Robert Baggs

NOT Nick Griffin

2011-10-24T19:15:00.005+01:00

Just thought I'd mention that 2 people have so far commented that I look like Nick Griffin in the photo below........ can I sue?

Reminded me of a previous incident of mistaken identity - see Danny Lake Blogspot here -

".....The highlight of the evening though was the fracas in the pub I had told everybody to go to. A couple of idiots walked in, saw Rob Baggs and thought he was Nick Griffin. He had only come along to see how it went and he ended up staring at two idiots in balaclavas with one of them holding a megaphone and screaming about a holocaust denier being in the room. ..."

Funny thing about the whole event was that only Danny Lake, Mike Howson and me knew of the venue Nick Griffin was due to speak in and that was subsequently compromised - I've always wondered who the informer was - one day we'll get to know I'm sure!

BNP RIP

2011-07-30T22:35:00.005+01:00

For many years I believed the BNP was going to be the only force that would ensure that the British way of life, our culture, traditions and history would be protected and that Nick Griffin was to be our saviour. There was a time I truly believed he would lead us into a new tomorrow and like many other political friends and associates from that time, looked up to Nick believing him to be the Nationalist hero of our time.

However, the issues that gave rose to the expulsion of the Decembrists made me question the motives and decisions made by Nick Griffin. After having given a fair part of my life (and my privacy) to the cause of our "Nationalist family", it was very hard to admit that you had wrongly been supporting a man who was not acting in the interests of the nation. I can only relate the feeling I had, to that experienced by William Wallace when he encountered Robert the Bruce, the man he thought was his own saviour, on the battlefield – see this clip

The Betrayal

Consequently I realised early on that I could no longer support a man who for whatever reason was not acting in the interests of the BNP and the British people and was making too many mistakes and missing too many opportunities that the BNP could have capitalised on.

Sadly, there are still those who believe there is something left to salvage – there isn’t! Nick Griffin has, through his actions, ensured that all of the good people I once worked with and who did so much good work for the party were either expelled, suspended or left in disgust. The BNP will never be a credible force in British politics, there is too much baggage, corruption and nepotism and Nick Griffin has so much control that he will ensure that if he is ever ousted the BNP will collapse.

If there are so called Nationalists out there who believe anything else then seek psychiatric help now – you are sadly deluded.

I recently came across an obituary to Frederick Chilumba, the one-time president of Zambia. In it there were some familiar occurrences and thought it worthy of reproducing here:-

“He soon became known for ‘authoritarian tendencies’. When his privatisation of state-owned companies faltered, he sacked colleagues; when most Zambians found themselves even worse off as a result of his mis-management, he blamed Kaunda – whom he vilified ceaselessly – for their plight. As his second term neared its end, (he) strove to amend the constitution in order to stay in power. Having been convicted of laundering millions of pounds of state money through private bank accounts in London, he was later cleared of all charges, because the money could not be definitively traced back to government funds”.

Will the last member please close the door on the way out.

No Future For Me, No Future For You

2011-07-21T20:12:00.011+01:00

The following shocked me:-

24.3% of pupils in schools in England are from an ethnic minority, up from 19.8% five years ago. In primary schools, 16.8% of pupils do not speak English as a first language; the figure for secondary schools is 12.3%. In Tower Hamlets in east London, 78% of primary pupils do not speak English as a first language. (Department of Education/The Guardian).

However, what is more shocking is that the British National Party, who at one time, looked like it could strike it big in British politics and help reverse the decay in British society are sadly today less than a shadow of what they once were due to mismanagement by it's leadership and the failure to take advantage of a potentially sympathetic public. So unless miracles occur and Andrew Brons is returned as the new BNP leader next week then all is lost. It may already be too late as the BNP has all but fallen apart and is now a laughing stock. It seems likely, if Griffin loses, to have it's infrastructure destroyed due to the vice like grip he has over it, particularly relating to it's finances.

Also sadly, we are now faced with a dilution of Nationalist support. The National Front seemed, of late, to be on the up, but have lost their way yet again. The British Freedom Party although well-intentioned are no more than a minor distraction and their off-shoot, the Freedom Democrats are no more than a minor irritation. Britain First are a little mysterious, currently a campaigning group with a hint of becoming a political party but apparently not yet as the time isn't right, a similar position to that of the English Defence League. UKIP refuse to accept BNP or ex-BNP members into their party and remain somewhat dull and ineffective most of the time. And the English Democrats still seem unable to break into the circle of trust that Nationalists have.

It may be that this is all a conspiracy to ensure that Nationalism does not gain the foothold to bring back a Britain that we can be proud of again. It may be simply just down to apathy and the unwillingness and continual failure of Nationalists to work together for the greater good. If there is any truth in the latter point then it begs the question as to whether they are true Nationalists valuing their origin and history or just prefer to be small fishes in big seas with the false importance that provides. I certainly have come across many "Nationalists" when I was active, who would "talk the talk" but find any excuse not to "walk the walk" and also those whose ego's were boosted through a "title" in a small organisation - who recognises themselves in either of these categories then?

But the serious point is that based on the above statistics, and I'm sure, much more data available elsewhere, I will be in the minority ethnic grouping during my lifetime and that matters to me.

The question we all need to ask ourselves is - do we really care? If we do surely then all the petty differences must be set aside and a way to work together found, if we don't care, then carry on and form as many political parties as you like to play at politics and pretending you'll make a difference. That's just what "the man" wants you to do.

Andrew Brons MEP in BNP Leadership Contest

2011-06-11T16:50:00.013+01:00

To all British Nationalists

Andrew Brons MEP to Stand

in BNP Leadership Contest

Whether you are members of the BNP, ex members, or from any other Nationalist background, now is the time to bury differences and give your total support to Andrew Brons.

This is probably the last chance to make the Nationalist voice heard loudly enough to wake up our people to the dangers they're facing.

For you must know, as well as I, that if we are serious about saving our country, our people and our culture, we have no time left to indulge ourselves in further pointless bickering. There's no time left to try to create new Nationalist groupings, as some well intentioned people have been endeavouring to do. Most of these new groups have only recently been set up because the frustrations of good people finally boiled over at what they've perceived to be a rudderless ship and rampant duplicity.

On top of this the undue influence within the BNP of Jim Dowson has been of especial concern to many (and has been a direct cause of many an activist walking away). Doubts about Dowson's probity has, it would appear, been a major reason for the unwillingness of members/supporters to give continuing financial support.

Please, if you have a vote in this leadership election vote for Andrew Brons.

from Andrew Brons BNP Ideas web-site

Andrew Brons, Member of the European Parliament for Yorkshire and Humberside, has declared his candidacy for the upcoming leadership election to be held in the British National Party.

Mr Brons’s candidacy will replace and take over the campaign started by Richard Edmonds, with his full support and encouragement.

“This challenge is not an ideological battle, nor is it personal,” Mr Brons said. “It is primarily concerned with rectifying the party’s internal organisation and ways of handling differences of opinion,” said Mr Brons.

“Our campaign will be based five core principles,” Mr Brons said.

“Firstly, we want to save the party from a haemorrhaging of members, especially activists".

“Secondly we must face up to and deal with the financial mismanagement which has afflicted our party. There is also an urgent need for financial transparency".

“Thirdly, we need to change the party’s constitution to make it more accessible and democratic to the members. It must also embrace a collegiate leadership".

“Fourthly, we need to change the culture of the party with regards to members’ interactions with each other".

“Finally we need to halt the practice of using the internal security and disciplinary procedure as a factional tool,” said Mr Brons.

The campaign staff already assembled for Mr Edmonds’s campaign, including his election agent, Chris Roberts, will make up the core team of Mr Brons’s campaign.

“We have mounted an all-out attempt to save the party,” said Mr Edmonds. “Many of us are of the opinion that the dangers caused by self-inflicted damage could see the British National Party irreparably damaged. “Mr Brons is the ideal candidate to unite and heal the wounds within our party,” Mr Edmonds continued.

“Mr Brons brings the benefit of his many years of experience and service to our movement. He is a man of integrity and proven selfless devotion to our cause and is respected by all. “I welcome most warmly his decision to step forward at this time of crisis. We need every person of goodwill if we are to succeed in the effort of saving our party and country. “I thank all the members and supporters who have helped, aided and encouraged me when I was the challenger. Mr Brons must be supported by all,” concluded Mr Edmonds.

Nationalists On-line?

2010-12-20T20:14:00.002Z

One of my New Years resolutions will be to refrain from writing on and reading the various political forums that exist. (Forums or fora? Apparently Google lists 3,720,000 entries for fora and 119,000,000 for forums, so forums it is then!) I have found them useful in the past reading them for information and using them to make controversial postings and provoke debate. This has its benefits but these are few and I consider my time better spent in positive and constructive activities.

Over the years I have been a member of and have posted on Stormfront (Britain), the old BNP forum which existed for a couple of years around 2007/2008, Nationalists Online and of late the Democracy Forum. The latter differs from the others in that it is a general political forum rather than a specifically Nationalist forum, although sections within it are.

Both the BNP forum and Nationalists Online forum were relatively short-lived and are no longer available. A few years ago Stormfront was once seen as the most popular forum to post and keep up to date but that, of late, has seemingly become used much less being replaced by the VNN forum. For some strange reason I was unable to register with that thankfully, so have until now utilised the Democracy Forum which seems quite active.

As said, all of these forums exist, with the exception of the Democracy Forum, to further the aims and objectives of Nationalists but in reality the sad thing about all of them, including the Nationalists sections of the Democracy Forum, is that the majority of those posting either wish to undermine such activities or belittle others. In doing so they create tensions amongst Nationalist groups and consequently do the exact opposite of what I thought they were supposed to be doing. So much for working together towards the future we all seek – our opponents must be falling about laughing!

Admittedly, getting involved in debate on some threads is addictive and often results in heated arguments and reactionary postings that, in retrospect, may have been better left unsaid or unpublished. However when you analyse the actual impact of anything published on these forums it is obvious that only a tiny fraction of people see what is going on, so it is not a case that, by posting good Nationalist items, the cause will be furthered by the generally inquisitive internet user searching for his true political home. It just doesn’t happen. I know that there are good Nationalists who post regularly but they are vastly out-numbered by those who are on-line simply to criticise or belittle and generally do their utmost to undermine any good that might be gained from the existence of such forums. Consequently the time spent posting and reading posts is wholly disproportionate to any good that may come from doing so.

