NHS workers have gone from Hero to Zero for simply asking for a pay rise. National Liberal Trade Unionists - NLTU – believe that the NHS is our ‘National Pride’. As such, it needs massive & sustained government investment. This needs to target both infrastructure, recruitment & pay and working conditions for existing staff. This could be achieved by introducing a system of Sovereign Money as opposed to borrowing from private banks. Under the current financial system we’d be drowning in debtbased interest payments forever and a day. Here the only winners will be the banksters. Sovereign Money is where the money supply is controlled by the nation & is issued free of charge.

HOW DO YOU go from hero to zero in a single step? That’s easy – just ask for a pay rise! For that’s the extraordinary position thousands of NHS workers find themselves in after they held a massive demonstration in London on Saturday to protest against their exclusion from a recent public sector pay rise announcement.

The big London demonstration – as well as smaller ones held throughout the rest of England, Scotland, Ulster & Wales – were organised by Nurses United (1).

Nurses United describes itself as a ‘grassroots network of Frontline Nurses for Frontline Nurses.’ And like ourselves, Nurses United regard the NHS as our ‘National Pride.’ Indeed, it has pledged to ‘protect it and fight for a national service that is publicly owned, provided and that prioritises the care and safety of us all.’

In London, the ‘flagship march’ began at St. James’s Park, passing along Whithall before ending up at Parliament Square. It was the second demonstration in support of NHS workers to be held within the last few days in the capital. Over 1,5000 marched on Downing Street from St Thomas’ Hospital last Wednesday.

The union Unite – which has around 100.000 members in the health service – said that NHS staff were angry, discontent and frustrated at being overlooked for a pay rise.

The union noted that NHS staff have ‘seen their pay cut by 20 per cent in real terms – and no amount of Thursday evening clapping and warm ministerial words can compensate for this dramatic loss in income.

Poor rates of pay have contributed to the estimated 100,000 vacancies in the NHS and ensuing ‘recruitment and retention’ crisis.

We remain in the middle of a gruelling battle against Covid-19, and are facing a second wave, yet still we have to struggle to afford the basics.’

The reference to ‘Thursday evening clapping’ is a nod to the UK-wide Clap for Our Carers (2) campaign, which took place every Thursday at 8pm between March 26th and May 28th this year. Although it was a well-meaning campaign, it was – sadly – ultimately meaningless. Indeed, many ‘NHS Heroes’ claimed that it was an empty gesture, especially as the NHS faced budget cuts & severe shortages of equipment (3 & 4). This was particulary so as all manner of politicians – desperate for a photo opportunity – clapped their hearts out.

So what happens next? We National Liberal Trade Unionists – NLTU – believe that Boris Johnson & Co. will continue to praise the NHS to the heavens, especially in respect of Covid-19. In the meantime, NHS workers will have to content themselves by whistling Dixie when it comes to anything like a worthwhile pay rise.

Constantly praising the NHS will not change anything. Nor will another outbreak of Thusday evening clapping. And referring to NHS workers as ‘Heroes’ does not pay the bills.

So how do we turn the situation around?

First of all, we need to recognise that things are not going to change overnight. Years of underfunding have left the NHS in a terrible state. However, we National Liberal Trade Unionists – NLTU – believe that there needs to be massive & sustained government investment in the NHS. It needs to target both infrastucture as well as staff pay & working conditions.

Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor of the Exchequer (5) may well go on some form of spending spree – for a Tory he’s opened the purse strings more often than many would would have expected. But under the current financial system we’d be drowning in debt-based interest payments forever and a day. Here the only winners will be the banksters.

The solution, however, is very simple – and that’s to introduce a system of Sovereign Money (6-7) as opposed to borrowing from private banks. Unfortunately, this is something that none of the establishment pro-capitalist parties would ever contemplate.

Despite this, the NLTU proposes that nation should control its own money supply which should be issued free of charge. Thus Sovereign Money should be issued as and when needed to help with NHS recruitment, pay & the upgrading/expanding of NHS infrastructure.

The NHS has recruited and trained people for years. They can be retained if they’re paid good wages. We know how to build hospitals, health centres and other infrstucture needed by the NHS. Money is man-made. As such, it’s impossible to ‘run out’ of money. Money isn’t some form of natural resource that we could run out of at any time. Therefore it should be used to benefit our nation and our people – such as a properly funded and resourced health care system.

