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Parliamentary Licence number: P2006000429

openDemocracy - England

Open Democracy England:

Britain and England: a case of split identity,

Even more fundamentally, at the psychological and cultural level, as English people have started to identify as English rather than, or as much as, British, they have increasingly lost their faith in and commitment to the old British institutions that previously relied on their identification with Great Britain. In short, they start thinking of their ‘nation' as England and not Great Britain, and start to demand national-English civic institutions to express and represent that English national identity. (Indeed, polls consistently now show majority support for some sort of separate national-English tier of governance, ranging from ‘English votes on English matters' to full independence.) So there is a dual basis for the demand for an English parliament, which bloggers such as Gareth Young http://toque.co.uk/blog/ aka Toque and other sympathisers with that cause have elaborated: 1) democratic fairness within the overall British context; and 2) the need for civic institutions to speak for, represent and defend England as a distinct national community, its traditions and its culture.
OurKingdom
OurKingdom
England
UK
email
oD Today
Britishness
Creative Commons normal
Devolution
England
Englishness

Author: openDemocracy

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 14:11:37 +0000

English nationalism vs British nationalism, , Gareth Young

Please Note -If you are considering commenting on this article then please bear in mind the warning on the EDP's website:The EDP takes a hard line on anyone suggesting the English Democrats are racist and will seek legal remedy for anyone slandering the party in this way.
OurKingdom
OurKingdom
europe
Gareth Young
OurKingdom
England

Author: Gareth Young

Sat, 16 May 2009 17:02:55 +0000

Breaking-Up Britain ,

A FREE download of Mark Perryman's opening chapter ‘A Jigsaw State' in Breaking Up Britain is available here
OurKingdom
OurKingdom
europe
email
OurKingdom
Britain
Britishness
Creative Commons normal
England
Englishness

Author: openDemocracy

Thu, 07 May 2009 11:49:49 +0000

Englishness is a cultural identity, , Paul Kingsnorth

OurKingdom
OurKingdom
europe
Paul Kingsnorth
OurKingdom
England
English Parliament
Englishness

Author: Paul Kingsnorth

Thu, 07 May 2009 10:57:04 +0000

The English Revolution, , Tom Griffin

Tom Griffin (London,OK): In today's Guardian, Ronan Bennett looks forward to The Devil's Whore, Channel 4's forthcoming drama by Our Friends in the North creator Peter Flannery. The series promises a new portrayal of the upheavals of the English Civil War, with characters including the Leveller leaders, Thomas Rainsborough, John Lilburne and Edward Sexby.
OurKingdom
OurKingdom
Tom Griffin
OurKingdom
England
History

Author: Tom Griffin

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 16:05:30 +0000

This England, What England? (Gordon Brown and the denial of England), , Gareth Young

The Government's response:
OurKingdom
OurKingdom
Gareth Young
OurKingdom
England
Gordon Brown

Author: Gareth Young

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 17:47:35 +0000

Nationalism and the English left, , Tom Griffin

Tom Griffin (London, OK): Ordovicius points us to Red Pepper, where Plaid Cymru Assembly Member Leanne Wood argues that English left have failed to respond to the challenges of devolution.
OurKingdom
OurKingdom
Tom Griffin
OurKingdom
England

Author: Tom Griffin

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 15:57:32 +0000

England: Nation or not?, , David aka Britology Watch

David (Cambridge, Britology Watch): I’d like to draw a new 10 Downing Street e-petition to the attention of OurKingdom readers. This reads as follows:


OurKingdom
OurKingdom
David aka Britology Watch
OurKingdom
England

Author: David aka Britology Watch

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 08:28:06 +0000

Brown must recognise England's claim of right, , Gareth Young

Gareth Young (Lewes, CEP): The Scottish Claim of Right of 1988 was signed by all the Scottish Labour MPs, with the exception of Tam Dalyell. In 1997, with the advent of the Labour Government of the UK, one third of that initial cabinet (8 out of 24) had signed that claim and were thus pivotal in influencing the Labour UK Government, which issued the white paper, the Scotland Devolution Bill 1998.