The Democracy Forum is a prime example of where these negative, so-called Nationalists, can be destructive and divisory with pretty much all threads containing examples of posts of a negative nature, but although it may appear to be the place to be, it serves only itself and not the cause.

My understanding of political activity is that it is the inter-action between those who are prepared to stand up and make a difference and those who need help and guidance in making the right decisions for a better future for themselves and their community. It is not about bickering on forums by, those who think a difference can be achieved by involving themselves in low-brow discussions and debates from the comfort of their own homes, such debates only being seen by those Nationalists who know of the existence of such for and certainly not by the public that need to be won over.

To make a difference we need to get out on the streets and meet the people, write letters to newspapers, and leaflet the streets and hold meetings. Keyboard warriors need to get out more, literally. Only by getting out and about will we make the difference that is necessary to change things for the future we all seek.

Seeking My Political Home – Part 3 of 3

2010-12-17T19:57:00.003Z

See Part 1 for an introduction to this article and remember this was written around 15 years ago.

I had to join a party who believed in a Britain for the British, where the needs of the indigenous population were put first. I wanted a country where immigrants are not given preferential treatment in employment and housing matters and where the return of these immigrants to their own countries was deemed the best solution to the failure the multi-cultural society. Within those of ethnic minorities living in Britain there are people who have many skills, doctors, for example, which their own countries are crying out for.

I wanted a Britain that was able to retain a separate identity and control its own interests and economy, where it was possible to buy quality goods with a “Made in Britain” label on. A Britain free from a European Union, the Ecu and Brussels. A Britain which would stand up for its workers and industry,

I wanted a Britain which believed in traditional family values, one that would stand up to those wishing to infiltrate and upset his way of life.

I wanted a National Health Service whose main concern was the welfare of the people and not with determining whether adequate funds were available prior to treatment.

I wanted people to feel safe in the streets and in their homes. I wanted tougher prison sentences to help reduce the lawlessness in our society, prisons where criminals were not treated with kid gloves and where murder was punishable with the death penalty.

I wanted an independent defence force for our lands. I wanted the reintroduction of a form of National Service which would create a pride and purpose in the youth of the day resulting in a sense of responsibility to the nation.

I wanted the environment, the land, the air, the waters and the wildlife and their habitats to be properly protected.

I wanted a monarchy, a democracy and the freedom of speech for all.

The way forward was obvious. Only the National Democrats have policies which match the values and beliefs I have. It is a party which is not afraid to stand up and speak for the true British people. I believe the National Democrats are cementing the foundations in readiness to build towards government. I have been a member for three years now, there is no alternative. Only the National Democrats have the will to make Britain great again.

Well, there it is, a basic introduction to my early days in politics. Much has happened in between then and now and in future blogs I hope to fill in the gaps with general experiences, details of specific activities and thoughts I had at the time and have had in retrospect. It should include experiences as Secretary of the West Yorkshire National Front and selling The Flag at Elland Road on match days, via the National Democrats, to Wiltshire Organiser, South West Regional Chairman, Head of Personnel and Advisory Council member of the British National Party, various Red White and Blue Festivals, the Finsbury Park mosque demo and numerous elections, up to my current position as newly appointed Wiltshire Branch Chairman of the English Democrats.

Seeking My Political Home – Part 2 of 3

2010-12-05T17:45:00.009Z

See Part 1 for an introduction to this article and remember this was written around 15 years ago.

I still wanted to change the world and believed then and still do now, that we all have a part to play in how we protect our futures. By doing all we can to protect the environment, by ensuring our planet is a safer, cleaner place in which to live, we are acting in the interests of every living creature. In my late teens the Ecology Party (now the Green Party) seemed a new and exciting entrant in British politics. I was so convinced that the world would be a better place because the Ecology Party was there to make it so I joined, but solely because of their environmentally friendly policies.

After following them through the 1979 General Election I realised that their very existence had created a sympathetic awareness of environmental problems. Consequently all other parties realised the vote winning potential of these sympathies and developed their own “green” policies. The Ecology Party was essentially a very effective pressure group in this respect and I believe that although a political failure, it has been a great success in creating this environmental awareness amongst the general public and consequently the demand for the establishment to do something about it. As far as I was concerned the Ecology Party had served its purpose, the awareness of environmental issues had been brought to centre stage, any other policies were irrelevant and seemed too left wing for me anyway.

I was now married with a family and wanted something for me as an individual and consequently my dependents. I wanted to go far in career terms, I wanted more money, a better standard of living and I wanted encouragement to achieve this. I had to prove myself in competition and I was prepared to make the effort and believed people should only get what they deserved. I needed a climate in which individuals could achieve these things.

The Conservative Party had just come to power under Margaret Thatcher. At the time the Tory machine seemed a very powerful force indeed. Mrs Thatcher was either loved or loathed but it was agreed by all she was a great leader. There seemed an air of optimism everywhere, opportunities abounded for those prepared to work for them and better still the socialist would be taken down a peg or two. There was to be prosperity, house prices rose, living standards rose, shares were available for all. I wanted to be part of it and enquired about joining the party but fortunately never did.

What started as a great new dream changed into a nightmare. It was not an immediate change, my disillusionment set in over a period of years. The country I loved, the people, the great Britain of old was being sacrificed for a quick profit. The whole Conservative philosophy revolved around greed. This and their many other failures to uphold all that was good about Britain increased my anger with the fact that no party seemed to really care. The party many believed to be the solution to all our problems really was not. They are guilty of the gross mismanagement of Britain.

Once the envy of the world, our industrial and manufacturing base has been eroded as the Tories have failed to support British businesses and the British worker, against the unfair competition from cheap foreign imports produced by a poorly paid workforce.

There is an increasing, unnecessary and costly interference in our domestic way of life through what is now known as the European Union.

Most of our state-owned utility services, gas, water, telecommunications and so on, have been privatised making the respective shareholders happy of course, but the promised improvements in service have not been forthcoming despite large profits being made. I personally witnessed the dismantling of sections of the Civil Service, not a bad thing in many cases, but these sections were market tested at the expense of many jobs only to result in a the provision of a poorer service at great cost.

Refugees and immigrants are forever welcomed with open arms to our shores. It is not difficult to understand why they come to Britain instead of Sweden or Ireland or Germany, for example. Perhaps it has something to do with the knowledge they have that Britain is a soft touch when it comes to state handouts.

The party of “law and order” have not been prepared to implement policies to ensure acceptable levels of law and order are maintained and there have been no restoration of capital punishment despite the public demand to do so.

We have been subjected to the completely insane plague of political correctness which has embedded itself in the very fabric of our society, an evil essentially created by left-wing militant types during a right-wing government’s term in office. This is being compounded by the continual bombardment of our senses by the wayward influence of the “special friends” across the pond in America, of our business methods for example, and the general deterioration of good social and moral attitudes through the portrayal of extreme anti-social behaviour on television and in films.

It will come as no surprise that I concluded the Tories had not the slightest understanding of the needs or feelings of the general public, the same public which supported them so well at election time. The traditional way of life was being replaced by a faceless and unidentifiable mess. I had to reassess what was important to me and where I was to go from here. What choice was left to me? I believed the Liberal Democrats to be a non-entity with no policies of their own, the British National Party to be fascist boot boys (Note – written at a time when I knew nothing of the BNP other than the media influenced picture of them and their association with Combat 18 etc)... and the Monster Raving Loony Party were, well, a touch unbalanced!

Part 3 of 3 to follow shortly, after which I will write specific details of my political history and activity. It may be of interest!

English Democrats Win!

2010-11-19T20:43:00.005Z

Well, my decision is made and I’m now a paid up member of the English Democrats. Having been out of active politics for the best part of 2 years it’s not been an easy or quick decision to make but I think it is the right one after considering all of my options, but obviously excluding anything left-wing or the LibLabCon.

My research involved a review of the details contained on the Electoral Commission web-site and if you haven’t looked at it already go to the Electoral Commission main index page and have a delve.

Having spent 10 years as a supporter and member of the British National Party (web-site link) it has been a wrench but having seen the dramatic rise in popularity followed by the extreme mis-management and impropriety and collapse under Nick Griffin’s leadership I could not possibly contemplate a return. With the party on the verge of financial collapse I would urge all it’s members to get out while they can. With rumoured debts of around £700,000 and outstanding costs from court cases involving Unilever, Michaela Mackenzie’s Employment Tribunal, Equality and Human Rights Commission and the “December Rebels” someone is shortly going to find themselves very much out of pocket. The latter of these incidents prompted my decision to stand down from active involvement, knowing what dedicated and decent Nationalists Kenny and Nicholla Smith, Steve Blake and Ian Dawson are. To see in more detail how and why the BNP are falling apart have a look at Eddy Butler's blog and if want to know more about Eddy is then link here to find out.

It seems that some of the BNP rejects are heading to the British Freedom Party (web-site). Expelled BNP members Peter Mullins, Michaela Mackenzie and Simon Bennett together with Lee Barnes formed the BFP only recently (see Electoral Commission registration details). However the party is already in trouble with party treasurer John Savage resigning after falling out with Lee Barnes and nothing having been heard or seen of party leaders Peter Mullins and Michaela Mackenzie since the appallingly produced and acted introductory video posted on their site. The party is trying desperately to appeal to disenfranchised Nationalists announcing such high profile defections, from the BNP, as unelected councillor Mick “Mr Pastry” Simpkins. Barry Bennett has also recently joined so they will have at least one member who knows what he’s doing! I think it might be obvious I have not been impressed with the BFP.

Next to UKIP (web-site) the biggest of the group of parties loosely classed as Nationalist. UKIP (Electoral Commission registration details) had much promise when it managed to get a fair few MEPs elected in the 2004 Euro-elections, but it failed to deliver and despite being a supposedly anti-EU party have had no impact whatsoever either with the EU or in domestic politics back home.

I have great respect for The National Front (web-site) having cut my political teeth with them in the early 90’s but they are making a big mistake in sticking so steadfastly to their unworkable policy (see National Front policies) on repatriation i.e. ".... the National Front would halt all non-white immigration into Britain and introduce a policy of phased and humane repatriation. Such a policy would be expected to extend over 10-15 years and its completion would thus depend on the recurrent election of successive NF governments". Although seen by hard-core Nationalists as being “true to the cause” it simply means that the party will never be accepted by the vast majority of the voting population in this country and will never reach the heights it did in the late 70’s. See the following link for (Electoral Commission registration details).

