is not ideal; however, the story remains worth telling. While the period from May to now has at times shown less activity from the Wessex Regionalists, theContinueContinue reading “On the Local Elections, pt. 3: The Local Picture”
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Independents for Wessex – Local Elections 2025 – Wessex and Local Government Survey results
WR’s involvement in this year’s local elections commenced with our sending of a survey to independent and minor-party candidates in the polled areas, on matters of Wessex identity, devolution, and the values of the Party. What proceeds in this blog post is an overview of the findings of our survey. This will be followed upContinueContinue reading “Independents for Wessex – Local Elections 2025 – Wessex and Local Government Survey results”
Labour At One: What Comes Next?
As the Starmer government passes its first anniversary of holding power, there has been much looking back and taking stock of their achievements in the past year. In the court of public opinion, however, Labour have little to boast of, with the surge of Reform UK’s polling numbers, and their strong showing at the localContinueContinue reading “Labour At One: What Comes Next?”
‘You Can Have Any Colour Devolution As Long As It’s Red’
Three years ago, the people of Bristol were offered a choice: stick with elected mayors, or switch to a committee system. They opted for the latter in a city-wide referendum, and the change was implemented last year. Now, the government has overruled them, declaring that “councils run on the committee system must switch [or switchContinueContinue reading “‘You Can Have Any Colour Devolution As Long As It’s Red’”
On the Local Elections, pt. 2: The Regional Picture
At the local elections, while Reform U.K. painted the national map turquoise, the picture in Wessex was one of greys and yellows. This was because of the second success story of results day: the Liberal Democrats’ (Lib. Dem.) resurgence in the South West, and the partial success of Ed Davey’s plans to replace the ConservativesContinueContinue reading “On the Local Elections, pt. 2: The Regional Picture”
On the Local Elections, pt. 1: The National Picture
The main mediatic talking point of the local elections has been the success of Reform U.K. Farage’s party have now solidified their position, from being the ‘opposition apparent’ in many Labour-won seats in 2024, to looking capable of winning a general election in 2029. It is important to keep in mind, however, that these localContinueContinue reading “On the Local Elections, pt. 1: The National Picture”
Independents for Wessex – Local Elections 2025
On the 13th of April, Wessex Regionalists sent an email out to independent and minor party candidates for 2025’s upcoming local elections and by-elections. The email included a link to a Google Forms survey, inviting candidates to answer questions about Wessex, regionalism, devolution, and politics. We will, in due course, lay out the overall findingsContinueContinue reading “Independents for Wessex – Local Elections 2025”
AGA 2025 – a brief report
Wessex Regionalists met for our Annual General Assembly this year on March 15th. The conference this year was held in Weston-super-Mare and attracted members from near and a far – as close as the town itself and from as far as Berkshire. Last year’s Council was re-elected en bloc and, in the Council meeting immediatelyContinueContinue reading “AGA 2025 – a brief report”
Devolution Is Not Regionalism
Originally published on theonlywayiswessex.net. As a party which places devolution at the core of our identity, we should be delighted that the government has announced a devolution bill as part of the king’s speech, at the opening of the current parliament, right? Well… First, a short history lesson. During the Blair administration, there was saidContinueContinue reading “Devolution Is Not Regionalism”
Notes on a Riot Averted
Originally published on theonlywayiswessex.net. The recent period of civil unrest can hardly pass without comment by a political stakeholder such as the Wessex Regionalist Party, especially when some of the protests have occurred within the Wessex region itself, as defined by our Party. Attending what would have been a counter-protest on the northernmost fringes ofContinueContinue reading “Notes on a Riot Averted”
Wessex Regionalists 