OurKingdom
OurKingdom
Gareth Young
OurKingdom
England
Gordon Brown
Labour Party
Scotland

Author: Gareth Young

Sun, 31 Aug 2008 23:49:05 +0000

The perils of a progressive English nationalist,

Tom Griffin (London, OK): Over at Comment Is Free, Paul Kingsnorth reflects on his recent OurKingdom debate with Vron Ware, and re-states his left-wing case for English nationalism:
OurKingdom
OurKingdom
OurKingdom
England
English Parliament

Author: openDemocracy

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 23:07:54 +0000

openDemocracy - Scotland

Open Democracy Scotland:

Referendum rethink - The Liberal Democrats and the future of Scotland, , Tom Griffin

Tom Griffin (London,OK):The SNP may not yet have the votes to get their planned independence referendum through the Scottish Parliament next year, but the proposal is certainly creating waves among their political rivals.
OurKingdom
OurKingdom
Democracy and government
UK
ourkingdom
Tom Griffin
OurKingdom
Creative Commons normal
Scotland

Author: Tom Griffin

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 04:51:31 +0000

Where have all the Scottish radicals gone? (with apologies to Joan Baez), , Gerry Hassan

Please Note -If you are considering commenting on this article then please bear in mind the warning on the EDP's website:The EDP takes a hard line on anyone suggesting the English Democrats are racist and will seek legal remedy for anyone slandering the party in this way.
OurKingdom
OurKingdom
Gerry Hassan
OurKingdom
Creative Commons normal
Scotland

Author: Gerry Hassan

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 09:40:38 +0000

Scotland independent?, , Gerry Hassan

A FREE download of Mark Perryman's opening chapter ‘A Jigsaw State' in Breaking Up Britain is available here
OurKingdom
OurKingdom
email
Gerry Hassan
OurKingdom
Creative Commons normal
Devolution
Referendums
Scotland
SNP

Author: Gerry Hassan

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 14:18:02 +0000

Salmond puts independence on the agenda, , Tom Griffin

Tom Griffin (London,OK): It's now official. The Scottish Government will bring forward plans for a vote on independence in 2010. Alex Salmond announced the Referendum Billin Holyrood today as the centrepiece of the SNP's newprogramme for government.
OurKingdom
OurKingdom
ourkingdom
Tom Griffin
OurKingdom
Alex Salmond
Creative Commons normal
Scotland

Author: Tom Griffin

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 20:39:16 +0000

Calman's Catch-22, , Tom Griffin

Tom Griffin (London,OK):Is there a fundamental flaw at the heart of theCalman Commission's proposals for devolution of tax powers to Scotland?
OurKingdom
OurKingdom
ourkingdom
Tom Griffin
OurKingdom
Creative Commons normal
Devolution
Scotland

Author: Tom Griffin

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 11:00:00 +0000

Calman report calls for 'Scottish income tax', , Tom Griffin

Tom Griffin (London,OK): The Calman Commission this week published its long-awaitedreport on the future of Scottish Devolution. Most attention is likely to focus on its recommendations for taxation, which could create a significant new divergence from the rest of the UK.

The Commission calls for income tax to be reduced by 10p in the pound in Scotland with a commensurate reduction in the block grant from Westminster. The Scottish Government would have the option to make up the difference by setting its own income tax.

One limitation is that the Scottish variation would apply equally at all rates. Holyrood would not be able to raise the top rate while leaving the standard rate unchanged, or vice-versa. Such a power would threaten the UK's 'social union' according to the Commission.

This is one instance of a general theme in the report, the delicate balancing act between deeper and more accountable devolution, on the one hand, and the continued maintenance of the union on the other.

<!--break-->

In this the report reflects its origins. The Calman Commission was created by the Scottish Parliament after Labour, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats outvoted the SNP minority government, which opposed the exercise because the option of independence was excluded from its remit.

