Open Your Eyes … And Say YES To A Free Wales!
Date: January 21, 2015
Categories: Party News
Category » Party News
National Liberal Debate 14 – I Am Charlie. I Am Not Charlie. Have Your Say!
Some of Charlie Hebdo’s highly distinctive covers. Founded in 1970 it is published every Wednesday.
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.
This means that we favour informed and reasoned debate. Here we concentrate on arguments, points of view and facts. We are not interested in personalities, prejudice or promoting self-interest.
The National Liberal Party seeks to build an organisation that encourages free speech and debate. To do this, we also attempt to take into consideration as many views as is possible in open debate. Thus, members and supporters are always encouraged to have their say.
We’re also interested in encouraging people to develop their debating skills. That’s why the NLP has introduced a new series of articles called Have Your Say! Whilst each subject will be announced on this web-site, they’ll be conducted in full on the National Liberals Facebook site, which can be found here:
Before we start this debate we’d like to remind folks of our ground rules:
- 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 latest question relates to the horrific events in Paris in early January. Here 17 people were killed during three days of attacks. The shootings were allegedly carried out by militant followers of Islam, generally known as jihadists. Targets included journalists and cartoonists working for the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, police officers, and a kosher supermarket.
In the days that followed, a whole host of views were aired. Many people condemned the shootings – particularly those relating to Charlie Hebdo which they simply viewed as an attack on the concept of absolute free speech. Others atempted to put the shootings into context – and highlighted what they viewed as Charlie Hebdo’s ‘baiting’ of Muslims.
There were also allegations of others supporting the attacks. Some promoted ‘conspiracy theories’ and claimed that Muslim policeman Ahmed Merabet wasn’t really killed by a shot to the head, whilst others believe that the barbaric events were some form of ‘Black Ops.’
To date the National Liberals facebook page has carried many reports – from differing sources – on the attacks. However, these have featured over several threads. However, there is an urgent need to stretch the debate (as always based on rational discourse and logic) and collate all views in one place so that we can provide a reasonably definitive and highly considered response to the shootings.
Immediately after the attacks many people who support free speech and freedom of expression carried, signs that read Je Suis Charlie (I am Charlie). However because Charlie Hebdo appears to be at the centre of this storm – and given some of the more unsavoury aspects relating to the publication – our question for this latest National Liberal debate is simple: I Am Charlie. I Am Not Charlie. Have Your Say!
Let us know your views – simply check out the debate at Facebook/National Liberals today!
• THIS ARTICLE should be read in conjunction with:
Ten Of The Best! (13/03/2014) http://nationalliberal.org/ten-of-the-best
National Liberal Debate 11 – Outside Of London Who Should National Liberals Vote For In The Euro-Elections? Have Your Say! (15/05/2014) http://nationalliberal.org/national-liberal-debate-11-%E2%80%93-outside-of-london-who-should-national-liberals-vote-for-in-the-euro-elections-have-your-say
National Liberal Debate 12 – What’s Our Take On UKIP? Have Your Say! (22/06/2014) http://nationalliberal.org/national-liberal-debate-12-what%e2%80%99s-our-take-on-ukip-have-your-say
National Liberal Debate 13 – Should We Bring Back The Death Penalty? Have Your Say! (27/08/2014) http://nationalliberal.org/national-liberal-debate-13-should-we-bring-back-the-death-penalty-have-your-say
Date: January 14, 2015
Categories: Party News
Introducing the National Liberal Party – For Liberty, Democracy, Independence & Ecology
THE NATIONAL LIBERAL PARTY holds reasonably frequent on-line debates covering a variety of social and economic issues. We run these as part of our Have Your Say mini-series. We do this because we’re simply not interested in following the tired formula of macho–posturing and gesture politics. Indeed, the NLP is trying to promote a different form of politics, based on a careful combination of in-depth thought and action.
Our view is that the problems facing the various nations and peoples of the British Isles are not going to be solved by screaming and shouting. They will only be overcome by a combination of careful thought and action mentioned above. This means that we favour informed and reasoned debate. Here we concentrate on arguments, points of view and facts. We are not interested in personalities, prejudice or promoting self-interest.
With this in mind, we appreciate your comments and observations on the article below. Many folks will recognise it as the article which has – to date – featured on the back page of various NLP publications, such as Caledonian Voice, English Voice, the Isle of Wight Voice, Kent Voice and Liberty & Nation.
We’re always striving to improve our educational and outreach material and we’d really appreciate the help of our members and supporters. So what do you think of the article below? Is it too ‘wordy’ – or not long enough? How can we imporove it? Should sections be added or deleted? We’d also like to know if there are any sections that need to be clarified. Just because we’re clear about what we’re talking about doesn’t mean that everyone else is!