(1) https://www.nursesunited.org.uk/

(2) https://clapforourcarers.co.uk/

(3) https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/19/nhs-workers-dont-want-applause-they-want-ppe

(4) https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/apr/23/uk-key-workers-ppe-ministers-clapping-protect-nhs

(5) http://nationalliberal.org/britain%e2%80%99s-reactionary-racists-react

(6) https://sovereignmoney.site/what-is-sovereign-money

(7) https://positivemoney.org/our-proposals/sovereign-money-introduction/

• THE NATIONAL LIBERAL TRADE UNIONISTS – NLTU – would like to hear from any NHS workers who could provide us with up-to-date information concerning pay & working conditions in their local area. Contact us at natliberal@aol.com or via Facebook/National Liberal Trade Unionists

We’re passionate supporters of the National Health Service and believe that a huge debt is owed to Ernest Brown (1881-1962). Devon-born Brown was the Liberal National/National Liberal Minister for Health from 1941-1943 in the National Government of Ramsay McDonald. (Brown was also leader of the Liberal National Party from 1940 to 1945.) As Health Minister he commissioned the Beveridge Report which ultimately led to the foundation of the welfare state in the UK, with the NHS being one of its most important elements.

OUR LAST article explained how our friends & comrades at the National Liberal Party had hoped to bring the ideal of Self-Determination to the attention of millions of voters in London (1). They were going to do this by standing up to 25 candidates in the Greater London Authority (GLA) election, which was to be held on 7th May.  Sadly, Covid-19 put paid to that.  However, all is not lost as the election has been re-scheduled for Thursday 6th May next year.

To some extent, this delay has worked in the favour of all those who’re promoting the cause of the world’s captive nations.  It means that more & more Self-Determinists can become involved in the campaign to have Self-Determination For All! placed on the ballot ticket.  Hundreds – if not thousands – of volunteers are needed to raise money & spread the word, especially via various Social Media platforms.  Organising for & standing in the GLA election is no mean feat.  A simple glance at the official London Elects web-site – https://www.londonelects.org.uk/im-candidate/nominations – will easily confirm this.

As we indicated earlier, the whole raison d’étre for the National Liberal Party standing in the forthcoming GLA election is to draw attention to the fact that countless people around the world are demanding Self-Determination – whether it be some form of recognition, autonomy or independence.

With the above in mind, we’ll now take a look at the autonomous Finnish province of the  Åland Islands. Located in the Baltic Sea – at the southern end of the Gulf of Bothnia between mainland Finland and Sweden – Åland consists of around 6,500 islands – although only around 60 are inhabited – and a population of 25,000.  The largest island is Fasta Åland where 90% of the population lives.

Despite its relative remoteness and small population, the Åland Islands have been ruled – since the early 19th Century – by Finland, Russia & Sweden. Over 90% of Ålanders consider themselves Swedish and in 1917 started to organise for their own self-determination.  Three years later Finland granted them wide-reaching cultural & political autonomy.   Additionally, since 1922, Åland has had its own parliament as well as a representative in the Finnish national parliament.  This is ok to a degree – the only problem is that Finland effectively dictates Åland’s foreign policy, civil & criminal law, customs and monetary policy.

With the above in mind, Nations without States (NwS) understand that an increasing number of people are seeking independence for the Åland Islands.  Those who advocate independence say that this should be achieved by an Åland-wide referendum.

NwS would appeal to any Ålanders – currently living in London – to get in touch with the National Liberal Party as soon as possible.  Next year’s GLA election offers an excellent opportunity for Ålanders to promote their cause of self-determination to those living in Greater London area, which has a population of over nine million 9 (2).

We understand that the National Liberal Party is still looking for candidates, as well as help with their Social Media campaign & public activities like canvassing and leafletting.  Help with fund raising is also required.  If you want to promote the cause of the Ålanders – or any other group who desire Self-Determination – then don’t hesitate to email the NLP at nalliberal@aol.com

Make history – not excuses: On Thursday 6th May next year vote for Self-Determination For All!

1)  From The Liberty Wall – Nations without States – Calling All Aborigines, Aché, Ainu & Ahwazi People … http://nationalliberal.org/from-the-liberty-wall-nations-without-sates-calling-all-aborigines-ache-ainu-ahwazi-people

2)  https://worldpopulationreview.com/world-cities/london-population

• CHECK OUT Nations without States on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/184919468292372/

“Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.”

