FOR SOME time now, the National Liberal Party has featured a Letters of the Month section, which can be found here: http://nationalliberal.org/letters-of-the-month

According to the introduction to the Letters of the Month section, it “hosts letters published in local or national papers from members or supporters. We encourage you to write something that refers to the party or one of our policies.” Readers are asked to then send in copies of successfully printed letters to the NLPs e-mail address: natliberal@aol.com

We’d now like to extend this idea to include articles that have appeared in the media (especially in the local media) which are broadly in accordance with our ideas. We believe that there are lots of people out there who are naturally ‘national liberal’ in their views – but are unaware that the NLP exist as a political movement! (However, it should be noted that, the printing of such articles in this new What the Papers Say section does not imply that the writer or the media source are official members or supporters of the NLP.)

Here we reproduce a centre-piece article which appeared in last month’s issue of the West Belfast-based Shankill Extra. The Shankill Extra appears to be a successor paper to the old Shankill Mirror. Eagle-eyed readers may recall that we featured an article from the Mirror late last year: http://nationalliberal.org/what-the-papers-say-big-brother-is-watching-you

The article featured a banner heading Support Your Local Trader and carried the strapline A Great Place To Shop. Whilst the brief article – which was accompanied by a host of small adverts for local traders – specifically refers to the Shankill, what is said could refer to any local shopping area.

Shop Local!

THE MANY PROBLEMS associated with Britain’s housing crisis (including bad housing and homelessness) were recently discussed on the National Liberals Facebook page – check out Facebook/National Liberals. Here NLP members and supporters put forward different ideas aimed at solving this problem. One of those involved in the debate was 19-year-old college student Robert Byng from Barrhead in Scotland.

Given his passionate interest in the subject, Robert was asked to write an article that detailed his radical ideas for solving the housing crisis. His article is featured below.

Robert also edits The Young Political Radical, a highly distinctive blog which pulls no punches. Check it out here: http://theyoungpoliticalradical.blogspot.co.uk/

–

AH FRIENDS – here we are again – once again breaking down the many lies that are force fed to us like brussel sprouts at Christmas. This time we will look at the greatest atrocity to hit a nation where millionaires are allowed to gain power in to government and tell us that we are all in it together while at the same time stabbing a blade of authority into little children and the old; that atrocity is the inadequate social policy on housing.

The combined calculations of the Westminster and Scottish Parliaments, and the Welsh Assembly, puts calculations of empty homes in Scotland, England and Wales to approximately 800,000 with an estimated 250,000 homeless people living in temporary accommodation, 500,000 living on the streets and 250,000 living in squat or in tents. Approximately 1 million homeless and 800,000 spare houses to occupy and turn them into homes.

Some may consider it immoral to take the unoccupied homes from their owners however I see it as a massive opportunity for those who own such homes to become the generation’s next land lords.

Take the empty houses, place a homeless person or persons in it; the homeless are sheltered, warm and safe which will reduce costs on the nation for medical expenses for the sickness that is sadly spread through those who are exposed to the rain, cold and winds that our fair isles are known for, they are able to claim benefits and have a stable address to look for a job and increase their confidence, and the reduction of exposure to violence and drugs which could make a world of difference, especially to those under the age of 25 who probably never stood a chance in life due to whatever reason.

The owners of the empty homes are getting extra money in their pockets to spend on silly hats and posh wines, adding to the economy, and we become a much more equal society where no one is left to starve or freeze.

THE MANY problems faced by Britain – whether economic or social – are not going to be solved by screaming and shouting. Thus, the National Liberal Party is not interested in ‘hitting the headlines’ using the tired formula of macho–posturing and gesture politics. These problems will only be overcome by a combination of careful thought and action.

• First of all, say what you think – but think what you say.

• Secondly, just debate the issue(s) raised. There should be no personal attacks.

• As previously noted, we’re simply not interested in personalities.

• Please note that we may ask selected members and supporters to play ‘devil’s advocate’. Hopefully, this’ll help sharpen the debating skills of all involved!

• Finally, it should be remembered that all of the views expressed in Have Your Say! are personal and should not be taken to be the official view of the NLP itself.

Our resident poet Jason reflects upon the scandal of the US Government’s (and possibly the UK’s GHQ via them) using a programme ‘Prism’ to read peoples communications by tapping into major private servers.

The events in Turkey are being watched with interest. There have been disquieting reports over the last year that the ruling Islamic conservative party the Justice and Development Party (AKP) were beginning to tighten their grip on Turkish political and social life. All manner of citizens were concerned, liberals, nationalists, social democrats and socialists. The initial protest over turning a public park into a shopping mall started small but quickly mushroomed in reaction to the brutal police reaction. As National Liberals we view with disquiet the reaction of the Police to legitimate and peaceful protest and the steady erosion of civil liberties in general. Our National Liberal correspondent in Turkey, Ozgur Karakok, sends us this report.