The England First Party (web-site) are just a smaller version of the NF with a broadly but not as specific policy on repatriation i.e. "Stop all further immigration and start a programme of voluntary repatriation of non-European immigrants back to their lands of ancestral origin" - (see England First policies). See this link for (Electoral Commission registration details).

An even smaller party, the English Independence Party (web-site) led by Andrew Constantine has presumably disbanded, having, according to their Electoral Commission registration details been formed in April 2000 as Andrew Constantine registered the English Peoples’ Party (web-site) in February 2008 (Electoral Commission registration details).

Yet another new party - One England has only very recently formed, see Electoral Commission registration details. I’m not sure how they will do but with only a Facebook page (click here) and no web-site as yet it looks like it is going to be a struggle.

Next the “will they or won’t they” English Defence League, not strictly a political party but currently looking at the options for introducing a form of membership, if the posting on their Facebook site English Defence League (EDL) on Sunday, 14 November 2010 is anything to go on. “There is a lot of Rumours going round with regards to a membership scheme. So to set the record straight – At the request of a large proportion of the EDL we are looking into the option of a voluntary membership scheme”. Potentially, with the support they have, they would rival any of the existing Nationalist parties for members but probably not for support at the polls.

So finally to the English Democrats (web-site) who pretty much have the policies, that are potentially acceptable to the electorate and that I am comfortable with. The party has a membership of similar size to that of the BNP when I joined and so I feel that much can be achieved in the future, particularly if it does not get side-tracked by dalliances with other Nationalist groups. I have confidence that any differences in that area can be overcome and the party move forward united to a bigger and better future. See here for Electoral Commission registration details. I will report on progress in due course.

The English Democrats - Onwards and Upwards?

2010-11-16T19:29:00.004Z

I'm looking at where to go politically and found this, any views?

What we stand for

The English Democrats believe that our heritage is the bedrock of the future of England. Day by day we see this great country being undermined by legislation that puts minority interest first whilst breaking down the English way of life. It is as if England never stood for anything, but we always have. We have five key messages here but, for more detailed information, turn to our manifesto.

English Identity

We demand the right to enjoy and celebrate Englishness. We say that pride in our nation and community is healthy and natural. This is why we call for an English First Minister, Government and Parliament with at least the same powers as that in Scotland. Far too often 'English' is presumed to be synonymous with 'British', and 'England' with 'Britain'. It is as if England as a nation does not exist except for sport, whereas Ireland, Scotland and Wales each are accepted as being nations with their own identity. Being English is simple – one need only recognise England as a nation in her own right, value the English community and want to contribute positively and constructively to it. Our party welcomes anyone on the electoral roll of England to join, irrespective of background. All who identify with and feel themselves to be English are welcome.

Political Correctness and Multiculturalism

It is time common sense prevailed. The various quangos promoting political correctness should be closed and those laws promoting political correctness repealed. We want traditional English freedoms and values, a political system that cares for the rights of the majority rather than the minority, that values the English community ahead of individuals who are opposed to it. An England that puts its own people first, not last, and values the rich heritage of the Christian faith which has shaped our country’s laws and values. The main political parties' view of multiculturalism is both naive and dangerous; worse still is the fact that we have never been allowed to vote on it. Many English cities are being colonised by immigrant communities who do not want to be part of English society, who want their own language and laws and reject English ‘Western’ values. Which begs the question: why did they come here in the first place? And leads to the second question: why not go back to wherever they feel they actually belong and give us back our cities?

Immigration

Immigration is out of control. England is the third most densely populated country in the world and, for its size, the most densely populated country in Europe. We have neither the space nor the resources to permit more large-scale immigration. England is targetted by hundreds of thousands of economic migrants each year, who know they can come here easily, costing English taxpayers £billions a year in benefits. Worse still, immigrants are granted housing that young or needy English people are entitled to. In short, mass immigration has placed severe strains on England's housing accommodation, Education and Health Services, and exacerbated road congestion. It is time to close the door. Mass immigration must be ended. We would deport illegal immigrants and all those immigrants who are extremists, terrorists and criminals. We would regain control of our immigration systems by leaving the European Union.

Leaving the European Union

English Democrats advocate withdrawal from the European Union (EU) and rejoining the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), which will guarantee free trade with the EU and free us from EU political rule, saving us its £63 billion per year cost! England should assert her own Sovereignty over her own people and reject the legislation that Brussels is continually forcing on us.

The Family

It is often overlooked that the family is a fundamental building block in the structure of the English society. Marriage also plays a key role in the family, representing a lifelong commitment between a man and a woman and from this union children are raised in the security of a loving home. We will stand up for both the family and marriage, rejecting secular attempts to place same sex partners into the context of either.

Our Cause

Is trying to save one of the world's oldest nations from being broken up by conniving British establishment and Brussels elite.

Is giving the 50 million people in England a national voice through our own legislative parliament, something that every other western nation has as of right.

Is promoting fairness, national empowerment and the positive cultural recognition of England.

For too long, England has been buried under a British identity by Labour, the Tories and the Liberal Democrats. For too long, England has been shamelessly abused, compromised and pillaged by successive Westminster administrations. England is not Britain-Lite, nor a disparate collection of EU-regions! England is not a cash cow for the benefit of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. England is a proud and historic nation! How ironic then that England, the originator of the modern two-tier parliamentary system copied by every other western nation, is unique in being denied even the most basic of democratic rights of self-determination and cultural expression. We English are not even permitted our own national anthem, and St Patrick's Day gets more official support than our own patron saint's day! (St George)

Over the past decade, New Labour has been engaged in an undeclared policy to destroy England as a national entity. They have continued the work of the Tories before them and with the ever-willing help of the Liberal Democrats, England is now constitutionally non-existent.

If, like us, you too think England is in danger. then you need to do something about it NOW!

You need to join us, the English Democrats, the only political party fighting to preserve our country England from the hostile hands of Westminster and Brussels.

We are passionate about England's cause........The English Democrats; not left, not right, just English.

Seeking My Political Home - Part 1 of 3

2010-11-03T21:22:00.013Z

The following is the first full article I had published in Nationalist circles and was written when I was quite new to active involvement in politics and was a member of the National Democrats (from Wikipedia). For those that may not know, the National Democrats, now long gone, were formed as a result of the majority of the membership of the National Front voting to change the name of the party.

At the time I wrote the article I was a civil servant and to avoid any problems as a result I used the pseudonym Bob Case, created by Martin Wingfield I seem to recall.

I am not sure what year the article was published, but it was probably around 1995 / 1996, due to the fact there is no mention of the National Front, as though this was a conscious effort to try and make the National Democrats appear new and fresh and “untainted” by that association. In a subsequent blog I will fill in the gap that seems to have been left as a result.

The article appeared in Vanguard No 46 and the editorial in that magazine says “Vanguard is published to advance the cause of British democratic racial nationalism. In the United Kingdom this is only upheld by the National Democrats”. Stephen Ebbs was the editor at the time and articles penned by Martin and Tina Wingfield also appeared in that edition. Simon Darby was also a member of the National Democrats and stood as a candidate for them prior to the National Front formally changing it’s name, by way of a test of the public reaction to a candidate standing for the proposed new party name. I recall he did quite well, adding weight to the case for a name change.

Having been on quite a political journey since that time it is apparent I was also a lot less wise than I am now when I wrote this! It also perhaps emphasises my current belief that although the British National Party is dead in the water, the British Freedom Party is not the answer and according to information available over the last 24 hours already seems to be having difficulties with John Savage, the National Treasurer and a five-minute Nationalist, publicly resigning from the party after disagreeing with the wording of an article penned by Lee Barnes and which appeared on the BFP web-site.

Anyway, on with the article: -

Foreword (presumably by Stephen Ebbs) – There are an infinite number of routes which can be taken from becoming politically aware to finding a political home which reflects that awareness – this applies to all political parties not just the National Democrats. In this article, member Bob Case describes the path together with the political observations which he made in the route to his eventual political home.

The fact you are reading this indicates that you are either already a member of the National Democrats or have sympathies with some or all of our policies. We all have different reasons for believing what we do, it may be that you realised early in life the policies of the National Democrats matched your own beliefs and ideals. For me it was not quite that straightforward.

I became politically aware in the early to mid-seventies when the hippy culture was breathing its last breath. The greater individual freedoms resulting from this culture appeared to lead many people, particularly those like myself of the younger generation from working-class families, to believe that the socialist ideal was the ultimate way to lead a fulfilling life. We naively believed all that was necessary to make the country a better place was for everyone to be equal. We simply though it was just a matter of distributing wealth and goods equally.

I left school at eighteen and started work immediately, fortunately unemployment was not something with which we were greatly concerned in the late seventies. Once in the real world, the world of adults and responsibilities, I rapidly realised that, although all people are born equal, inequalities resulting from parentage, schooling, the class system and so on seemed as strong as they ever were. It soon dawned on me that to enable the equality of the socialist ideal, would in socialist terms, require taking from the wealthy, regardless of whether rich through their own endeavours or resulting from, for example, inheritance, to give to the poor. In reality it was not the romantic Robin Hood theory of economics, but the politics of jealousy and envy. It meant that those with something worth having would be made to suffer for it in order to prop up those without. Now that’s not always a bad thing, but more often than not the prop would be for those who could not be bothered and those who considered the world owed them a living. Ultimately all ambition, competitiveness, class, privacy, geographical boundaries, sovereignty and so on would be removed.

I did not want this, I believed I had to make my own way in the world and stand or fall by the decisions and choices I made. Because of my traditional upbringing I believed in myself, had what I considered sound morals, was well behaved and had respect for people and property. I felt I could get somewhere in life and that I had something to give. I knew I was better than some but not as good as others. I wanted to improve my lot by my own efforts and did not expect or want anything to be handed to me on a plate. My “red” phase was short-lived and I knew it was not going to return.

BNP or BFP? Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha.........

2010-10-28T22:41:00.005+01:00

I don’t know whether to laugh or cry! British Nationalism as we knew and loved is dead on its feet. The British National Party has all but been abandoned to Nick Griffin and his sycophants, as anyone who was anyone in the party has either been expelled or has left in disgust at what has been done to the party and ultimately to the people it purports to represent. Nick Griffin is guilty of the greatest of all crimes, in that he has betrayed his own people, as a result of his gross mis-management. Replacement parties, the most notable of which, the British Freedom Party, formed by disgruntled ex-members, are doomed to failure as has nearly always been the case and I take no pride in having been involved in the mis-guided renaming of the National Front to the National Democrats which subsequently disappeared into the dust.

