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English Democrats

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English Democrats
LeaderVacant
ChairmanRobin Tilbrook
Founded2002 (2002)
HeadquartersNorwich, Norfolk, England
IdeologyEnglish nationalism, National conservatism,
Federalism,
Euroscepticism,
English independence.
National affiliationAlliance for Democracy
European affiliationNone
European Parliament groupNone
International affiliationNone
ColoursWhite & red
Local government[1][2]
2 / 19,385
Website
http://www.voteenglish.org/

The English Democrats Party is an English federalist political party, committed to the formation of a devolved English Parliament with at least the same powers as those granted to the Scottish Parliament. The English Democrats consider themselves the English equivalent of the Scottish National Party in Scotland and Plaid Cymru in Wales,[3] however they are routinely described by the media as right-wing. [4][5] At the English local elections in June 2009, the party's candidate won the Mayoral Election for the Metropolitan Borough of Doncaster.[6]

Formation

In 1998, and in response to calls for the devolution of power to Scotland and Wales, Robin Tilbrook formed the "English National Party", with the aim of reforming the defunct English National Party which had been founded in the 1960s, but had ceased operating as a party by 1981. The English National Party formed by Robin Tilbrook included members of the Campaign for an English Parliament, a pressure group that lobbies for a devolved English Parliament.

The party was relaunched as the "English Democrats Party" in September 2002, after merging with several other smaller political parties. In October 2004, the party merged with the Reform UK Party, which was a small splinter group from the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP). The New England Party merged with the English Democrats in February 2007.

The English Democrats are co-founders of the English Constitutional Convention.[7]

In December 2004, it was rumoured that Robert Kilroy-Silk, the former United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) Member of the European Parliament (MEP) had entered into negotiation to join the English Democrats,[8] however Kilroy-Silk went on to form Veritas.

Organisation

The English Democrats have an England-wide network of area, county and some Borough officers. In April 2006, it announced full national representative coverage of the nine English regions. In addition to the twenty-person National Council including nine area chairmen, there are 14 National Sub-Committees to expedite progress in the party development.

The party claimed a total membership of 1,011 at the end of 2004, and 1,202 at the end of 2005.[9] The BBC reported 1,300 members in 2007.[10]

The national chairman of the party is Robin Tilbrook, a solicitor, who attended Wellington College, Berkshire, and is a former member of the Conservative Party. He has stood for the party twice in European Parliament elections; for London in 2004, and the East of England in 2009.[citation needed]

Annual Conference

The Party holds a two-day annual conference each year in September; the first day is dedicated to members only matters, the second day is open to all those wishing to learn more about the English Democrats.

Election performances

2003

The first person to stand for the English Democrats was Gary Cowd, who stood in Rushmoor—West Heath Ward in North Hampshire[11] in a Council by-election in May 2003. Cowd was an active member of the English Democrats and a National Council member. In 2006 he left the English Democrats.

2004

The English Democrats stood candidates for election in the 2004 European Parliament election in five of the nine regions of England. Their 2004 election canvassing leaflet featured the slogan, "Not left, not right, just English". Their candidates won 130,056 votes in total.

A month later, the party stood at the 2004 Birmingham Hodge Hill by-election. The EDP candidate received 277 votes, or 1.4% of the votes cast.[12]

On 30 September a by-election was held at Hartlepool. The EDP candidate polled 41 votes or 0.1% of votes cast.[13]

2005

The party's slogan for the 2005 general election was "English Democrats—Putting England First!" In total, the English Democrats fielded 25 candidates for the May 2005 general election,[14] including Staffordshire South where the election was delayed until June due to the death of a candidate. The party withdrew their candidate in North Norfolk and endorsed the Conservative Party candidate, Iain Dale, as he had "taken the issues of English discrimination seriously".[15]

Garry Bushell the former Sun journalist and currently the Daily Star Sunday TV critic, became the most high profile candidate for the English Democrats, standing in the Greenwich and Woolwich constituency in London.[16] Bushell's 1,216 votes (a 3.4% share for that constituency) beat the UKIP candidate, Stan Gain, who secured 2.0% (709 votes)[17], represented the party's best showing for the election; though this was still a 5th place performance.

