‘Labour should appeal to English identifiers’ as poll shows 62% would vote for English Parliament
Labour should do more to appeal to people who identify as English rather than British after a poll showed that 62% would vote for an English Parliament, a campaign group has said.
According to the poll by Public First, an even bigger majority of ‘English identifiers’ – 72% – want laws that only apply in England to be made by MPs elected in England. 64% of all English voters, including ‘British identifiers’, thought the same.
English Labour Network, who commissioned the poll, said that it showed that Labour might start to win voters back by promising to stand up for English interests.
They suggested making sure that Labour names England when talking about England, publishing a manifesto for England, and devolving more powers within England.
The poll suggested that at the moment voters who are ‘more English than British’ are much less likely to vote Labour than the ‘more British than English’ (40% Conservative, 20% Labour), or to say that Labour is the best party to stand up for England’s interests (38% Conservative, 20% Labour).
Director of the English Labour Network and former Labour Cabinet Minister John Denham said: “Many issues shape the decisions voters make and England and English identity are not the only things that matter. But these issues touch on one of the most basic relationships between party and voter – does this party understand me and will it stand up for the things that are important to me? Labour is clearly failing to connect with English voters
“Our polling highlights Labour’s challenge. But it also suggests that a radical policy of democratic reform at national and local level would chime with English voters and get a warm reception from voters in England of all identities.”
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This just shows me how confused the English are about their nationality. All thanks to Westminsters BS.
All sides of the the political spectrum in England should make as broadcan appeal to those who proudly identify as culturally English (without resorting to blood and soil arguments). Or not. Until we are two neighbouring independent states, my focus will be more focused on our situation – the further the gulf between us now, the quicker we become free and the closer we can be after.
You mean, like that couple who argued all the time until the divorce but are now good friends!
England should start promoting the idea of Englishness more (something the Tories love and do often) so it will be ready for the day when it’s on its own. That day is coming.
Finally UK Labour are showing their true colours: red… and white.
I’m strongly in favour of an English parliament, both for England’s sake and for the sake of clarifying the distinction between the constituent countries.
I think Labour is also “clearly failing to connect with” Welsh voters. Labour courting the specifically English vote may finally drive home to Llafur that they have been something other than UK Labour for quite some time.
More evidence that Labour can never form another UK government. Occam’s razor would make the choice for Welsh voters quite simple.
We should also show our support for the idea of an English Parliament and English devolution and get the English progressives on our side. They are our natural allies for change on this island. It is the UK system that is unjust, not the people or aspirations of our nearest neighbour and friend. We have nothing to fear from English self-government. In fact it stands to reason that with an English Parliament, our Senedd would be further empowered and we would be more in control of our country. Win win for both countries.
Personally I hope to see the Northern Independence Party succeed so that the people of the North of England can have their own parliament. With an independent Wales and an independent Northumbria we would achieve what Glyndwr, Mortimer and Percy set out to do. Ultimately this would be in the best interests of Wales as our nearest neighbour wouldn’t be anything like as big, powerful or dominant. It would also be in the best interests of Northumbria as they would no longer be controlled by the corrupt Tory south of England. Many people laugh at the idea of Northern Independence… Read more »
Your assessment of the North/South divide is nothing but a piece of propaganda promoted by the Tories themselves… An FPTP means the Tory “safe seats” aren’t actually safe, as they’re often representing just 30% of their overall populace, and only get into power because of all the different Left-wing parties refusing to stand down in certain seats where they have one party with a close chance of winning.
The South suffered under Thatcher the same as the North, as coal miners in Kent were no different to those in Derbyshire or Durham.
The North doesn’t want or need a parliament.