I watched, with interest, for the time that Eddy Butler appeared to be in with a shout to take the BNP back for the true Nationalists, but again, as a result of Nick Griffin’s changes to the Party Constitution and underhand tactics, this too was doomed to failure as is Eddy’s stand that new parties should not be formed and we should wait until the party belongs, once again, to its members. It’s time to be honest and admit it’s never going to happen, is it?

Having spent nearly 20 years involved in Nationalist politics I feel betrayed that what could have been a great movement has come to nothing. Time and time again the mantra has been that, now more than ever before the time has been right for us to rise up and become a really major force to contend with. But no, missed opportunity after missed opportunity been squandered together with a multitude of screw-ups, either badly handled by poor management or deliberately badly handled to sabotage the impetus that existed. Admittedly, there were high points, councillors elected, even MEPs, but one wonders whether even these were stage managed and could have been even better results. I fear that the “powers that be” have instructed their lackeys “Don’t let those nasty Nationalists get any further than this piece of rope will let them” and although not one for conspiracy theories can’t help but feel British Nationalism, particularly the BNP has been managed to ensure those sympathetic to Nationalism have been corralled together and then systematically destroyed by those “powers”.

I ceased active involvement with the BNP for short periods on a couple of occasions, for various reasons which I will possibly come to in later blogs, but will simply say now that I did so quietly and without making public the issues contributing to those decisions as I did not wish for any use to be made of my reasons by those who live for undermining the Nationalist cause. However, times have changed and I can’t do any more harm to the cause than it seems to have done to itself.

One such short-lived withdrawal from active involvement occurred in 2006 and the reason for writing about it now is as a result of seeing the emergence of the British Freedom Party, the great pretender to the melted BNP crown. The appallingly poor introductory video which purports to be a casual interview with, according to,

The Electoral Commission web-site registration,

party leader Peter Mullins and the nominating officer Michaela Mackenzie, when the latter of the two is clearly speaking from a script. Nothing from the heart here then! Very cosy their relationship may appear but a few years ago nothing could be further from the truth and was partly the cause for my withdrawal from active service. I believe Peter to be an honourable man but Michaela to be manipulative, preparing bullets for others to fire and I would hazard a guess that the BFP is her idea as is Peter as leader.

Anyway back to 2006 and a couple of emails which relate to a meeting that took place in Exeter.

The first is an extract from an email that I replied to as follows:-

Thu, 3 August, 2006 16:27:38
Re: Fw: SW Meeting letter

From: Robert Baggs <*******@******.***>

To: Peter Mullins <************@******.***>
________________________________________
Hello Peter
Thanks for this, however, as I had had no confirmation that the meeting was going ahead I have made other arrangements and will not be available. However from the invitation letter is appears only a selected few are expected so there should be no problem.
Best wishes
Robert

Peter Mullins <************@******.*** Hello, Everyone. Having studied Sadie's E Mail it would appear that all of you have been committed from her list of recipients. As you are all active Party Nominated Officers I think you should be, at least, made aware of this Meeting. Perhaps you have received from Sadie the same invitation in a different format; I do hope so. Regards, Peter ----- Original Message ----- From: Group Development To: Edited out Cc: orgbulletin@bnp.org.uk

Sent: Sunday, July 30, 2006 9:07 PM

Subject: SW Meeting letter

END

It seems somewhere along the line the rest of the message disappeared, but it clearly refers to a meeting that was to take place and that some officials had not been invited.

My diary shows the meeting took place on Sunday 20th August in Exeter and I did actually attend, just to test out the reasons why I thought certain people had been omitted from the invitation list.

I will then refer back to a telephone call I received in the early evening of either the Saturday or the Sunday of the activist’s weekend a while before this meeting took place. The call was from Mike Howson who, with Michaela Mackenzie, was attending the activist’s weekend. He told me that he had had discussions with Michaela (and Sadie Graham) regarding their unhappiness with Peter Mullins performance as Regional Organiser. Mike said they were taking steps to get rid of him and thought I would be the best replacement and asked if I was prepared to take the role on. I said I would think about it and later rang him back to ask if anyone had actually discussed this with Peter as I didn’t want to be involved in back-stabbing events (similar to those I had been subjected to a couple of years earlier and in which Michaela had also been involved and which may be explained further later). I have had many years managing staff and was well aware of how to handle such situations the need to ensure suspected poor performance is discussed and chances given to rectify any problems if they existed before making rash decisions. I also said that if I accepted the job I would have to set out certain terms, nothing major like being paid back-handers or anything like that, no, simple terms to ensure me some protection against similar treatment in the future. Nothing more was ever said to me and I attended the meeting referred to above by default. I had predicted the outcome of the meeting in that the post of Regional Organiser came up for discussion and Mike Howson was duly nominated by, yes, you’ve guessed it, Michaela and it came to pass that Mike became the RO and presumably remains there still despite having “Organised” the total collapse of what had been built up before in the Region to the extent that Searchlight even ran articles on the “threat” we represented.

At the time I had had enough of those who wanted to run the party as though it were a private club and emailed Nick Griffin on Monday 21st August accordingly, although he was apparently having problems with his email account so I followed the email up by post. I also sent the following email to Mike Howson:-

Wed, 23 August, 2006 19:39:15

Resignation

From: Robert Baggs <*******@*****.***>

To: Mike Howson <*************@********.**.**>
Cc: Clive Wakley <******@******.***>
________________________________________
Hello Mike

Glad meeting went well last night.

I am writing to inform you that after considering recent events in the SW I have today tendered my resignation from all party activity with immediate effect to Nick Griffin.

This action has been taken after careful consideration but essentially is due to the deliberate withholding of information and the lack of common decency shown to me by local party colleagues and those I had counted as friends. In particular I am referring to our telephone conversation that took place whilst you were at the activist’s weekend some time ago when you advised that you and others were unhappy with Peter Mullins as SW Chairman. You continued to say that if he could be gotten rid of it had been agreed the best candidate for the job would be me and that I had the appropriate support to take this on. As you will recall I stipulated various conditions under which I would consider this, these conditions being to protect me from the back-stabbing incidents and general lack of civility to me by several members, when I carried out the role before.

After that conversation the subject has never been raised again nor was the fact that there was to be a meeting on the 20th to discuss the situation, a meeting I only heard about by default. This did not bode well for an honest and successful future working relationship, hence my decision.

To be honest, I would probably have declined the role had I been offered it.
I have written to all Calne members advising them I have stood down and asked them to contact you for information on future meetings.

Best wishes for the future.

Rob

END

I do have the originals of these emails should anyone doubt their validity.

Anyway apparently, somewhere along the line, I was told that nothing further had been said to me as I had stipulated conditions to my accepting the role and this was unacceptable.

For the record, I ceased active involvement with the BNP in March 2008 as a result of the treatment of the “Voice of Change Rebels” and my membership ended on 31st December of that year.

As far as my political future is concerned I will be deciding at the end of this year what I will do but the reader can be sure that it won’t be with the BNP or the BFP, I’d never know who was on whose side!

Perhaps there may be more on my political adventures in the near future, so watch this space.

Griffin Destroying BNP

2010-09-07T19:34:00.004+01:00

Below republished with thanks to the BNP Reform Group Website

Is Nick Griffin An MI5 State Asset?

Tuesday, 07 September 2010 15:47 Written by Guest Writer

Anyone with any sense who has watched the activities of Nick Griffin since he appeared on Question Time might ask if he is working for the British Secret services, who are now, thanks to the Blair and Brown administrations, entirely communist and Islamist infiltrated, to destroy the British National Party.

His apallingly cringe-makingly embarrassing TV and Radio performances. His deliberate destruction of the party's chances in the last British General Election where he went into Barking to assist Margaret Hodge and Labour to oust the BNP entirely from the area. His alleged thefts of party funds which have possibly resulted in a refusal to hand over the accounts to the electorial commission. His engagements with the law; and he is a grauduate in law from Cambridge, which cost the party hundreds of thousands and may soon make it bankrupt.

He deliberately wrote red meat into the party constitution in order to assist Trevor 'whip-hand' Phillips of the EHRC to go after our party. Griffins latest trick is to try to get the EHRC to obtain a judgement that will place him for a short period in jail; long enough to write his Mein Kampf and become a martyr of the lowest scum in the country; appealing now to the lowest common denominator to keep his support up while the decent people of the party; the educated and the wise are being suspended in large numbers.

Western Civilisation is coming to an end fed by marxist infiltrators like Barak Obama in the US and Red Dave Cameron in the UK. They are determined by any means possible to continue mass immigration legal and illegal, to smash the power of the West and siphon off our national wealth to the East. This is because the people who funded their campaigns and placed them in power are the trans-national, Internationalist oligarchs who want to create a one world government with a one world police force and one world military. Why? Because by using a combination of Islamic terror to keep the populations down and marxist politics to run the economies and feed the masses they can destroy the middle class and create a world of the very rich and the very poor with endless cheap labour and no competition. The oligrach heaven which co-incides with the Marxist and Islamist heaven of total control over the people.

The BNP reform movement is alone, it receives no support from an intellgencia drunk on the proceeds of an uber-liberal Red state which pours funding into their pockets. British intellectuals like blacks and Asians in Britain are the well fed, well funded slaves on the plantations of the Reds who will not give up their comfort zone for the mere purpose of saving a nation, civilisation and culture. Britians intellectuals are the enemiers of the people. Fat, corrupt and deliberatly blind to the realities. As in every Red regiime there is a phoney opposition; the Melanie Phillips's, the ones who come up with piecemeal exposures of the regime but being themselves liberals are just useful idiots of the state.

Britain needs a party with real men and women, real patriots and fighters. It needs a party which will have the commonsense to understand what it takes to win power both in terms of party structure, widening the demographic of the membership and seriously examining its policies.

The ship is going down, the sands of time are running out and we have fifteen years to get into Downing Street to avoid the demographics. Mass immigration continues unabated under the conservative-liberal one party state.

The End Of The BNP Is Nigh!