SNP Constitution MinisterMichael Russellwelcomed some of the report's proposalsfor greater powers for Holyrood, but argued that it did not go far enough.

At present, we have a 'pocket money parliament' - under the Calman proposals, Scotland would have a Saturday job but the pay would be deducted from our pocket money. Scotland has to go much further than a system of the Treasury giving with one hand and taking away with the other - which is why the Scottish Parliament and Governmentneed fiscal autonomy and full financial powers.

The report received awarmer receptionfrom Labour Secretary of State for Scotland, Jim Murphy:

The UK Government agrees that financial accountability could be achieved by moving to a system where a greater proportion of the Scottish Parliament's budget comes from their own decisions. We welcome the Commission's model which provides a promising and well evidenced basis on which we can work with the Scottish Parliament and others to bring forward practical proposals.
The suggested changes are complex, and require detailed and careful consideration. Along with Her Majesty's Treasury, we will assess, and explore how to implement these proposals.

Labour, theConservatives, and theLib Demshave now set up a steering group to take forward the report's recommendations. That means, asBrian Taylornotes, that it is likely to form the basis of UK government policy whoever wins the next election.

Together with the Scottish Government'sNational Conversation, the Calman report forms the basis for a struggle between two competing visions of Scotland's future over the next few years.


OurKingdom
OurKingdom
ourkingdom
Tom Griffin
OurKingdom
Scotland

Author: Tom Griffin

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 23:28:55 +0000

Dìomhair *,

Death of the Scottish Press

OurKingdom
Scotland

Author: openDemocracy

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 17:19:26 +0000


Scottish budget voted down, , Tom Griffin

Tom Griffin (London,OK): Breaking news from Holyrood:
OurKingdom
OurKingdom
Tom Griffin
Live from the IACC
Scotland

Author: Tom Griffin

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 18:15:10 +0000

SNP seeks budget deal, , Tom Griffin

Tom Griffin (London,OK): An interesting situation is developing in Scotland, where the SNP minority government is trying to get its budget through the Holyrood parliament. Last year's spending plans got through because of Labour abstentions, but that may be less likely this time around.


OurKingdom
OurKingdom
Tom Griffin
OurKingdom
Scotland

Author: Tom Griffin

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 12:55:29 +0000

Calman, shared social citizenship, and the defence of the union, , Tom Griffin

Tom Griffin (London,OK): Over at Unlock Democracy, Deputy Director Alexandra Runswick warns the Calman Commission against considering Scottish devolution in isolation from the wider UK constitutional settlement.
OurKingdom
OurKingdom
Tom Griffin
OurKingdom
Devolution
Scotland

Author: Tom Griffin

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 18:45:43 +0000

openDemocracy - Northern Ireland

Open Democracy Northern Ireland:

A new leader for the SDLP,

Tom Griffin (London,OK):The SNP may not yet have the votes to get their planned independence referendum through the Scottish Parliament next year, but the proposal is certainly creating waves among their political rivals.
OurKingdom
OurKingdom
OurKingdom
Creative Commons normal
Ireland
Northern Ireland

Author: openDemocracy

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 11:03:32 +0000

Tories undeterred by bumpy start in Northern Ireland, , Tom Griffin

Please Note -If you are considering commenting on this article then please bear in mind the warning on the EDP's website:The EDP takes a hard line on anyone suggesting the English Democrats are racist and will seek legal remedy for anyone slandering the party in this way.
OurKingdom
OurKingdom
ourkingdom
Tom Griffin
OurKingdom
Conservative Party
Ireland
Northern Ireland

Author: Tom Griffin

Thu, 21 May 2009 18:53:01 +0000

Wild Catastrophism to Mild Moderation in Northern Ireland, , Arthur Aughey

Out of the mouth of history
OurKingdom
OurKingdom
europe
Arthur Aughey
OurKingdom
Britishness
Northern Ireland