Please keep in mind that our article is aimed at attracting idealists to our movement – who combining both thought and action – will then become local NLP community activists.
To submit your views – good, bad or indifferent – simply look out for this article when it appears on our National Liberals Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/52739504313/ and have your say in the comments section.
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Introducing the National Liberal Party – For Liberty, Democracy, Independence & Ecology
THE NATIONAL LIBERAL PARTY is a new political party. It was founded following the publication of A Declaration and Philosophy of Progressive Nationalism (written in 2005 by Tim Bragg and Graham Williamson).
The core principles of the modern NLP include Liberty, Democracy, Independence and Ecology.
However, we draw upon the tradition of patriotic liberalism once predominant in 19th century Europe. In Britain, National Liberals (sometimes called Liberal Nationals) have included Joseph Chamberlain to the Earl of Roseberry to Leslie Hoare-Belisha.
The combination of the NLPs political roots – Progressive Nationalism (sometimes called ‘Green Nationalism’) and Liberalism – means that we are unique. This fusion of nationalism and liberalism means that we give equal weight to ‘national questions’ (concerning all of the nations and peoples of the British Isles and in principle, beyond) as we do to ‘liberal questions’ concerning the individual and freedom.
This fusion of Progressive Nationalism and Liberalism provides us with a general position that can be best summed up as being ‘Neither Left nor Right – Neither Capitalist nor Communist.’
Our Progressive Nationalism is a nationalism based on equality, popular sovereignty and national self-determination. Therefore, we reject the dehumanising materialist doctrines of capitalism and communism – which we view as two sides of the same coin – as well as racism, imperialism, fascism and war.
As Progressive Nationalists (Self-determinists) we’re more than ready to work with others who want national self determination and liberation for nations overseas – no matter what their race, nationality, ethnicity or religion is, because it a universal human right.
Our Liberalism shouldn’t be confused with the liberalism of those Politically Correct busy bodies who seem to want to dictate to everyone how they should think and act. Despite their self-proclaimed ‘liberalism’, in reality they’re dogmatic, undemocratic and totalitarian in nature. Indeed, they would have given the combined forces of the Gestapo and KGB a run for their money!
Our Liberalism is very much in support of the individual against the might of the state. Whilst we recognise the need for some state involvement and functions – the NHS, for instance – we are radically anti-statist. We are against too much state interference.
We also have a lot of political libertarian blood running through our veins! For example, we think that it’s vital that everyone is allowed to have their say. We disagree with lots of individuals and groups – but they all have a right to free speech. It could be argued that there could – or even should – be a few exceptions to this rule (for instance, those who promote violence) but on the whole our view is that either we all have rights – or none of us has rights.
If you agree with our fusion of Nationalism and Liberalism, why not get involved? Check out our website on www.nationalliberal.org or contact us on natliberal@aol.com or by writing to National Liberal Party, PO Box 4217, Hornchurch, Essex, RM12 4PX.
Date: January 11, 2015
Categories: Party News
PEOPLE’S POWER!
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The NLP’s first General Election candidate to declare their intention to stand, Sockalingam Yogalingam, held a planning meeting at his offices in Harrow.
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Members of the party’s National Council, including party leader Upkar Singh Rai, met local activists to discuss the coming campaign. The constituency, Ruislip, Northwood & Pinner, was chosen as the other two Harrow seats will be hosting either a Tamil or pro-Tamil rights candidates and we don’t wish to ‘split’ the vote.
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Activists will begin canvassing constituents to support Yogi’s campaign in the New Year which will promote the concept of national and political self-determination.
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Firstly, National self-determination which includes moving to a Federal UK, including an English Parliament, the preservation of the UK’s independence within Europe, and supporting the right of independence for all the world’s stateless nations including Tamil Eelam.
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Secondly, Political self-determination through Greater (Direct) Democracy which includes more use of Referendums, Proportional Representation, Recall (of elected politicians), and a None of the Above (NOTA) box on the ballot papers.
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The campaign is beginning to attract local and media interest but you can help boost it by donating via http://nationalliberal.org/the-party-organisation/donate (note SY as a reference), by cheque to NLP, c/o PO Box 4217, Hornchurch RM12 4PY, or pledge via natliberal@aol.com.
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Date: January 4, 2015
Categories: Party News
Liberal Future Debate (2) – Must The Earth Die Screaming?
ECOPOP is a Swiss ecological group. Its main objectives are to preserve non-renewable resources and to reduce overpopulation.
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IN LATE November Switzerland held a referendum on immigration. As with September’s Scottish Referendum, Liberal Future – the youth wing of the National Liberal Party – found this latest referendum fascinating for two main reasons.