2010-07-14T21:42:00.003+01:00

News that an undisclosed sum was agreed in settlement of the recent Employment Tribunal, as brought by Michaela Mackenzie against Nick Griffin, adds to the recent list of avoidable costs that the BNP is liable for such that bankruptcy is all but inevitable and the party forced to fold as a result.

Hopefully the many ex-members, myself included, who having left because of how the party has been mis-managed will join together and form a replacement party from the ashes, but excluding Nick Griffin and his toadies.

I support Eddy Butler in his leadership challenge but having had many years of experience of how the party rules are created and varied to suit Nick Griffin surely means that Eddy’s challenge is doomed to failure.

There was a time that many of us looked upon Nick as being the saviour of British Nationalism and despite Ms Mackenzie’s statement that:-

“Griffinite members of the party must bear responsibility for what he has become. He is a monster of their own creation. For years they have fawned upon him, bloated his ego out of all proportion to reality, encouraged him to believe he can do no wrong and that he isn’t subject to the laws, restrictions and codes of morality that determine decent conduct for the rest of us mere mortals.” - she must also accept that she is as guilty as the rest of us for the current situation.

In fact, I once thought of Nick Griffin as a friend and worked with him on a couple of projects at his home and shared meals at his table with his family. He also thought highly of me for a while saying in one of his emails to me, in response to mine when resigning from all but my membership as a result of the expulsion of the so-called “Voice of Change Rebels” in early 2008, that “I'm glad you're remaining a member, and hope that after due time you'll get back involved at the level at which your considerable talents actually make it your duty so to be”.

I recognize, however, that any of us, when attaining a certain status amongst like-minded people, can suffer from the feeling of invincibility related to the power and control associated with such status and therefore neglecting the real purpose we are there for. Having been a member of the Advisory Council and Master of Ceremonies at several Red, White and Blue festivals gave me an insight into the dangers of this, albeit at a lower level. This nevertheless resulted in receiving a lecture from that half-witted, failed South West Regional Organiser, Mike Howson, that “the party couldn’t afford to support those with ego’s….. “. I think Howson was simply envious of the profile I had attained, but this was not as a result of egotism, but simply a belief in doing what I believed was right and taking the occasional risk (see Baggs v Fudge) as a result. Such risks as Howson would not have taken being so scared of his own shadow that he referred to himself as Mike Howsman until 2007!

It is obvious to those with just a passing interest in human psychology that Nick Griffin is insecure and relishes the power and attention that his position brings him hence the venom when anyone challenges or crosses him. I vividly recall an Advisory Council meeting at which he openly described the then recently departed Warren Bennett as a “c**t”. Just as well his mother Jean wasn’t taking the minutes on this occasion then.

The appearance of Jim Dowson in the party marked the time from when the mismanagement of the BNP went from bad to worse. Admittedly Dowson made the party a lot of money for the party but at a high cost. Also at a time when the BNP should have been capitalising on the issues resulting from all of the social problems and the worst Prime Minister ever, they never did. The Question Time fiasco is a prime example of that!

Is the situation retrievable? I don’t think it is, the BNP has had their chance and blown it. However, there is just enough time for those many good people I worked with over the near 20 years of involvement in Nationalism, to regroup and start again under a new banner, perhaps with the financial backing of Ms Mackenzie.

Whatever happens, things need to move quickly, come Christmas Eddy Butler may or may not be the new leader of the BNP, if he is then I wish him well with the reformation, if not then the BNP is most definitely history.

BNP Leadership Challenge

2010-06-30T20:52:00.004+01:00

Interesting times - Robert Baggs supporting Eddy Butler

Official Announcement
The Leadership contest is ON!

Following a series of meetings and discussions involving members of the British National Party who believe that we must have a change in the leadership of the Party, it has been decided that Eddy Butler should stand against the current Chairman Nick Griffin MEP this summer.

It is hoped that the campaign will be conducted in a clean manner with honest and open debate on the issues at hand.Teams will be organised in all regions to get the required number of signatures in order to be nominated as a candidate.

If you would like to be part of one of these teams please send you details to:butlere2010@hotmail.co.uk

Details of the team working with Eddy Butler and his candidate for Deputy Chairman will be announced shortly.

This will be a very exciting campaign and a chance for the British National Party to re-launch itself. It is vital that there be new leadership for the BNP for the following reasons:

1. It is essential that we have financial transparency and competence, so that the membership and our donors have faith in how their money is being accounted for and spent.

2. It is essential that spending is kept under tight control. We are facing hard financial times and vast amounts are thrown away on avoidable litigation and on wasteful internal projects. The Party is facing insolvency over the next few months due to a series of imprudent decisions by the leadership.

3. Our resources must be targeted at our ‘front end’ activities – elections, councillor support, local recruitment and organisation.

4. The Constitution must be revised to ensure we have both strong leadership and accountability. At present all power is vested in one man, the Chairman, with virtually no checks, and the Constitution is skewed to make it almost impossible to remove him.

5. There must be a careful separation of powers between the Political Chairman and the Party Administration.

6. The Party has got stale and needs a total revamp. The authoritarian leadership style inhibits new ideas and stifles debate.

7. A new draft Constitution will be written up and publicised and an EGM called within six months of a successful leadership challenge.

8. The aim is to stabilise the Party – to enter the Welsh Assembly and Scottish Parliamentary elections rejuvenated, and with proper local support for the vital round of local elections next year.

9. The Party must be given room to breath internally in order to find new longer term leadership. Next year we will have a full new leadership election under the new fairer Constitution with several fresh candidates who we can choose between in a civilised debate. That new leadership can take us on with confidence to contest the 2012 London Assembly elections and we can face the future with renewed vigour.

Most members agree that Nick Griffin MEP has done a tremendous job these past eleven years in promoting the BNP. This will always be remembered with gratitude. However it is now clear that we need a re-launch.

• Funding has dried up.
• Our financial liabilities are mounting.
• Enquiries to the Party from the public have plummeted.
• Our electoral progress has all but halted.
• Our activist base has lost its enthusiasm.
• There are no new ideas or initiatives from the centre.
• The central machinery of the Party is failing and not functioning properly.
• The local organisation needs rebuilding with a fresh set of eyes.

We do not have the luxury of waiting for several years before the current Chairman feels it is time to leave. After eleven long years Nick has accumulated a massive amount of baggage which makes him less popular with the public than the Party. In bringing the Party forward Nick has become more of a public liability than an asset. It may be unfair but it is nevertheless true. It is inevitable that after eleven long years, the old Chairman will have run out of steam, particularly when due to his European commitments he commutes by car every other week to Brussels or Strasbourg.

Now is the time for change. It has to be now as the Party must be able to revitalise itself ready for the next rounds of elections. Eddy Butler has the experience to do this and to build a team that can bring in stability and unity.

Under a new team:

• Many who have left our Party will rejoin.
• Many who enquired but didn’t feel the Party was quite right, will re-enquire and get involved.
• Many people who have felt the Party isn’t quite right and have instead got involved with other parties will join.
• Our donors will have confidence provide the funding necessary for growth.
• By removing the harmful influences and the alien Corporate consultancy culture that infests the upper reaches of the Party, our activist base will be re-enthused.
• By opening up the Party and allowing the talent we have within our ranks to express itself, we will get new ideas and new approaches to old problems.

Eddy Butler has stepped forward to bring in these changes now – to help the Party find its way to a better and more ultimately victorious future. We must have change.

For further information go to: http://www.eddybutler.blogspot.com/

Enquiries to: butlere2010@hotmail.co.uk

Politics - My Story - Ecology Party to the BNP and Beyond

2010-05-19T21:41:00.002+01:00

Well, shall I or shan't I - can I be bothered and will anyone be interested? I've been there and done it and even have a tee-shirt, so I might. Not sure when but there may be some stories from behind the scenes that will be good to tell.

Watch this space and the story will unfold, or it won't, who knows? Depends if I have anything better to do...

Gordon Brown for Prime Minister ..... Not!

2010-04-13T19:54:00.009+01:00

In just over 3 weeks we will know who our new Prime Minister will be. God forbid it be the current incumbent of No 10 Downing Street the wonderfully charismatic Gordon Brown.....

James Gordon Brown was born in February 1951 so will be 60 next year and became Prime Minister by default in June 2007 taking over from the equally wonderful Tony Blair. He married his wife Sarah in 2000 at the age of 49 causing rumours that he only did so to make himself respectable and further avoid suggestions that he was homosexual.

Brown has a PhD in history from the University of Edinburgh but has seemingly learnt nothing from past historical failures. His blindness in one eye was caused at this time as a result of a kick to the head during a rugby match. His early career was spent working as a television journalist, but funnily enough didn’t make this a permanent career move. Brown has been an MP since 1983 for Scottish constituencies but prefers to run things from England. It may interest local readers that in the 1979 general election, he stood for the Edinburgh South constituency but lost to Conservative candidate, Michael Ancram.

After the sudden death of Labour leader John Smith in May 1994, Brown did not contest the leadership after Tony Blair became favourite and it has long been rumoured he struck a deal with Blair in which he agreed to give Brown control of economic policy in return for Brown not standing against him in the leadership election and this is thought to be the root of the private rifts between them.

As Shadow Chancellor, Brown worked to present himself as a fiscally competent Chancellor-in-waiting, to reassure business and the middle class that Labour could be trusted to run the economy and his subsequent term as Chancellor once Labour were elected was praised in some quarters but has by many been seen as the main cause of the problems which currently exist in Britain. Between 1999 and 2002 Brown sold 60% of the UK's gold reserves at $275 an ounce. After this there was an unprecedented rise in the gold price resulting in £2 billion of lost potential revenue (at 2007 gold prices). As a result, the period from 1999 to 2002, when gold prices were the lowest for 20 years, has been dubbed the Brown Bottom. On top of this Brown was reported to believe it appropriate to remove much of the third world debt therefore suggesting he was prepared to Britain’s financial burden even more.

Brown succeeded Blair as Prime Minister in June 2007 and on the day of the general election will have served almost 3 years in a position he was unelected for and has been totally unsuitable for having taken over from Blair the problems in Iraq and Afghanistan and been even more inclined to crawl up the backside of the warmongering American president’s Bush and Obama. On top of that the whole political structure has been brought into disrepute by the many financial scandals over the last few years, education and the health service have fallen towards those that might be expected of third world countries, more powers have been signed over to the European Union and just generally become the most despised Prime Minister I have ever known having ridden rough-shod over what is best for the British people pursuing his own left-wing agenda.