Author: Arthur Aughey

Thu, 07 May 2009 09:55:38 +0000

Racism in Northern Ireland, , Damian O'Loan

Tom Griffin (London,OK): It's now official. The Scottish Government will bring forward plans for a vote on independence in 2010. Alex Salmond announced the Referendum Billin Holyrood today as the centrepiece of the SNP's newprogramme for government.
OurKingdom
OurKingdom
Damian O'Loan
OurKingdom
Northern Ireland

Author: Damian O'Loan

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 13:21:11 +0000

An Irish lesson for the Middle East?, , Tom Griffin

Tom Griffin (London,OK):Does the Irish peace process have lessons for the Middle East? Many of the key players in the Good Friday Agreement seem to think so. Tony Blair has cited the precedent as cause for optimism in his role as Quartet Envoy, while Gerry Adams called for inclusive negotiations during his visit to Gaza last week. The analogy isn't universally welcome, however.
OurKingdom
OurKingdom
ourkingdom
Tom Griffin
OurKingdom
Ireland
Northern Ireland

Author: Tom Griffin

Sat, 18 Apr 2009 13:04:55 +0000

The struggle for the soul of Irish republicanism, , Tom Griffin

Tom Griffin (London,OK):The agenda behind the dissident republican attacks of the past few days was acutely summed up yesterday by Irish News commentator Brian Feeney:
OurKingdom
OurKingdom
email
Tom Griffin
OurKingdom
Ireland
Northern Ireland

Author: Tom Griffin

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 01:27:30 +0000

Sinn Féin seek new alliance of the Irish left, , Tom Griffin

Tom Griffin (Dublin,OK): Gerry Adams called for a new alignment in Irish politics at the weekend,
OurKingdom
OurKingdom
Tom Griffin
OurKingdom
Ireland
Northern Ireland

Author: Tom Griffin

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 14:56:14 +0000

Consultative Group on the Past sparks unavoidable debate, , Damian O'Loan

Damian O'Loan (Paris): Wednesday marked the launch of the much-hyped report of Northern Ireland's Consultative Group on the Past, including its “outrageous” proposal to award £12,000 to all victims of the Troubles, regardless of their, or their families', contribution to the conflict.
OurKingdom
OurKingdom
email
Damian O'Loan
OurKingdom
Ireland
Northern Ireland

Author: Damian O'Loan

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 17:16:23 +0000

90 years of Irish Parliaments, , Tom Griffin

Tom Griffin (London,OK): It is perhaps a fitting coincidence that, in the week when Barack Obama invoked the republicanism of Tom Paine, Ireland observed the 90th anniversary of its own 'Yes We Can' moment.
OurKingdom
OurKingdom
Tom Griffin
OurKingdom
Ireland
Northern Ireland

Author: Tom Griffin

Fri, 23 Jan 2009 17:09:50 +0000

SF don't believe Cameron 'attached to the union', , Tom Griffin

Tom Griffin (London,OK): A leading member of Sinn Féin dismissed the Conservative Party's latest foray into Northern Ireland politics during a visit to London at the weekend. Seanna Walsh, the head of the Sinn Féin Culture Department, said his party were not worried about the emerging alliance between the Conservatives and the Ulster Unionists.
OurKingdom
OurKingdom
Tom Griffin
OurKingdom
Ireland
Northern Ireland

Author: Tom Griffin

Mon, 19 Jan 2009 03:07:15 +0000

openDemocracy - Wales

Open Democracy Wales:

What is the real case for more powers? , , Tomorrow's Wales

Tomorrow's Wales (Cardiff): The report in the Western Mail on Friday on Sir Emyr Jones Parry’s call for politicians to give concrete examples of laws they would like to see passed in order to better explain why the Assembly needs primary law-making powers raises some interesting question about what the Convention’s role is and how the case is best made forgiving the Assemblyprimary legislativepowers.


