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The English Democrats' 10th Annual Conference was held in Leicester on the 24th of September. The event was a resounding success where old and new members came together to bring new ideas to our growing party. At just after 10am English Democrats National Secretary Derek Hilling took to the stage to open events. Derek welcomed delegates who had travelled from all over England and introduced Robin Tilbrook, party Chairman, who then gave his opening address. Robin welcomed all those at the conference and gave a brief speech on the history of the English Democrats before taking some time to discuss the party's current standing in local and national politics in England. Next on the agenda were the English Democrats local area elections. The English Democrats are committed to democracy with local area chairmen are elected by local members rather than simply appointed by head office. Derek Hilling, David Lane, Stephen Morris, Charles Vickers, Steve Uncles and Roger Cooper were all elected as local area chairmen. Steve Uncles then took to the stage and offered the position of Deputy Area Chairman to the second place candidate Sean Varnham, who accepted the position and shook hands with Steve. Party Treasurer Elaine Cheeseman then took to the stage and reviewed the party's accounts. Elaine gave a full financial report to the delegation explaining the current financial position of the English Democrats.
Charles Vickers, Chairman of the Policy Committee, then took to the stage to open the discussion on proposals on changes to party policy. Charles explained how the process worked and then opened the debate on several issues including a new policy on developing manufacturing industry in England. English Democrats delegates then welcomed Clive Booth who worked with other parties in government on their media profiles. Clive gave the conference a valuable insight into the way the media works and the ways in which a party can position itself to take advantage of media and promote itself in a positive manner. Following Clive's speech constitutional matters were debated and voted on by delegates. Next up was David Woodhouse from the Campaign for an English Parliament. David's speech was short, and he received no objection from anyone in the Conference with delegates unanimously supporting the Campaign for an English Parliament. To read more about the CEP you can visit their website here. St Alban's branch then discussed the Magna Carta, the English bill of rights, and how over the past 1500 years England and the UK has lost has control of its own affairs and is now controlled by the EU.
Stephen Morris, North West Area Chairman, then took the stage. Stephen gave a presentation on the Workers of England Union. The Workers of England Union is not affiliated to the TUC and truly represents ALL the Workers in England. You can learn more about the Workers of England Union by visiting their website by clicking here. Mark Lancaster, Southern Area Chairman, was the next to take to the stage. Mark presented the case against HS2 – the high speed rail network. Among other issues, Mark discussed the environmental impact the rail network would have on the environment. English Democrats Chairman Robin Tilbrook then took to the stage for his main address. Robin discussed the position of the main parties and how they are trying re-position themselves on issues of England and devolution. Robin pointed out more people than ever are now calling themselves English rather than British. Robin's full speech can be read on his blog by clicking here. Leeds English Democrat Chairman Chris Beverley then spoke on why he came to the English Democrats. Chris was open and honest about his previous mistakes and recognised that the English Democrats are the only way forward and the only morally acceptable party for the people of England. Chris reflected on his previous political activities and told the delegation how he has moved on in is life and looks forward to taking the English Democrats forward and winning elections. Kevin Riddiough, the English Democrat candidate in the forthcoming Barnsley by-election then gave his speech to the delegates. Kevin is currently hard at work campaigning in the St Helens ward in Barnsley.
Next up was Derek Hilling who discussed the question of devolution. Derek re-affirmed the English Democrats commitment to an English Parliament within a Federal UK as the way forward. This was unanimously supported by the conference. Mark Lancaster took to the stage to discuss the discrimination against England that devolution brought. Mark pointed out that the three main parties continue to bury their heads in the sand over the devolutionary mess affecting the UK. Mark concluded that England is the one nation that is mistreated under devolution and has no independent political representation unlike Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Finally Stephen Morris, the party's head of IT and Communications gave a review of the English Democrats advances in the party's use of the internet and web based campaigning. The 10th English Democrats conference then came to an end with a jubilant rendition of Jerusalem. The English Democrats Party would like to thank the Hilton Hotel in Leicester for providing excellent facilities for our Conference and our Conference organiser David Lane for all the effort he put in to make it such a great event. To see more pictures of the event please visit out Facebook page by clicking here, or visit the Guardian website which covered the conference in pictures by clicking here.
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English Democrats Conference Report
Written by Administrator
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