Firstly, we favour a system of small government based on true and direct democracy. As the NLP notes in its Statement of Principles “the personal liberty of a nation’s citizens is vital.” Thus we believe that governments should devolve power, wealth and arms down to the lowest possible common denominator (and to some extent, Switzerland does all of this.)
Currently major decisions are made by elected representatives – many of whom belong to a Politically Correct, metropolitan elite. This elite are well placed to put their own vested interests before those of the nation and people they are supposed to serve. We feel that this represents a democratic deficit and a form of intellectual dishonesty. Therefore, Liberal Future feels that major national decisions should be decided by people – via preferendums and referendums.
Secondly, we found it fascinating that the Swiss green organisation Ecopop (ECOlogie et POPulation, “Ecology and Population”) were the prime movers behind the referendum on immigration. Their initiative proposed two additions to the Swiss Constitution:
• Reduction of net population growth due to immigration to a maximum of 0.2% of total population per year
• At least 10% of Swiss federal development aid is to be invested in programs to encourage voluntary family planning.
Ecopop’s case against immigration was not based on race or culture but purely on ecological and environmental grounds. Switzerland’s population has risen more than 140 percent since 1990 and Ecopop are naturally worried about sustainability, current and future population growth and the destruction of land. They believe that by restricting immigration the environment would be safeguarded by reducing the need for new transport links and new housing.
Those who opposed this view – according to this BBC report http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-30267042 – included all the major Swiss political parties who “argued that the proposals would be bad for the economy because business leaders wanted to be able to recruit skilled labour from across Europe.
They also feared that if passed, the measure could put the country in breach of its international commitments and damage its image.”
The vote was held on 30 November, but it was overwhelmingly rejected by over 70% of those who voted.
At face value it looks like Swiss voters put material comforts before their nation, the land, fellow humans, flora and fauna. To us it appears that everything is to exploited and/or killed in the name of mammon. Indeed, our folk seem to be mesmorised by material goods – witness the events of Black Friday!
Given that respect for the environment is a central tenant of National Liberalism, our question is how do we convince our people that long-term green issues should take precedenece over the short-term ‘get rich quick’ scheme known as capitalism? With the current focus on materialism will the earth die screaming?
• Check out Ecopop on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/ECOPOP-Vereinigung-Umwelt-und-Bevölkerung/411791102166150?fref=ts
• Check out the Ecopop web-site here: http://www.ecopop.ch/
• CHECK OUT Liberal Future’s first debate here: http://nationalliberal.org/liberal-future-debate-1-%e2%80%93-should-we-lower-the-voting-age-throughout-the-uk
Date: December 28, 2014
Categories: Articles, Party News
Liberty & Nation Issue 3 – Help Spread The Word!
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A SCOTTISH supporter of the National Liberal Party has made a generous donation towards the publication of issue 3 of Liberty & Nation. As regular readers will know Liberty & Nation (L&N) is the main voice of the National Liberal Party. It forms an important part in our expanding range of educational and outreach material.
L&N was launched in October 2012 and is designed to circulate all over the British Isles. The first two issues have been pdf copies only – and to get hold of FREE pdf copies of them simply e-mail natliberal@aol.com
However, thanks to this latest donation, issue 3 will be available in both hard copy and pdf formats. As soon as it is produced it will be distributed door-to-door by NLP community activists.
Although details are still to be finalised, it’s anticipated that issue 3 will look at the constitutional crisis which has been provoked across the United Kingdom by the Scottish independence referendum.
Hopefully the NLP will be able to kick off 2015 with the distribution of at least 5000 copies of L&N. This is excellent news. It represents another important step forward for the NLPs strategy of building the infrastructure of an alternative mass media of news, information and entertainment.
However, we’d like do more to promote our ideas which oppose the old gang establishment parties and politicians. Will you help us? Either send a donation to help us print more copies of Liberty & Nation or help our front-line activists distribute this vital publication. Help us promote our message of hope!
Here’s how you can donate:
• Make a direct donation to our bank account: Bank of Scotland – National Liberal Party – 12-11-03 – 06186181
• Pay via our web-site: http://nationalliberal.org/the-party-organisation/donate
• Send a cheque or Postal Order to NLP, PO Box 4217, Hornchurch, Essex, RM12 4PX, England.
To volunteer with one of the NLPs community activist teams simply contact natliberal@aol.com
Look out for further news about issue 3 of Liberty & Nation. In the meantime, click here to read about issue 1 of L&N http://nationalliberal.org/issue-1-of-liberty-nation-out-now and here for issue 2 of L&N http://nationalliberal.org/issue-2-of-liberty-nation-looks-at-britain%e2%80%99s-housing-crisis
Also check out Liberty & Nation’s first e-poster http://nationalliberal.org/liberty-nation-says-fight-for-decent-jobs-housing-education-and-health-care
Date: December 18, 2014
Categories: Party News