OurKingdom
OurKingdom
Tomorrow's Wales
OurKingdom
Devolution
Wales

Author: Tomorrow's Wales

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 13:06:26 +0000

Fiscal federalism, , John Osmond

John Osmond (Cardiff, Institute of Welsh Affairs): Hints from the Prime Minister on future funding options for the Scottish Parliament are rare and usually Delphic in their meaning. So close attention was paid to Gordon Brown’s relatively unambiguous remarks on the theme in a speech delivered to a CBI Scotland dinner in Glasgow in early September.


OurKingdom
OurKingdom
email
John Osmond
OurKingdom
Devolution
Tax
Wales

Author: John Osmond

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 14:10:29 +0000

A Labour-Lib Dem pact for Cardiff in 2011?, , Tom Griffin

Tom Griffin (London,OK): John Osmond brings us news of the debate in the Senedd that launched the Institute of Welsh Affairs' new book, Politics in 21st Century Wales. He suggests that, given some of the players involved, the event may turn out to be a preview of the coalition negotiations that follow the next Assembly election:
OurKingdom
OurKingdom
Tom Griffin
OurKingdom
Labour Party
Liberal Democrats
Wales

Author: Tom Griffin

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:34:42 +0000

Politics in 21st Century Wales, , Tom Griffin

Tom Griffin (London,OK): Labour must renew itself in West Wales, if it is to regain a dominant position in the Cardiff Bay Assembly. That's the message from First Minister Rhodri Morgan in his contribution to a new book from the Institute for Welsh Affairs:
OurKingdom
OurKingdom
Tom Griffin
OurKingdom
Wales

Author: Tom Griffin

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 12:22:43 +0000

One Wales coalition in jeopardy, , Tom Griffin

Tom Griffin (London,OK): The BBC reports on growing tensions in the Welsh Assembly Government over Westminster legislation that would give the assembly new powers on housing:
OurKingdom
OurKingdom
Tom Griffin
OurKingdom
Wales

Author: Tom Griffin

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 11:31:18 +0000

Mobilising the young: The lesson for Wales, , OurKingdom

No Devolution
OurKingdom
OurKingdom
OurKingdom
OurKingdom
Wales

Author: OurKingdom

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 13:38:36 +0000

Call for evidence on Welsh finance, , Tom Griffin

Tom Griffin (London, OK): The Independent Commission set up to examine the funding of the Welsh Assembly Government began its work this week.
OurKingdom
OurKingdom
Tom Griffin
OurKingdom
Devolution
Economy
Wales

Author: Tom Griffin

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 12:34:03 +0000

Welsh democracy without ITV , , Geraint Talfan Davies

Geraint Talfan Davies (Institute of Welsh Affairs, Wales Watch): The more you look at Ofcom’s proposals for reducing ITV’s programming for the nations and the regions of the UK, the more you sense that the endgame for ITV is approaching. And it’s happening just when the clouds are gathering over our newspapers, too. These are unprecedented crisis years for the media in Wales.


OurKingdom
OurKingdom
Geraint Talfan Davies
OurKingdom
Media
Wales

Author: Geraint Talfan Davies

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 14:29:01 +0000

Welsh Assembly Members want law-making powers, , Tom Griffin

Tom Griffin (London, The Green Ribbon): Most Welsh Assembly members want the same law-making powers as the Scottish Parliament, a new poll has found. The survey for the Western Mail comes ahead of today's inaugural meeting of the All Wales Convention, which will examine the case for further devolution.


OurKingdom
OurKingdom
Tom Griffin
OurKingdom
Devolution
Wales

Author: Tom Griffin

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 13:14:44 +0000

Welsh NHS patients feel they are 'second-class citizens', , Tom Griffin

Tom Griffin (London, The Green Ribbon): A report from the Commons Welsh Affairs Committee looked at one of the most sensitive aspects of devolution this week, the impact on NHS services that have traditionally straddled the English/Welsh border.
OurKingdom
OurKingdom
Tom Griffin
OurKingdom
Devolution
England
NHS
Wales

Author: Tom Griffin

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 19:33:42 +0000

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