• Martin Luther King Jr.

THE GREATER LONDON AUTHORITY (GLA) ELECTION should have been held 17 days ago – on 7th May. They’re held every four years and 25 seats are up for grabs. The election is unique in that it comprises of three different ‘contests’ – each with its own ballot paper. This means that the London electorate votes for the Mayor of London, 14 Constituency Members & 11 Members that represent the whole of London (London-wide Members) all in one hit.

As this section of the official London Elects web-site notes – https://www.londonelects.org.uk/im-voter/what-do-mayor-london-and-london-assembly-do – the London Assembly is responsible for areas such as policing, transport, housing, planning and the environment.

However, due to the Covid-19 crisis, the GLA election has now been postponed until Thursday May 6th 2021. But what has all this got to do with Nations without States?

The main reason is that our friends and comrades of the National Liberal Party -NLP – were intending to stand candidates (under the banner of Self-Determination For All!) in the election. Here, they were hoping to draw attention to the fact that countless people around the world are demanding Self-Determination – whether it be some form of recognition, autonomy or independence.

Self-Determination is the raison d’être of the National Liberal Party. Therefore, they’ll support the right of all people who desire freedom. This includes for example the Catalans, Flemish, Kurds, Sikhs and Tamils. (The irony of the election being held in London – the English capital – won’t be lost on supporters of both NwS & the NLP. For those who don’t know, England doesn’t have its own Parliament. Westminster is a British, and not English, Parliament!)

The NLP have advised us that they are still organising for next May – although, now that there’s no immediate hurry, much of this is now being done behind the scenes.

Nations without States will also keep on highlighting the causes of those people who desire some form of Self-Determination. As our educational outreach posters (above) indicate, to date we’ve looked at the Aborigines, Aché, Ainu & Ahwazi People. Next up will be an article about the Åland Islands.

In the meantime, however, we feel that it’ll be appropriate to reproduce an article which appeared in issue 1 of Nation, the ‘Newsletter of Nations without States’. Identities, Self-Determination and Initiatives provided information about NwS and outlined our strategy. It talks about the need to ‘build a broad-front alliance which consists of self-determinists from the British Isles and the various foreign Diasporas living here.’ Whilst fighting elections wasn’t specifically mentioned at this early stage – although we feel that it’s implicit in the article – issue 2 of Nation reported that NwS wished to build ‘a whole new voting demographic.’

As usual, we welcome any feedback from fellow Self-Determinists once this article appears on Facebook/Nations without States.

Identities, Self-Determination and Initiatives

NATIONS WITHOUT STATES (NwS) is an exciting new activist based pressure group sponsored by the National Liberal Party. The NLP – Britain’s true centre party – is the only party that supports self-determination for all nations. Check out its website: www.nationalliberal.org

Founded in March 2012, the Organising Committee of NwS consists of Jagdeesh Singh, Graham Williamson and Sockalingam Yogalingam. It is currently appointing NwS Representatives, who’ll become official links to their community’s Diaspora. It also hopes to produce a self-determinist manifesto and constitution in the near future.

The main aim of NwS is to highlight the plight of all peoples who aspire to nationhood. These might be based on peoples or tribes within a state or even across borders; folk that may or may not have been independently organised in the past. They might have a linguistic or historical separateness from their neighbours or fellow citizens. All seeking statehood will aspire to recognition, autonomy or independence.

We will support the right of all such peoples to determine their future. These include, for instance, the Kurds, Flemish, Sikhs and Tamils. Nations without States – NwS – supports the right of self-determination where it is based on a sound and just position and is supported by the majority of its ‘national’ community.

As self-determinists we believe that the concept of nationhood is universal – and in an era of globalisation it needs protection and promotion as one solution to our political ills. A proud and recognised nation within its own state and at ease with itself is far more likely to ensure internal and external peace than any ‘supra-national empire’.

Thus, Nations without States will aim to:

• Showcase the many suppressed nations and those groups that struggle to obtain recognition for their nations and/or some level of autonomy or independence. We will do this via conferences, meetings, demonstrations, days of action, pickets, publications, leaflets and social media. Here we’ll look at the ‘forgotten nations’ of the world explaining their historical background, their present situation and what the future might hold. We are more than happy to allow representatives of such peoples as individuals or groups to present their case.