Should anyone feel that Gordon Brown has the right credentials for continuing as leader of this once great land I suggest the following videos which will hopefully help with your decision.

The first shows why you wouldn’t invite him to dinner

The second shows how sincere he can be......

and the third, how he is likely to react on 6th May

Goodbye Gordon, may we never hear from you again.

(With thanks to Wikipedia, YouTube and Guido Fawkes)

A New Beginning!

2010-02-08T21:44:00.002Z

Well, so far it's a new mobile number, a new car, a new job and a new house, what's next? Cosmetic surgery??

A Labour MEP, the BNP and Cuba - the Final Week in Varadero

2010-01-06T13:49:00.023Z

As it’s very snowy today my mind has returned to warmer places and the fact I needed to complete my blogging about my holiday to Cuba. So for those of you still there, hope it helps warm you up!

Sunday and another lazy day at the pool side is called for. I read Akenfield (click for link) and for anyone wishing to know more about rural life in days gone by this book is ideal. The sense of community and pride that those in this book had, seems lost for now but I suspect this will return one day. Even my pet lizard though it was worth popping out of his bamboo home to have a look at.

In between chapters a swim in the pool was called for to cool down a bit. You meet all sorts on holiday, especially in the pool and it’s strange how you get into conversation with people who you can relate to being in the health business. On this occasion we had a conversation with a neurosurgeon who taught medical students how to cut up dead bodies and his wife who informed us all about her urinary tract infection. Mmmm, they were going home later that day so perhaps it was just as well. Out of the pool and some local beer next, not the sort of thing I would normally drink but in this environment it was most refreshing.

For our evening meal we went into the big hall for a buffet and barbeque as there was a show on and very good it was to, with dancers, a Cuban band called Conclave, who also appeared later on in the week as evening cabaret in the main restaurant and from whom I bought a CD (as you do when on holiday!), more singers and a magician. A very entertaining night and then back to the room before the mosquito’s swarmed.

Monday after breakfast I entered the pool for my first swim and was mulling over whether to discuss Health and Safety with the fellow who was sucking the leaves and other debris from the pool. The electric cable that his machine was attached to trailed from somewhere in the distance, across the shrubbery and through the water in the pool. A bit scary but also in a way it was quite refreshing that the Cubans don’t have to put up with some of the constraints on normal life that we do! After a lazy day it was back to the room to get ready for the evening. The room suddenly became quite dark and from our balcony I saw that the sky had become very cloudy. Then our first encounter with the rain began – see the video link below.

As soon as it arrived it disappeared and we could continue getting ready for our first visit to one of the several themed restaurants on the complex, having booked a table in the Romantica. Everyone there was most friendly and the food was good and after our meal the couple on the next table beckoned us over and we shared a bottle of wine with them. The male half of the couple on occasion, happened to make what I can only describe as a workers revolutionary clenched hand salute, as he extolled the wonders of the Cuban society. It was obvious his politics were somewhat to the left of mine and in conversation his wife informed us he was the Labour MEP for Stoke until 1999 when he lost his seat under the new list system. She also poured scorn on the rise of the BNP in the city and had I wanted to cause a fuss a very interesting conversation could have developed but I was on holiday so let it be. It turned out we were sharing a table with Michael Tappin (see wikipedia link) and his wife. I later discovered that, in 2007, he became Leader of the Labour group on the Stoke-on-Trent City Council only to lose his seat in May 2008 when the BNP made gains in Stoke (see link). Oh, how we laughed! He will have to be content with his job at Keele University as an American Studies lecturer. We went back to the bar after the meal and it was good to see yet another champagne socialist worse the wear as a result of his alcohol intake as he became more difficult to understand as the evening progressed and so we excused ourselves and headed for bed.

I was woken up early on the Tuesday morning by the sound of vomit splashing on the tiled floors as the lady in my life failed to make the bathroom in time. It seemed something she had eaten the previous night had not been quite right and so she was proper poorly. We spent all day in the room with meals of toast and crisps being the only ones that could be faced. Sadly we watched television for most of the day as with limited channel availability CNN and The Weather Channel were as exciting as it got. However, it was interesting to watch the coverage of what they termed “historic floods” caused by very heavy rain across America, mostly ignored by the British media I believe.

Also of interest were the reports by the fantastically named Wolf Blitzer, (only in America!), about politics and realising how paranoid the Americans are about oil and the worrying fact it was likely to reach four dollars a gallon – trying living here Wolf! Also of interest were reports about the Congressional Black Caucus (BNP members see this link re. membership criteria). We also watched another reporter by the name of Thomas Buffenburger with his plastic face which seemed to epitomise all other media-savvy Americans. It was quite scary and reminded me of The Stepford Wives with regard to how false they are and how they were falling over themselves to make positive comments about Barack Obama in the run-up to the elections in America. It became increasingly apparent that however democratic and free and wonderful the Americans think themselves to be, their society actually seems to be bigoted, insular and racist in private, but not in public and at the time I thought how unlikely it was as a result, that a black man would become president. Oh well, I can’t be right all the time. I also remember thinking at the time whether the British media would cover this presidential election to any great degree and again it appears that the answer sadly is yes they would.

Wednesday arrived and we were back to the routine we had adopted since here although were particular about the food we selected for our meals. After lunch we decided to go for a stroll along the beach and saw there were major storms heading our way from Florida.

We headed back for the relative safety of our pool-side spot and being undercover could comfortably sit and watch the rain begin.

This time it was accompanied by rather loud and startling thunder and lightning as can be seen from the video below!

The next day was Thursday and whilst at lunch I saw proof that the Russians were still major players in Cuba and despite there being a dress code for dinner, completely ignored it and were rude and abusive to the staff and this was deemed acceptable. Consequently they have replaced the Germans and their beach towels as my number one holiday dislike.

Later that evening we were hoping for a relaxing time sitting in the bar drinking until a rather larger crab appeared from under the sofa.

Not sure that this picture does it justice with regard to the size of it but hopefully it can be seen as large enough not to want under your chair!

Friday was much of the same but the wildlife on this occasion was turtle-like.

Saturday was a lazy day again as was Sunday and we left Varadero at 4.30pm for the airport and the long flight home.

Monday morning we fought the depression of being back in Britain and stopped at the motorway service station for some fish and chips to remind us that some things were still good here. It didn’t help the depression – all the workers at the service station were foreign. An old couple on the table next to us were having difficulty communicating with the manager regarding a query they had with their bill and I felt very sorry for them. Was I glad to get home? After 29 hours awake I guess it was ok but it just further emphasised the deteriorating conditions we endure here.

Wootten Bassett - Muslims to March

2010-01-04T22:03:00.004Z

No doubt everyone has heard of the proposed march by Islam4UK in Wootten Bassett – see link below:-

Muslims March - Wootten Bassett (since posting, this link has mysteriously become unavailable - Google it and you'll find plenty of references)

It won’t happen – simple as!

Anjem Choudray has got his publicity and patriots and nationalists have been appropriately wound up - job done then Anjem - now get out of our bloody country and take your alien religion with you.

Copenhagen - Emperors New Clothes!

2009-12-13T20:09:00.002Z

"I have for a long time now thought that nothing could, or at any rate would, be done to prevent climate change.

People in wealthier countries will not accept the necessary changes in lifestyle, and people in developing countries will not abandon the attempt to achieve lifestyles comparable to those found in the West.

The activity leading to climate change is a dance of death governed by forces beyond our control.

Individuals cannot affect the situation by insulating their lofts and not leaving their TVs on standby. No country can give up its place in the dance without risking the impoverishment of its people.

The only question we need to ask is what happens when the music stops and the exhausted dancers confront their destiny? Do we wish to be a rich country facing desertification and inundation by rising sea levels, or a poor country facing the same fate?"

Letter from Gordon Broadbent, London - As published in The Independent.

Gordon Brown Has Blood On His Hands!

2009-11-08T20:03:00.002Z

Goodbye Havana – Hello Varadero!

2009-10-17T20:54:00.010+01:00

It may be that a large tip was being sought, as on return from our trip to Vinales we found swans made from the bath towels on the beds. Very nice touch, but I don’t do tipping if I can help it. Some may say I’m tight and the Cubans are poor but my conscience is clear – not my fault, blame Fidel, his people might be short of cash but I’m sure he’s not!

After checking out and a last look at the fantastic lobby (see blog entry 23rd Feb 2009), we were directed to our coach for the long journey to Varadero.

Several long hours later we arrived at our home for the next ten days, The Hotel Paradisus. We walked from the air-conditioned luxury of the coach into the intensely hot entrance lobby and walked along long wooden walkways bordered by fish-filled waterways to the main lobby and were met by a welcoming glass of champagne as we were checked in.

We were then taken to our room in which the air-conditioning was set on “refrigerator” setting and surprise, surprise, were met by yet more swans.

After freshening up and changing we walked down for some food and a relaxing evening. The buffet was very similar to that in Havana with almost anything you could think of and all washed that down with nice cold local beer. We wandered about the hotel complex trying to get our bearings and decided to stop for a quick game of table tennis and then it began...... the mosquito’s arrived! They don’t affect me normally but were nipping and annoying me, but unfortunately they were really aggravating my girlfriend, so we headed back to the room.

As a result of the discomfort caused by the bites we had rather a restless night and once morning came we could see the reaction the bites had caused.

A trip to the on-site medical centre was called for. We took a seat and the “nurse” came to call us in. I say “nurse” as, although I am sure she was adequately qualified, we felt she might have stepped straight out of a 70’s soft-porn movie as she wore a white mini-dress and was not unattractive. Unfortunately I was told in no uncertain terms that I was very healthy actually! The hand was presented and due to the severe allergic reaction an appointment with the doctor was booked for an hour later. We attended at the due time and were offered an injection or some pills and having opted for the pills and asking how we were to get them were advised to wait whilst the prescription chap fetched them for us. In ten minutes an elderly grey-haired black fellow appeared on his moped with the prescription. We paid the due sum and were advised to take one of the bright blue pills at regular intervals. I’m sure they were quite safe. The doctor also suggested keeping covered up to avoid further mosquito aggravation and you’ll see a picture below of those who took this advice seriously.

