LOOK OUT for a new leaflet – For A Truly Democratic Scottish Referendum! – that’ll soon be available from the National Liberal Party!

The leaflet deals with the Scottish Constitutional Referendum, scheduled for the Autumn of 2014. As many folks will know, that’s when Scotland will be asked to vote on its future. At the moment it’s likely that’ll Scots will only be able to choose from two options – should there be an independent Scotland or should it remain part of the union?

The leaflet argues that for the referendum to be truly democratic, there has to be a third option on the ballot paper – that of Devo-Max.

Devo-Max will keep Scotland in the United Kingdom but it’ll have the power to raise and spend its own money. Westminster will only look after ‘UK wide’ services like Defence and Foreign Affairs. The NLP believes that Devo-Max “is an important option that many people would prefer.”

As well as calling for the referendum to be truly democratic, the leaflet urges Scots to campaign for Devo-Max to be included on the ballot paper. “The people must be given the chance to vote either for independence, the union or Devo-Max.”

It notes there are three easy ways to help:

HAVE YOUR SAY! The Scottish Government is asking for your view on the referendum. Let them know what you think. Tell them that you want Devo-Max on the ballot paper! Check out www.scotland.gov.uk

TELL ALEX SALMOND! Alex Salmond is Scotland’s First Minister. He’s overseeing the referendum debate. Let him know that you want Devo-Max to be included on the ballot paper! E-Mail him now at alex.Salmond.msp@scottish.parliament.uk

DISTRIBUTE THIS LEAFLET! This needs to be a truly democratic referendum. More people need to know about the third option of Devo-Max. Why not take 100 copies of this leaflet and distribute them to your family, friends, neighbours and workmates. For more details simply e-mail us at natliberal@aol.com

The National Liberal Party will be producing more educational and outreach material concerning the Scottish Constitutional Referendum in due course. In the meantime, we’d urge all of our members and supporters in Scotland – and further afield! – to help get the third option – Devo-Max – on the ballot paper!

DEVON REPORT 2011

After a long break the Liberal Nationals have re-emerged in the Southwest in the guise of the National Liberal Party. A network of activists emerged through social networking sites and finding common ground during the local council elections in Torbay, South Devon. These activists soon gathered momentum and formed an active unit and were soon seen around the various towns and cities of Devon delivering leaflets and meeting local people.

This enthusiastic unit of National Liberals soon got down to the nitty-gritty of fund raising and within the first year of formation had its own Newsletter! The first issue simply named ‘South West National Liberal’ was soon hitting the streets of Devon. Activists were even seen in Neighbouring Dorset attending the annual Tolpuddle Martyrs festival.

Also covered in days of street activism were the Cities of Plymouth and Exeter along with Torquay and Brixham. Issues being discussed on the doorstep incude Coalition Cutbacks, Second Home Ownership and Slumdog Landlords

So if you want the National Liberal Party to visit YOUR Town, then please get in touch.

Glen Nicklasson

(Torbay Unit)

Did you know that the National Liberal Party has it’s own You Tube Channel? It includes video clips on the Magna Carta, Recruitment and our New Horizon magazine see http://www.youtube.com/user/NationalLiberalParty. We will continue to add to it. If you have any ideas why not contact us at natliberal@aol.com

THE National Liberal Party is well known for its annual campaign which encourages folks to ‘Shop Locally This Christmas!’ And this year is no exception.

With the possibility of a double-dip recession – and dire predictions for Britain’s social and economic future – we must do all in our power to support our local shopkeepers and our local economy.

Our campaign is based on moral, social and economic grounds.

Morally, we think that it’s both just and right to support local shopkeepers. In some cases, family-owned and run concerns have served the local community for generations.

Socially, we feel that local shops form part of the ‘glue’ that helps to maintain community spirit. WE can do no better than quote the writer and campaigner, John Papworth on this:

“Think for example of how shopping in a family-owned shop in a village high street means one is relating to ones neighbours, supporting the local village economy and generally playing an active, even significant, social role. Whereas in an out-of-town supermarket one is socially comatose and undermining the social significance of the local community economy. One ceases to be a citizen, one becomes a customer.”

Economically, money spent locally is more likely to stay in – and benefit – the community. Spending in giant supermarkets only serves to build the profits and power of the corporate might of the supermarkets. Additionally, their ideal is the complete opposite of ours. They believe that ‘big is best’ whilst we say ‘small is beautiful!’

With this in mind, we’d call upon all of our members and supporters to Shop Locally This Christmas!

Support your local shops

YES it’s that time of year again – Christmas is coming! But in your haste to do the shopping, don’t forget the local shops and businesses in your area. Give them an early Christmas present by shopping locally today.

The National Liberal Party knows that times are hard and price considerations are obviously very important, but many small shops depend on their Christmas trade to see them through much of the following year. At present, many shopkeepers are hit hard by the recession – caused by the credit crunch – high interest rates and the criminal bank debt-system.

The shopkeeper, as a self-employed businessman or woman, plays a vital role in the local economy. (And don’t forget that these small shops collectively employ hundreds of thousands of workers throughout the length and breadth of Britain). Local shops are not only important for the elderly and young mothers, but are part of the glue that helps to maintain community spirit – a place to bump into friends, neighbours and relatives.

If we don’t support our local shops and businesses today, we may loose them forever. Then people will have no other choice to travel directly into the nearest city or town centre for the smallest of items. This may be ok if you have your own transport and are fit and healthy. However, the elderly or young mothers wouldn’t really look forward to beating a path through the massive Saturday shopping crowds found in our large towns and cities.

The message is clear. For the community spirit to survive and prosper, we must give local shops as much trade as possible. The National Liberal Party says support your local shops, shopkeepers and shop workers. Shop locally this Christmas!

ISSUE 1 of New Horizon, the National Liberal Party’s ideological publication will be out very soon.

Paying homage to an earlier Liberal National/National Liberal journal (which was published between 1942–68) it will initially be published on an ad-hoc basis as an e-magazine. It may later be printed in conventional form.

The purpose of the e-zine will be to “allow writers to dissect the philosophy behind National Liberalism, discuss the national liberal credentials of world figures, engage in political debate and promote policy ideas.”

Thus the first issue of New Horizon – edited by Graham Williamson – will feature articles on Democracy, the Environment, the NHS, the Economy, Civil Liberties, as well as Reviews and much, much more.

The e-zine has been slightly delayed – it was originally scheduled for either late October or early November – because of Graham’s involvement with the re-launch of Fourth World Review. He told us:

“I met John Papworth, the founder, former Editor and now Editorial Board member, at a meeting of Sikh nationalists earlier this year. Over the last few years, I’ve read various different copies of 4WR and always found them very interesting and informative. I’ve always admired John’s great sense of humour, which is evident in his writing, and his determination to promote the ideal of ‘small is beautiful’.

Therefore, it was a great honour and privilege to be asked by John to help co-edit 4WR – along with Wayne John Sturgeon – and be involved in its re-launch. At the time I knew that this might impact on New Horizon, but I thought that it was vital to agree to host 4WR so that it wouldn’t be lost to history.

As you’ll know, issue 153 of 4WR was re-launched in London on Monday 14 November to coincide with the publication of John Papworth’s latest book, Why Schools of Politics and Economics Should Be Closed Down.

With 4WR published, I can now concentrate on New Horizon. I know it’s been a long time coming, but I’m sure the wait will be worth it!”

Whilst still on the subject of New Horizon, Graham confirmed that the NLP will be publicizing the e-zine using cutting-edge promotional tools.

The first of these is this extremely eye-catching and attractive ‘pre-publication’ e-poster. Other innovative ideas will follow. Watch this space!