In June 2005, Bushell also stood in Staffordshire South, where he received 643 votes (2.5%) coming fifth out of eight candidates.[18]

Crowborough Town Council by-election

In November 2005 the party achieved its first electoral success when Paul Adams was elected to Crowborough Town Council, polling 120 votes, or 56.8% of the poll, on a turnout of 10%.[19]

2007

In the 2007 local elections, seventy-eight candidates stood for election in boroughs and districts across fifteen English counties, including twenty in Dartford and ten in Portsmouth. All were unsuccessful.

Welsh Assembly elections

In line with the English Democrats stance on the status of Monmouthshire, thirteen English Democrat candidates contested the Welsh Assembly elections in the South East Wales region, and the constituencies of Monmouth (fifth with 2.7%), Newport East (sixth 2.2%) and Newport West (fifth 2.7%).[20] The party received 0.9% of the vote on the regional list.

2008

London mayoral election

In July 2007 Garry Bushell was nominated as Mayoral candidate for the English Democrats for the 2008 London mayoral and Assembly elections with the campaign slogan "Serious About London".[21] In January 2008 Bushell stepped down as the Mayoral candidate due to work commitments and Fathers 4 Justice founder Matt O'Connor was selected by the English Democrats in his place with his campaign expected to start on 14 February. His campaign web site voteenglish.org was launched on 31 January 2008.[22][23] A Party Political Broadcast for O'Connor's campaign was broadcast on 11 April.

One week before the Mayoral election, on 25 April, Matt O'Connor announced to Vanessa Feltz and the BBC that he was dropping out of the Mayoral race. He cited his reasons as being due to a lack of support within the EDP on St George's Day and lack of press coverage[24] as well as the party's cooperation with far-right group England First [25]. The English Democrats released a press statement on their website in response to his resignation voicing disappointment at his decision to quit the contest.[26] O'Connor received 10,695 first preference votes (representing 0.44% of the votes cast) in the mayoral contest, ranking ninth out of ten candidates, he received 73,538 second preference votes 3.67%, ranking eighth.[27]

2008 English local elections

The party fielded candidates in 12 district council elections. None were elected. The party's best results were when it came second to the Conservatives: in the Finningley ward of Doncaster and in three wards in Rochford.[28]

2008 Haltemprice and Howden by-election

The English Democrats fielded a candidate, Joanne Robinson, in the by-election forced by the resignation of former shadow home secretary David Davis from the House of Commons. Because of the issues raised by David Davis in the by-election, parties other than the Conservatives, such as Labour, Liberal Democrats, United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) and British National Party (BNP) chose not to stand. Joanne Robinson ended up coming in third, with 1,714 votes (7.2%), 44 votes fewer than the Green candidate received in second place. Of the 26 candidates she was one of only three to win back her deposit. This result is both the highest place and percentage of the votes won by any English Democrat candidate in a parliamentary election or parliamentary by-election.[29]

2009

2009 English local elections

The English Democrats fielded 84 county council and local authority candidates with particular focus in Bristol, Essex, Hampshire, Kent, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Wiltshire, and Lancashire.[30][citation needed]

The party had an unexpected success when Peter Davies, its candidate for Mayor of Doncaster, was elected. Having received 16,961 votes in the first round, 189 votes behind the independent Michael Maye, Davies was returned in the second count on transfers of second preference votes, with 25,344 votes to 24,990.[6][31]

2009 European Parliament election

The English Democrats contested the elections to the European Parliament held in June 2009. They fielded a full slate of candidates across the nine English European parliament constituencies. On 18 May 2009 the English Democrats broadcast their first national Party Election Broadcast.[32] They came seventh in the election in England (ninth in the UK as a whole) with 279,801 votes or 1.8%, a rise from the 0.7% they received at the previous elections in 2004. The English Democrats do not stand in Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales, and their vote across England in 2009 was 2.1%, an increase of 1.3% yet still did not keep their deposits except Yorkshire and the Humber where they gained 2.6% of the vote. None of the English Democrats' candidates were elected; the English Democrats were the highest polling party across the UK not to have an MEP elected.

