WELCOME TO THE third and final instalment of our mini-series of articles which has looked at the various forms of Self-Determination.   

Whilst the whole raison d’etre of the National Liberal Party is Self-Determination, this mini-series was specifically written with the last Greater London Authority – GLA – elections in mind.  Here the National Liberal Party (NLP) had intended to stand up to 25 candidates (who’d represent the various diaspora now living in London) on a ticket of Self-Determination For All!  

Our election campaign mainly concentrated on National Self-Determination.  However, we also looked at matters relating to Economic Self-Determinationand Political Self-Determination.  

To date, this mini-series has examined Economic Self-Determination – http://nationalliberal.org/for-economic-self-determination – and Political Self-Determination – https://nationalliberal.org/a-referendum-is-an-act-of-self-determination  

Therefore, we now look at the major issue of National Self-Determination.  

So what do we mean by National Self-Determination?  

The NLP succinctly defines National Self-Determination as a system which ‘seeks to ensure decisions affecting the collective future of a nation are taken by ALL the people via referendum. This may be ‘External’, for example: the creation or maintenance of a nation state, or ‘Internal’ – framing/updating a constitution to reflect how a people should rule themselves. (We favour independent nations and liberal, democratic, states).’

Our friends & comrades of the pressure group Nations without States – NwS – aim to highlight the plight of peoples who aspire to nationhood.  Their Facebook site – https://www.facebook.com/groups/184919468292372 – provides more in-depth information relating to the meaning of National Self-Determination. 

For NwS, it ‘might be based on peoples or tribes based within a state or even across borders 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 will aspire to recognition, autonomy or independence.

As Self-determinists the group NwS will support the right of all such peoples to determine their future whatever they wish that to be. This includes for example the Kurds, Flemish, Sikhs and Tamils. A genuine Self-determinist supports the right of self-determination globally where it is based upon a sound and just position and is supported by the majority of its ‘national’ community. The slogan ‘what is right for me is right for you’ simplifies why genuine nationalism is actually an inter-nationalist creed, quite separate to chauvinism which seeks advantage for one nation at the expense of others.’

It’s with the above in mind that the National Liberal Party contested the GLA elections.  The delay in the election helped us reach out to activists who represented the many different people now living in London who desire Self-Determination for their respective homelands.   

Our GLA election campaign was fought largely on-line (although there was some targeted leafletting).  Here we produced posters, a manifesto & videos for distribution via social media.  And, although our candidates specifically representing their various national communities, they spoke up for ALL self-determination communities and causes. They obtained 2,860 votes but the main purpose was to promote self-determinist ideas. 

For more information about Self-Determination, check out the following Facebook sites:  

•  Facebook/National Liberals  https://www.facebook.com/groups/52739504313  

• Facebook/National Liberal Party  https://www.facebook.com/NationalLiberalParty  

• Facebook/Nations without States  https://www.facebook.com/groups/184919 468292372