• Help build a broad-front alliance which consists of self-determinists from the British Isles and the various foreign Diasporas living here. We will co-ordinate the representatives and groups among the various Diasporas in the West so that each cause will benefit from each other’s experience, strength and contacts. Hopefully, by working together – via joint conferences, demonstrations and educational outreach material – each group will be able to push their national cause that little bit further towards their goals.

NwS is unique because it links all of our national struggles. We believe that joint strategies and the pooling of our resources will make us much stronger. This is essential – as we’re up against powerful governments who have a vested interest in denying people self-determination. Some of these governments are openly dictatorial – indeed, they’re not adverse to a spot of genocide. Even some of the ‘democratic’ governments just pay lip service to true democracy and human rights.

They also have lots of money to spend on PR. In many cases they can call upon a compliant media to either smear those fighting for self-determination or simply not bother reporting views which represent an ‘inconvenient truth’.

Those interested in helping NwS overcome these vested interests and obtaining self-determination for all of our nations, should contact nationswstates@aol.co.uk or check out Facebook/Nations without States.

The Tolpudddle Martyrs are generally considered as the founders of British trade unionism.

TRADE UNIONISTS will be aware that yesterday was 1st May.   Traditionally Spring festivals are held on this day.  However, it also marks an important day in the Trade Union calendar as ordinary workers take to the streets to celebrate International Workers’ Day.  Sadly, this year these celebrations were significantly muted due to Covid-19.  

Despite the ‘leftist’ origins of International Workers’ Day (the 1st May was chosen in 1889 for political reasons by the Marxist International Socialist Congress) we National Liberal Trade Unionists – NLTU – are more than happy to recognise & celebrate May Day.  

Some people may find this odd, given that the NLTU rejects socialism (as well as capitalism).  

We also have a slightly different take on class.  Here, we feel that it’s ridiculous to view and/or judge individuals solely in terms of percieved class.  This ‘be all and end all’ view is fairly restrictive.  Most importantly, it doesn’t take into account the nature & character of different people – irrespective of what their personal wealth is or what accent they speak with.  

With the above in mind, we find it slightly bizare – and completely hypocritical – that some on the ‘left’ absolutely hate those who have more money than they do, or speak with a ‘cut glass’ accent.  At the same time, they would (rightly) oppose anyone who hated others simply because of the colour of their skin, religion, sexuality or whatever.  To some extent, we’re all ‘accidents of birth’ and have no control over certain distinguishing features.  So why do the left entertain these double standards?  

National Liberal Trade Unionists also celebrate May Day because, in the past, there’s been a strong liberal tradition within trade unionism.  Also, we find it useful to study early socialists & non-socialists – particularly those who were patriotic in outlook.  The NLTU feels that it can draw inspiration from the struggles of others.  

With the above in mind, we’ll be looking at the Tolpudddle Martyrs, generally accepted as the founders of British trade unionism.  We’ll also examine early socialist pioneers like Robert ‘Bob’ Blatchford, Keir Hardie & William Morris.  Social reformers like William Cobbett & John Ruskin are also of great interest.   

It’s important to note that none of these figures will be placed on a pedestal, so to speak.  However, we do regard them as a ‘point of reference’ in that they did – or said – things that are of great interest to the NLTU.  

We mentioned earlier the tradition of liberal trade unionism and trade unionists.  Few people – including many trade unionists – will be aware of this.  That’s not surprising as this tradition hasn’t really been evident for years now.  However, that’s no reason to self-censor ourselves and ignore it.  On the contrary, we need to re-kindle & re-build this tradition.   

Whilst this may appear to be a daunting thought, the NLTU feels that it’s possible to promote this ‘alternative’ form of trade unionism.  For instance, we’re aware of many ordinary working folks who’re sick & tired of what they perceive to be modern day trade union double-standards – such as the huge salaries pocketed by many top officials.  Others are fed up with local officials who claim to be on trade union business when in fact they appear to be on ‘jollies’.  Still more workers are tired of listening to those trade unionists who appear to be on some sort of power trip.  

With all of the above in mind, why not learn more about the National Liberal Trade Unionist?  Check out our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/277840098977231