Councillors

As of May 2010 the English Democrats had one elected mayor, five parish or town councillors and two district councillors (elected as Conservatives).

The 2005 victory of Paul Adams at the Crowborough Town Council by-election was the party's first success in a contested election. He retained his seat in an uncontested election in May 2007. The party gained five more town or parish council seats (in uncontested elections) at the same time.

English Democrats holding local government seats
Category Number Local authorities Notes
Elected mayor 1
(2009–date) 		Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council Elected 2009[6]
Metropolitan borough councillor 1
(2006–2010) 		Member of Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council Elected as a Conservative in 2006[33] Retired 2010
Unitary authority councillors 3
(2009–2010);
2
(2010–date) 		2 members of Peterborough City Council (2009–date) Elected as Conservatives in 2008[34], defected to English Democrats in October 2009[35]
1 member of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council (2009 – 2010) Elected as an England First Party councillor 2006, joined For Darwen 2007, became independent March 2008[36], joined English Democrats April 2009.[37] Retired 2010
Town and parish councils 1
(2005 – 2007);
5
(2007 – date) 		1 member of Crowborough Town Council Elected at by-election in November 2005,[19] re-elected unopposed 2007
4 members of various parish councils Elected unopposed in 2007 or defected

2010

General election

The English Democrat party stood 107 candidates in the 2010 general election.[38] 106 is the minimum number required to qualify for a Party Election Broadcast. The EDP received 64,826 votes, or 0.3% of the vote in England, and 0.2% of the vote in the United Kingdom. No candidates were elected.[39] For detailed election results see English Democrats Party election results.

Local elections

The party also stood in the local elections on May 6, but did not publish a list of candidates.[citation needed] The two sitting EDP councillors on Calderdale and Blackburn with Darwen councils retired, and the party did not nominate any candidates to contest the seats.[40] [41]

Policies

The English Democrats publish a manifesto each year with alterations voted for by their membership at an Autumn Annual General Meeting and occasional Spring EGM.

English Parliament

The party contends that the Scottish Parliament and the National Assembly for Wales provide a voice to those two constituent nations of the United Kingdom (UK) that England lacks. The party proposes to convene the first exclusively English Parliament since the initial Laws in Wales Act 1535 through one of three methods:

  1. By converting the current House of Commons of the United Kingdom into a devolved English parliament within the asymmetrical devolution framework currently existing in the United Kingdom,
  2. By creating a new legislature with equal status to the Scottish Parliament and a more powerful Welsh Parliament within a re-constituted federal or confederal United Kingdom,
  3. As an independent, sovereign legislature for the re-founded state of England, upon dissolution of the Union, most likely to be created by independence for Scotland and Wales.

The party has rejected suggestions that non-English MPs in the House of Commons should be barred from voting on England-specific matters, on the basis that this would lead to there being, in effect, two parliaments in the same building and that this would be problematic.[42]

The party is against the establishment of regional assemblies in the Regions of England.

European Union

The party favours deciding the UK's future relationship with the European Union by a nationwide, multiple choice, referendum, which would include the option to withdraw from it entirely. The English Democrats are committed to campaign on the "Withdrawal" side of any referendum. English Democrats policy is to maintain free trade arrangements by rejoining the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).

