The ‘England Constituency’:
The English Democrats are the only party putting the interests of the vast majority of the UK’s people first – the 84% who live and work in England.
We oppose mass, uncontrolled immigration to England (which accommodates over 90% of immigrants) and campaign for an effective points system based on the Australian and Canadian models. England needs a stable and sustainable population, not an ever-increasing one.
We seek withdrawal from the EU following a referendum for which we will campaign for a ‘Yes’ vote. The English Democrats have long campaigned for an English Parliament but now campaign for a referendum on dissolving the Union. A successful campaign on dissolving the Union would enable the two objectives of securing a separate parliament for the people of England and leaving the EU to be reached.
Economy:
English Democrats favour a market economy but not an unrestrained market economy. A healthy economy is a mixed economy. Our manufacturing sector should be expanded in order to halt the trend towards an over-reliance on service industries. We campaign for English jobs for English workers, and for more effective education in furtherance of this.
Local Economy:
English Democrats support not only the rebuilding and repair of the West Country’s infrastructure (including roads, railways, bridges, and flood defences), but also extending them. The nature of the terrain in the West country, especially Cornwall, makes increased use of helicopters and other air transport more cost-effective.
English Democrats oppose fracking as being too dangerous for a small, heavily populated land such as ours. The mining of tin, coal and clay were once features of the West country’s economy. With advances in technology, we support a review of these activities to ascertain their viability in contemporary conditions and mindful of climate change considerations (minimising carbon emissions etc).
Farming:
We regard the supply of food as a security matter, and favour greatly increased support for farmers. Moreover, what remains of our beautiful countryside is part of our culture and heritage and, equally important, a calming escape from our sprawling cities and urban areas. It should enjoy the care and protection of the State and not be viewed by ministers as just another asset which can be developed, in cavalier fashion for short term economic gain, to the detriment of people, landscape, wildlife and farming.
We regret the ending of dredging and other systematic flood prevention measures on the Somerset Levels and elsewhere in the West country, and seek permanent schemes enhanced by techniques acquired in the Netherlands.
Fishing:
We are conscious that a long established part of the West country’s life has been a vibrant fishing industry, and would seek to restore that, a task made easier by withdrawal from the EU.
Defence:
Given the unreliability of Scotland for our Defence needs, we favour restoration of warship production in Devonport and Portsmouth and also re-opening naval repair facilities in Gibraltar. Similarly, we support relocation of other Defence work to Bristol. In addition to the economic benefits to be gained by ‘home supply’, we believe that security is enhanced by ensuring that our Defence requirements are satisfied by being met in England, rather than outsourced to other countries which have different priorities.
This policy alone will have huge implications for eastern Cornwall and west Devon. If a fraction of the £10 billion expenditure on Faslane’s infrastructure is replicated in the greater Plymouth area, the result will be a massive boost to the the West Country’s economy for too long neglected and subordinated to Scotland’s interests. Not only will there be increased opportunities for employment with decent levels of pay to bolster the local economy, but improvements in transport and communications facilities.
English Parliament & Separation:
The English Democrats have long campaigned for an English Parliament and now seek independence for England as a means of achieving this goal. Scotland is free to hold a referendum on separation from England, and England should be no less free to hold her own referendum on this subject.
Free Speech:
The English Democrats share the public concerns as to the harm caused to our society by political correctness. We unreservedly reject the self-righteousness of political correctness and condemn the ideology as an evil; its purpose is to stifle debate and is thus incompatible with free speech and a democratic society.
Gibraltar:
The English Democrats policy here is unequivocal. In the event of English Independence the English Democrats would offer to guarantee the right of self-determination to current British Overseas Territories, such self-determination could include the option of becoming English Overseas Territories which, of course, include Gibraltar.
We believe that Gibraltar may have an increased role to play in England’s Defence arrangements given increasing resistance in Scotland to accommodating our nuclear defence facilities, which could include restoring warship maintenance and repair in Gibraltar’s dockyard facilities. Naturally, such expenditure would enhance Gibraltar’s economy and independence from Spain. The number of provocative Spanish maritime incursions would be significantly reduced if not eliminated.
We will renew efforts to include Gibraltar in any EU aviation legislation or other international arrangements designed to harmonise air traffic control. With the very serious safety considerations in mind, we regard the Spanish Government’s action in vetoing the inclusion of Gibraltar as particularly hostile, even vicious.