IN EARLY MARCH we published the first of a two part article – http://nationalliberal.org/distributism-an-idea-whose-time-has-come-part-1 – which both looked at Distributism and provided a brief history of the wider Distributist movement in Britain.

Written by Glasgow-based Andrew Hunter, this second and concluding article charts British Distributism from the foundation of the Distributist League in 1926 through to its adoption by the Nationalist movement.

In the near future we hope to feature another ‘stand alone’ article which will look at Distributism through the eyes of the National Liberal Party – NLP – which was founded after the publication of the seminal work A Declaration and Philosophy of Progressive Nationalism in 2005

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Distributism: An idea whose time has come? (Part 2)

THIS is the second and concluding part of a highly personal article, from South Derbyshire-based Liam Clarke. In the first part – http://nationalliberal.org/sexuality-and-politics-part-1 – he warned of the dangers posed by both ‘left’ and ‘right’ – but particularly from the ‘extreme right’ who seem to feel that it’s impossible to be a gay patriot.

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To demonstrate his point, he cited several examples – the most notable probably being Alexander the Great. Whilst Alexander had many wives, his greatest “beloved” was his male bodyguard, Hephaestion.

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In this concluding article, Liam Clarke looks at another well-known gay patriot, Alan Turing (23 June 1912 – 7 June 1954). Turing was the brilliant computer scientist, mathematician, logician, cryptanalyst and theorectical biologist of Bletchley Park (Buckinghamshire) fame.

Alan Turing (1912 – 1954), founder of computer science, mathematician, code breaker, patriot … and gay.

It may seem strange that I mention these ancient figures when I am trying to condemn those who claim that lesbian, gay, bisexual (LGB) people cannot be patriotic.  But do you not see the irony here?  All of these men are among the most revered and loved people in their respective nation’s histories.  They have become the very symbol of patriotism and national pride, yet all of them had great love for another man.  Alas, the point should be emphasised that the word “Homosexual” means attraction to people of the same sex, not someone who merely has in their mind that they want to explore the deepest most private insides of the same gender!

Sculpture of Alan Turing at Bletchley Park, Buckinghamshire. It was from here that Turing helped to break the Enigma code used by National Socialist Germany.

The Second World War lasted from 1939-1945.  Some analysts say it might have lasted much longer if not for the genius and talent of one man and his team.  Alan Turing was a maths genius.  Together with his team, he invented the world’s first ever automatic computer (2 – 3).  With this he cracked the infamous Enigma code that the Nazi’s were using.

NATIONAL LIBERALS believe that the ideals of National Freedom and Social Justice are indivisible. For a healthy society to flourish a nation and its people must have both. National Freedom without Social Justice – or Social Justice without National Freedom – simply won’t do.

So is it possible to have both? The National Liberal Party – NLP – believes that it is and that Distributism provides the key. So what is Distributism? Distributism may be described as a political philosophy based on the contention that a just and sustainable social order can only exist in which the ownership of property and the means of production, distribution and exchange are widespread.

In this article Glasgow-based Andrew Hunter explains the ideas behind Distributism and provides a brief history of the wider Distributist movement in Britain. Please note that the use of the phrase ‘Third Way’ in this introduction does not imply any official link with any organisation or group of a similar name. As explained in the article. it is used to convey the idea of an economic position that is neither capitalist nor communist. This is the first of a two part article.

Distributism is the name given to a socio-economic and political creed originally associated with Hilaire Belloc (left) and G. K. Chesterton (right).

RECENT YEARS have seen economic upheaval in the western world the likes of which has not been experienced since the Great Depression of the 1930s. Once mighty banks have been brought to their knees and in some cases have gone under altogether. National governments have been forced to go cap in hand to international financial bodies to be rescued from bankruptcy. In turn, many across Europe and beyond have lost their jobs or face the threat of unemployment due to businesses failing and governments cutting their budgets. Insecurity and uncertainty over employment and pensions in old age are the fears of many these days.

THE NATIONAL LIBERAL PARTY understands that indegenuos Britons do not practice Female Genital Mutilation – FGM. Therefore, we have to presume that FGM is a ‘by-product’ of immigration from Africa, Asia and the Middle East. As the NLP is supported by many different migrant communities in the UK (mainly due to our support for Self-Determination for their various nations) we feel that it’s appropriate that the question of FGM should be debated here.

To kick off our debate, we’ve reproduced an article by NHS psychiatrist Dr Max Pemberton – http://www.maxpemberton.com/ – which originally appeared in the Daily Mail towards the end of last year. It raises many interesting points concerning FGM – not least his belief that UK authorities are too scared to seriously address this issue because they ‘are too scared to offend cultural sensitivities.’

Dr Pemberton’s view – shared by many Britons – also raises a more fundamental question: how tolerant should a host nation and its people be of the religious customs and practices of incomers? The NLP believes that nobody seriously objects to immigrants praticising their religion in terms of praying, observing sacred days and taking part in religious festivals and so on. However many Britons draw the line at practices like the ritual slaughter of animals and FGM.

It goes without saying that there are no official links between Dr Pemberton, the Daily Mail or the NLP. We’ve simply his to stimulate debate, which will be held on the National Liberals Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/52739504313/

Dr Max Pemberton (right) believes that Female Genital Mutilation – FGM – is tolerated in Britain because the authories are ‘are too scared to offend cultural sensitivities.’ What’s your view?

EMALE genital mutilation (FGM) is barbaric.  Over recent years, many celebrities, such as the actress Angelina Jolie, have put pressure on the authorities to ‘do something’ about the horrific practice – and quite right, too.