Traditional counties

The party is supportive of historic counties and has called for a referendum on whether Monmouthshire should be part of England as opposed to Wales:

"The English Democrats Party consider that the position of Monmouthshire in Wales is anomalous, as historically it had mostly been part of England until recent boundary re-organisation. Accordingly, we would wish to see a county referendum in Monmouthshire as to whether the people of Monmouthshire would wish to be treated as being part of Wales or part of England."[43]

House of Lords

In April 2006, the English Democrats became members of the Elect the Lords Campaign, whether the English Parliament is within a Federal UK or simply as a Devolved Parliament within the current UK structure.

Immigration

The party's manifesto states that "we need to change immigration policy so that it better reflects the needs and wishes of the English people". A points system for entry to the UK, based on the Canadian and Australian models, is advocated. The party's manifesto also suggests that the country should withdraw from international conventions on asylum and immigration.

Nationalist connections

The English Democrats shared a platform in January 2007 with the Scottish National Party (SNP) on the BBC Newsnight programme in a "Act of Disunion" debate[44] and on 1 May 2007 on the Internet television station 18 Doughty Street on the 300th anniversary of the signing of the Acts of Union in 1707.[45]

On 2 May 2008 the East London Advertiser, the EDP denied any BNP link and insisted they are non-racist, campaigning on an English identity in the same way as the Welsh and Scots, with Robin Tilbrook stating, "There are no links with the BNP at all. We even stood against them in the elections and have non-English ethnic candidates. We're not about race, but campaign on English identity. Home is where the heart is. Colour is not relevant."[46] However, they have been criticised by former London Mayoral candidate Matt O'Connor for links to extreme-right groups.[25]

Reception

Norman Lamb, a Liberal Democrat MP, has said that he was attracted by the thinking of the English Democrats, and he believed that they are not about being right wing or left wing, but about being democratic.[15] Dave Hill in The Guardian described them as "populist campaigners for an English parliament" with "nationalist leanings".[47]