Saturday set the standard for the rest of the holiday, as after breakfast we prepared for a day at the pool and a read, with my book choice for this day being Billy (Connolly) by his wife Pamela Stephenson. A very good read if you haven’t yet had the pleasure.

The sun was bright, the water was great and the drinks from the bar were plenty and the day seemed long and most relaxing. Tomorrow would be Sunday and the first day of our final week in Cuba. The last blog instalment of the Cuban experience will be next and then I think I’ll get back to some more thought provoking and controversial blogging with a touch of politics here and there.

Robert Baggs Blogs Again!

2009-10-06T18:32:00.018+01:00

After a long blog-free period I, perhaps sadly for the reader, have felt the urge to blog again and to get back in the swing thought it appropriate to complete my tales of the experiences encountered during my trip to Cuba. So taking off from where I left off, an early night was called for as it was to be an early start the next day for a day trip to Vinales and more photographs and video, a selection of which can be found here although a more comprehensive selection can be found on my Facebook site. It was a Wednesday morning and only time for a quick breakfast before getting on the bus to Vinales. As we were driving through Havana on our way it seemed an ideal opportunity to take a few snaps and from our air-conditioned modern coach there seemed quite a contrast to the vehicles around us.

We stopped at another hotel to pick up some more travellers and the local communist activist strolled on to give out his propaganda including the obligatory Che Guevara peso and a copy of the communist newspaper Granma some of which actually made quite interesting reading and reminded me somewhat of the Nationalist papers that were available in the old days.

The day was going to be a long one and the time would be better spent looking at the sights. The day’s itinerary included several stops including a visit to a small tobacco farm, a boat ride through caves and a meal out in the sticks. First stop was at the tobacco farm and the bus stopped in a pretty decent lay-by, which would put many British lay-bys to shame incidentally. The tour guide addressed us, in not quite the perfect English he seemed to think, advising us all, with a very straight face, that, “We are stopping here for a break so you can spread your legs”. From the lay-by, we were directed to the small farm.

The picture shows a tobacco drying shed in the foreground and the farmer’s home in the background. We actually were taken through the farmer’s home first, through the front door, into the living room, in which the family were sitting, past the bedroom and out through the kitchen! Local produce was available to buy at discounted rates in the kitchen. A short walk through the field took us to the drying shed and then the tourist’s shop which sold, as usual, cigars and rum. Then back on the bus and off again. As we got further away from Havana and deeper into the countryside it was apparent how much poorer the people seemed and how much more they relied on an agricultural almost subsistence basis to survive. We saw many fields being ploughed by teams of oxen and carts being pulled by bullocks and even bullocks being ridden.

Next stop was for lunch, but first a trip through caves by boat, which certainly sounded interesting as was the walk from the bus to the entrance which took us through our first jungle-like area. The concept of Health and Safety is, probably fortunately, not one that the Cubans are burdened with. However once they started the engines on the boat and the diesel fumes filled the enclosed cave it must have crossed everyone’s mind as to whether it was safe or not.

The cave trip was a very interesting one even if the extent of the light available was simply a very strong torch. The exit to the cave was very impressive

until it could be seen that the boat would have to turn quite sharply to avoid going over the weir!

The chap in charge of the boat had obviously carried out the manoeuvre many times and any concerns were quickly alleviated and we were on dry land once more. Just a short walk along the track led us to the restaurant which seemed to appear from nowhere.

We took a place on one of the benches next to the long tables and ended up sitting next to fellow foreign travellers whose language we could not understand and their grasp of English was nil. With a few shy smiles and nods and gestures we were soon taking food from the communal platter of potatoes and salad and fruit and other odds and ends as we had now come to expect. Once done a quick trip to the toilet and back on the bus. I’m glad I was not in need when I saw the toilet attendant holding on to a roll of toilet paper and issuing all those entering with four sheets on receipt of a small donation.

The next leg of the journey was more of the same but well worth it to see the beautiful valley (although sadly the video taken with my ordinary digital camera doesn't do it justice).

It was truly a sight to behold and we could have spent more time there than we had but time was pressing and we were off again to the town of Vinales itself. We stopped in the centre of what was essentially a town built around a crossroads. Again the wide variations in lifestyle were apparent with brand new vehicles, the older vehicles and the bullock carts.

After a wander around to take in all of the sights, sounds and smells it was time to board the bus for the return to Havana and a last night in the Cuban capital before our journey to the seaside resort of Varadero the next day.

In Cuba following the Steps of Frank Sinatra

2009-03-27T15:32:00.003Z

After another breakfast which could have been of boiled bacon, chilli, yogurt and sprouts but wasn’t the hotel tour was what was planned for the morning. After meeting the elderly lady, who took the tour, at the appointed time in the lobby it was apparent it was inadvertently going to be slightly comical. She began by introducing herself and it was immediately apparent that what she thought was an excellent grasp of English must have been in her mind only as she had all of the right words but many in the wrong order and spoken very quickly with a strong Hispanic accent. This resulted in all four tourists on the tour having to try to lean closer to her to understand what was being said. Apparently the lady was a retired civil servant who enjoyed taking these tours to the extent that she did it for free. As a civil servant she was loyal to Castro’s regime and had worked in the bunkers that could be found below the sea front side of the hotel’s gardens.

Much of the history was very interesting, particularly the number of celebrities that had stayed at the Hotel Nacional de Cuba over the years and we visited numerous floors and various rooms in which the celebrities stayed. These ranged from Nat King Cole to Winston Churchill to Robert Plant to Frank Sinatra and many, many more, all of whom have their photographs on the wall of the small bar on the side of the hotel near the Tarzan Pool (so named as a result of it being the pool used by Johnny Weissmuller when he visited and swam in the pool with Cheetah the monkey, as the tour guide said).

The Frank Sinatra story was of particular interest in that he happened to visit the hotel at the same time as the Mafia had their annual get-together. They took over the whole of the second floor which is the floor with the balcony all around the hotel and it just so happened that Frank Sinatra was booked into the suite which was within spitting distance of the main meeting room for the Mafia.

As said, it was a very interesting tour but also quite comical as everyone strained to understand what was being said particularly as the ending of sentences seem to trail off into whispers, but the guide was very knowledgeable and thoroughly enjoyed what she was doing despite having done the same thing possibly hundreds of times.

As the tour ended it felt only right to go to the verandah bar for more cocktails, the Mojito and Pina Colada being favourites, this followed by a light lunch and then a casual stroll around the parts of Havana surrounding the hotel. Despite being told by numerous people that Cuba is one of the safest countries in the world it is a most uncomfortable feeling when being stared at by groups of rough looking Cubans at every corner. However, as the day was absolutely scorching the tour was a short one as the hotel pool was calling.

The evening meal consisted of black beans and rice and a Cuban band playing the standard types of music heard in all restaurants and bars. Then back to the verandah for more cocktails! One of the more obvious other attractions was the number of very attractive young girls, most of which must have been in their mid to late teens. What was initially thought strange was that these girls were with much older men, most of whom, in fact could have been their grand-parents. After watching them for some time it was obvious the liaisons were all part of the oldest profession, yes, despite Cuba wanting to give the impression it was a morally fine place prostitution was rife and in the Hotel Nacional de Cuba. So off to bed and unlike some, a good night’s sleep as tomorrow a trip to Vinales and more photographs and a video.

On Tour With Robert Plant In Havana

2009-03-18T19:53:00.013Z

A beautifully warm and sunny day greeted everyone on boarding the bus for the guided tour of Havana. The journey itself was an education, again seeing the different types and quality of buildings, cars and the Cuban people going about their daily business. Not all of the cars driven by Cubans are as classy as might be imagined!

After a short drive the bus stopped in one of Havana’s suburbs, the name of which escapes me, but which was home to one of the several rum factories in the area. To see a small factory producing such a class product is quite something, the workers seemed very proud of what they did and rightly so as the free samples offered proved. This sort of small-scale, high quality, industry would have been seen in the UK before the big businesses took them all over and it seems a shame that we have lost these.

Most people on the trip bought souvenirs and at the equivalent cost of just over a £1 for a bottle of rum (or Ron as the Cubans know it), of which there were many varieties, so those ready to move on waited on the balcony at the front of the factory. Despite it being very humid and comfortable enough for shorts and t-shirts small wet spots began appearing on the road, the origin of these spots becoming suddenly apparent when the heavens opened and the first of many tropical storms were experienced. A damp stroll back to the bus for the next stage in the journey was then undertaken and no sooner underway the sun returned.

Next stop was Revolution Square around which many government buildings exist including that occupied by Che Guevara when he was Finance Minister. (For further information on these click on the links). The square also is the location where many major parades and other events take place and should they take place on a day like when we visited it is difficult to believe that anyone could remain there for any length of time as it was absolutely scorching hot.

Getting back on the bus again, next stop was the Havana Fortress which protected the harbour from invaders from the North. From the Fortress there were great views of Havana including the Hotel and also grey clouds gathering in the distance which seemed to be heading towards the Fortress. Loud cracks of thunder together with flashes of lightning accompanied the clouds and it was clear the bus was the next stop.

As the rain began and got heavier and heavier it became apparent that any further sight-seeing was going to be impossible unless a soaking was deemed acceptable. So, we skipped the museum of the revolution to head back early to the hotel, the journey was again entertaining watching the Cuban children running about in the rain and laying in the huge puddles that soon appeared.

Arriving back at the hotel early another people-watching session in the garden enjoying a Mojito or three before tea was what was called for and on wandering down to the restaurant for a buffet tea, strangely with a similar selection of goodies as were available for breakfast awaited us and as I studied the pictures on the wall of the stairway on the way there. It seems that the hotel has had a great number of celebrities visit in the past.

Well I thought that if it was good enough for Robert Plant then it was certainly good enough for me!

More about Havana and celebrity next time and hopefully a couple of video's as well and once the Cuban adventure ends there may well be more on other issues including some political comment. Lucky you!

More From Havana

2009-03-06T20:07:00.008Z

From what has been a particularly miserable winter it’s easy to reminisce about the two weeks spent in Cuba last summer, the heat, the cultural contrast, the distance from home and the ease with which I could switch off from all of the “wonders” of modern Britain.

The room in the hotel was as might be expected from what we had experienced of the hotel so far. It was bright and airy, basic but very comfortable and had fantastic views of the hotel grounds and the area around the hotel and the sea.

