Euro-Elections 2014: Attitudes, Communication, Illustration and Strategy – Have Your Say!
Yann Fouéré (26 July 1910 – 20 October 2011) was a legendary Breton nationalist. He was the first person to express the slogan for a ‘Europe of a Hundred Flags.’ His book, L'Europe aux Cent Drapeaux (produced in 1968) called for the establishment of small free nation states with equal rights across Europe but united through a formal federal link at a supra-national level. He is pictured (centre) here in 1967 debating the idea in Saint Brieuc, Brittany.
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: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/groups/52739504313/?fref=ts
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 forthcoming Euro elections. With the increasing likelihood of National Liberal Party/Nations without States candidates running, what should our attitude to Europe be?
In addition to this, our candidates intend to run on a dual ‘Euro-sceptic/Self-Determination for all’ platform. How do we communicate this to the electorate? What form of words should we use and what artwork/photographs should be used to illustrate our ideas?
Ideas relating to our overall strategy would also be welcome. By standing in the Euro-elections, what should we be aiming to do – simply raising awareness of the concept of Self-Determination, getting a ‘good’ vote, recruiting future ‘hard-core’ activists, a or a bit of each?
• PREVIOUS debates can be found here:
National Liberal Debate 1 – Should We Bring Back National Service? – Have Your Say! (13/02/2013) http://nationalliberal.org/have-your-say
National Liberal Debate 2 – American Imperialism … Is President Barack Obama As Bad As George W Bush? – Have Your Say! (11/03/2013) http://nationalliberal.org/american-imperialism-%e2%80%a6-is-president-barack-obama-as-bad-as-george-w-bush-have-your-say
National Liberal Debate 3 – What Constitutes ‘Hate’? – Have Your Say! (12/04/2013) http://nationalliberal.org/what-constitutes-%e2%80%98hate%e2%80%99-have-your-say
National Liberal Debate 4 – How Do We Replace Capitalism? – Have Your Say! (14/05/2013) http://nationalliberal.org/national-liberal-debate-4-%e2%80%93-how-do-we-replace-capitalism-%e2%80%93-have-your-say
National Liberal Debate 5 – How Do We Solve Unemployment? – Have Your Say! (19/06/2013)
National Liberal Debate 6 – How Do We Ensure A Fair & Decent Education For All? – Have Your Say! (26/07/2013) http://nationalliberal.org/national-liberal-debate-6-how-do-we-ensure-a-fair-decent-education-for-all-%e2%80%93-have-your-say
National Liberal Debate 7 – What Should Britain’s Defence Policy Be? – Have Your Say! (29/08/2013) http://nationalliberal.org/national-liberal-debate-6-%e2%80%93-what-should-britain%e2%80%99s-defence-policy-be-%e2%80%93-have-your-say
National Liberal Debate 8 – How Can We Defeat The ‘Money Power?’ – Have Your Say! (03/11/2013) http://nationalliberal.org/national-liberal-debate-8-%e2%80%93-how-can-we-defeat-the-%e2%80%98money-power-have-your-say
Date: January 14, 2014
Categories: Party News