See also

References

  1. ^ Keith Edkins (30 November 2009). "Local Council Political Compositions". Retrieved 2 December 2009.
  2. ^ Nicholas Whyte (10 May 2005). "The 2005 Local Government Elections in Northern Ireland". Northern Ireland Social and Political Archive. Retrieved 2 December 2009.
  3. ^ "Democrats want to be 'English SNP'". BBC News. 25 September 2009. Retrieved 2 May 2010.
  4. ^ http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/british-pm-vows-to-fight-on-20090606-bz0z.html
  5. ^ http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/Mayoral-sensation-as-town-picks.5341270.jp
  6. ^ a b c Paul, Celia (5 June 2009). "English Democrat is new Mayor of Doncaster". London: The Independent. Retrieved 5 June 2009.
  7. ^ "Devolution for England - The way forward". English Constitution Convention. Retrieved 8 August 2007.
  8. ^ Hyde, Marina (14 December 2004). "Diary". London: The Guardian. Retrieved 8 August 2007. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  9. ^ "English Democrats Party Statement of Accounts" (PDF). Electoral Commission. 31 December 2005. Retrieved 8 August 2007.
  10. ^ "Small parties in final local push". BBC News. 2 May 2007. Retrieved 2009-05-02.
  11. ^ http://www.gethampshire.co.uk/news/s/36163_independents_rushmoor_challenge___by_john_walton Gethampshire.co.uk
  12. ^ "Lib Dems snatch Labour seat". bbc.co.uk. 16 July 2004. Retrieved 15 May 2008.
  13. ^ "Labour narrowly wins Hartlepool". bbc.co.uk. 1 October 2004. Retrieved 15 May 2008.
  14. ^ Kimber, Richard (2 February 2007). "UK General Election candidates 2005: Number of candidates by party". Political Science Resources. Retrieved 23 January 2008.
  15. ^ a b "English Democrat party bows out". Eastern Daily Press. 30 March 2005. Retrieved 2009-05-02.
  16. ^ Kimber, Richard (2 February 2007). "UK General Election candidates 2005 - English Democrats". Political Science Resources. Retrieved 8 August 2007.
  17. ^ "Greenwich and Woolwich". London: The Guardian. 2005. Retrieved 8 August 2007. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  18. ^ "Result: Staffordshire South". bbc.co.uk. 24 June 2005. Retrieved 8 August 2007.
  19. ^ a b Blanshard, Heather (25 November 2005). "St.Johns Ward - Declaration of result of poll" (PDF). Crowborough Town Council. Retrieved 8 August 2007.
  20. ^ "Welsh assembly election 2007". bbc.co.uk. 21 March 2007. Retrieved 8 August 2007.
  21. ^ "Gary Bushell Serious about London". English Democrats Party. Retrieved 8 August 2007.
  22. ^ "Fathers 4 Justice founder to enter Mayoral race". London Evening Standard. 9 January 2008. Retrieved 20 January 2008.
  23. ^ "London Elects: The Candidates". londonelects.org.uk. Retrieved 31 March 2008.
  24. ^ "Matt O'Connor quits Mayoral contest". bbc.co.uk. 25 April 2008. Retrieved 25 April 2008.
  25. ^ a b "O'Connor accuses English Democrats of BNP link after quitting race for Mayor". East London Advertiser. 25 April 2008. Retrieved 13 May 2009.
  26. ^ "Matt O'Connor's shock resignation press release". English Democrats Party. 25 April 2008. Retrieved 25 April 2008.
  27. ^ "London mayoral election 2008". bbc.co.uk. 6 May 2008. Retrieved 15 May 2008.
  28. ^ "English Democrats Election Results". English Democrats Party. 2 May 2008. Retrieved 15 May 2008.
  29. ^ "Haltemprice and Howden". Politics : Ask Aristotle. London: The Guardian. 2 May 2008. Retrieved 11 July 2008. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  30. ^ [1]
  31. ^ "Mayoral Election 2009 Results". Doncaster Council. 5 June 2009. Retrieved 2009-06-05.
  32. ^ "English Democrats Party European election broadcast". BBC. 18 May 2009. Retrieved June 9, 2009.
  33. ^ "Councillor Details". Calderdale Council. Retrieved 19 November 2009.
  34. ^ "2008 City Council Results" (PDF). Peterborough City Council. 2008. Retrieved 19 November 2009.
  35. ^ Asha Mehta (9 October 2009). "Councillors defect to English Democrats". The Evening Telegraph.
  36. ^ "Councillor quits For Darwen party". Lancashire Telegraph. 11 March 2008.
  37. ^ "Blackburn councillor joins English Democrats to stand against BNP". Lancashire Telegraph. 29 April 2009.
  38. ^ "English Democrats Field More candidates than the SNP and Plaid Cymru". English Democrats Party. 2010-04-22. Retrieved 2010-04-22.
  39. ^ "Results: England". Election 2010. BBC. Retrieved 7 May 2010.
  40. ^ "Notice of election". Calderdale Council. 29 March 2010. Retrieved 7 May 2010.
  41. ^ "Local elections candidates 2010". Blackburn with Darwen Council. Retrieved 7 May 2010.
  42. ^ "No English parliament - Falconer". bbc.co.uk. 10 March 2006. Retrieved 8 August 2007.
  43. ^ "Manifesto of the English Democrats" (PDF). bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 8 March 2008.
  44. ^ "Newsnight poll suggests support for English parliament – but no strong desire for independence among nations" (Press release). bbc.co.uk. 16 January 2007. Retrieved 8 August 2007.
  45. ^ Dale, Iain (1 May 2007). "Voxpolitics" (Internet television). 18 Doughty Street. Retrieved 8 March 2008.
  46. ^ Brooke, Mike (2 May 2008). "English Democrats rebut links to far-right in mayor elections". East London Advertiser. Retrieved 28 January 2009.
  47. ^ Hill, Dave (22 April 2008). "Profile: City and East". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 2009-05-02.
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