On what was left of the first day we had a wander in the gardens of the hotel, walking to the flagpole and looking at the Cuban life going on around the area and spending time sitting on the terrace people watching and drinking cocktails. As darkness crept in we went for our first meal which was as quick and easy as we could make it as the journey was catching up on us. A burger and beer in the American style diner, a very peculiar situation considering the hatred Cuba has of it’s neighbour just 90 miles away. To finish off the evening it was a moonlight stroll in the hotel grounds to see what we could of the Cuban nightlife. There were many cars cruising up and down the Malecon, the main coastal road in Havana and a multitude of locals sitting on the sea wall to socialise, chat and play music. A final cocktail before turning in for what might be a restless night now the body clock had been interrupted.

Next day was a Monday and waking early I thought taking a video of what could be seen from the hotel window would help kill time as breakfast would be an hour or so away. The buffet breakfast was interesting as there seemed to be as wide a range of food as was possible for breakfast including sprouts and carrots, chilli, eggs, very fatty bacon, pancakes, fruit and so on. I decided to pass on the sprouts. Once full a walk around Havana was planned, checking out the Malecon first. Once outside the hotel the many styles of architecture found in Havana were quite evident ranging from the classier buildings built prior to the revolution to the more ramshackle affairs built since. Apparently due to the lack of attention to their building stock Havana sees the collapse of 200 buildings every year!

Crossing the wide roads was a doddle as there is plenty of road available for the traffic to run on it but the first encounter with “street entertainers” was found on the other side. Two young Habanero’s, one with a guitar, the other with maraca’s began performing following the route taken until I gave them a couple of coins. Lesson learnt – avoid people loitering with musical instruments! Half a mile along the road to the west was another intriguing sight, I was going to cross back over the road to investigate further but this move invited some interest from the armed guards which were in evidence.

What had interested me was a square in which there must have been around 100 flag poles all flying black flags, each with a white star on. I later learnt that the building being guarded was the U.S. Interests Section (USINT) representing American citizens and the U.S. Government in Cuba and operates under the legal protection of the Swiss government. The armed guards were Cuban police who were there to restrict access to the Interests Section. The flags in the square opposite were erected in 2006 by Castro to obstruct a display board at USINT which showed ticker tape news on human rights issues and each apparently represents a Cuban who had died as a result of the U.S. foreign policy in Cuba.

Anyway back to the hotel for a quick lunch and then on the bus for a trip around Havana, but more on that next time. If you want to see more photo's then join me on Facebook.

Next Instalment - Calne Man In Cuba Story

2009-02-23T18:57:00.009Z

Although modesty prevents me from publishing the comments received yesterday, thanks are due to “Glasgow” for being partly responsible for the resurrection of my blog. Whether or not this is a good thing is not for me to say, however hello again to anyone who might still be out there!

I will start off by completing what I started previously detailing the experiences I had in Cuba.

Our long flight from England had culminated at the airport in Havana from where we picked up a taxi for the next leg of our Cuban adventure, the journey to the hotel. As we approached we could tell that the Hotel Nacional de Cuba certainly lived up to it’s name as the most prestigious hotel in Havana, if not in Cuba (although the view in the photo below is from the rear and is not particularly good so a trip to Cuba via the link above is recommended).

The taxi dropped us at the main entrance and the driver was out opening the doors and taking the luggage from the boot. Following the bell-boy through the entrance doors and into the massive lobby it felt like we had been transported back to the 1930’s, or certainly an old Hollywood film set.

The lobby area must have been a good 50 yards or more from end to end with what appeared to be a timber ceiling 20 feet above us. We were directed to the check-in desk, which again appeared to be like an old film set, all wood and old fashioned looking, set next to the currency exchange office which was similar but with metal bars for security. We checked in and went to obtain some local currency.

Until fairly recently the Cubans were happy to take American dollars in exchange for the Cuban peso but their hatred of the Americans has resulted in the banning of dollars and they will only take sterling and euro’s. Happily for now I was able to offer the former and obtained enough pesos for the stay. I’m not sure how the system works but the peso’s were Cuban convertible peso’s and I believe this to be the currency issued to tourists only, so the authorities can keep control over the money supply. At the currency exchange desk I saw the first and last computer I was going to see in Cuba, similar to those I was using twenty years ago!

So, off to our fourth floor room closely followed by the bell-boy and our luggage via the lift shaft which was another splendid example of pre-revolution Cuba. One of the things I rarely do, as a matter of course, is to give tips. This isn’t because I am tight-fisted, although others might argue the case, but I have always felt that it is not for me to subsidise employers who are too greedy to pay more than minimum wages to their more menial staff and also because I never know how much they expect. Additionally I believe that unless someone provides me with an exceptional service they don’t automatically deserve such recognition. Anyway despite all of this I had decided I would tip whilst in Cuba unless I could get away with not doing so and slipped the bell-boy 1 peso which I had roughly calculated to be around 75p. The whole money thing in Cuba still confuses me despite reading in my travellers guide about how it works and I would appreciate it if someone could clarify it for me. My understanding however, is that, in this socialist state, everyone is paid the same monthly salary and is also entitled to a weekly grocery package including one toilet roll per day and other basic necessities. They are also provided with a house, receive free education and a free health service similar to our own. Of course where the British NHS differs is that it provides free prescriptions, unless of course, you are in England where we have to pay. That, I am sure is not just a sore point with me and is worthy of another blog entry or even a series of it’s own!

Well it all sounds cosy in Castro’s Cuba but the system is one that I find difficult to understand. Why is it, for example, if everyone is paid the same, would anyone want to take on a stressful job rather than the easiest? What incentive is there to train in anything if your financial reward was likely to be the same as everyone else? Additionally what about tipping? In theory a bell-boy, who receives regular tips, could earn more than a doctor who receives none if any?

There are many conundrums about their system and sadly I fail to understand, so will leave you for now with those questions and continue with my experiences on another day.

A Future In Calne

2008-12-09T18:37:00.003Z

It's almost six months since my last blog entry and much has happened not least of which has been my total withdrawal from the political scene. My views are still as strong as ever but I can no longer, for reasons which I may refer to in future blogs should the demand warrant it, feel comfortable being involved in organised politics.

I may re-activate this blog but I am not going to write it just for my own satisfaction, it would be nice to know that there are a few who feel it would be worthwhile, so let's see if there is any demand and we'll see what we can do.

Journey To Cuba

2008-06-30T21:39:00.007+01:00

At last I’ve found the time in between work, my social life and other ventures, currently in the pipeline, more of which at a later date, for updating my blog as promised with details of my trip to Cuba. The adventure started back in late January when the weather was dull, Christmas had not long passed and it seemed the year ahead would be a long one. Having agreed on taking a holiday somewhere a bit more challenging than a country on the Mediterranean as usual, and somewhere a little exotic and unusual, we chose Cuba, (Libya will have to wait!).

The booking was confirmed on Sunday 17th February and as luck, or not, would have it, on Tuesday 19th Fidel Castro essentially announced his retirement....

We had wanted to see Cuba as it was, under socialist control, but also without the influence of western civilization particularly that of the good old US of A. We were a little concerned for a while, as to what would happen in the country as a result of the change, but it seemed our fears were allayed when it was announced that Fidel’s younger brother Raul was to take over and nothing was expected to change, certainly in the short term anyway. Apparently (according to Wikipedia) Raul has implemented changes allowing, for example, “ordinary” citizens to buy DVD players, PC’s, scooters and other energy consuming products. He has also freed many prisoners and loosened up travel restrictions for Cubans. All changes which in the overall scheme of things, for Cuba, seem quite major, but still fall way short of what, we, in Britain take for granted, despite the oppression we continue to suffer under our wonderful Labour government. Unfortunately, it seems however, that what Brown, and Blair before him, see as the way forward for Britain, is actually a way back to a state run on similar lines to the way that Cuba is. Big mistake Gay Gordon, old chum, the British people won’t tolerate it. Eventually they will realise you are a traitor and are intent on destroying all that is and was good about this country and will rise up and take it back.

Anyway, we chose a holiday that would allow us time in Havana to experience some of the real Cuban life and history and also time in Varadero where we could relax in what appeared to be a fairly typical Caribbean resort environment.

On Sunday 8th June we boarded our plane for the 8 hour Virgin flight from Gatwick bound for Havana. It was the first time I had travelled quite as far by plane and was looking forward to it. I wasn’t disappointed as the flight was great, plenty of entertainment via our chair-back screen and also time to catch up with reading as well as enjoying the complimentary drink courtesy of Richard Branson as well as the other goodies provided.

The airport in Havana is named after Jose Marti (a leader of the Cuban independence movement and a poet and writer and considered a Cuban national hero) and was smaller than I expected but seemed to be as well equipped as any other that I have flown in to. The heat did strike you as soon as you disembarked and makes hot summers here seem relatively cool. The lack of major delays through customs and passport control or in claiming our luggage and the ease with which we found our travel company rep were all appreciated after the long flight. We knew there was a fair drive to our hotel in Havana and were expecting to board a coach but found a taxi awaiting us. After the driver loaded our luggage and got in and were even more pleased to find the taxi had air conditioning. The 40 minute journey was a strange one, I knew minimal Spanish and the driver minimal English so conversation was pretty much non-existent but it allowed me time to further study my travellers guide to Cuba in a vain attempt to find some Spanish phrases I could throw at the driver, but as it was I spent the time taking in the sites as we travelled. The buildings were largely poor and in need of repair, the people appeared poor and the cars were just as I expected, and could have come straight from a 50’s American movie. However, there were also a fair proportion of 70s/80s Lada's, I was more surprised with the fact there were also a fair few new vehicles from the far east, one of which was our taxi, but even more surprising were the few new Mercedes, some of which also turned out to be taxi’s but it seemed not for the use of the Cubans. So, as suspected, even in a socialist state like Cuba standards vary depending on who you are and the position you have.

As we approached our hotel I felt quite privileged as the building was very grand and imposing and is actually a national monument and THE place to stay when visiting Havana. As we got ready to get out I thanked the taxi driver in Spanish and in English he wished us a very enjoyable holiday, oh well, perhaps the silence was unnecessary after all.

We had arrived and my next blog entry will detail our experiences during our four days at the amazing Hotel Nacional de Cuba.

Cuban Recovery

2008-06-25T19:51:00.003+01:00

Managed to get out of bed on Tuesday at 10am. Never experienced jet-lag before but went to bed at 10.30pm last night and couldn't get to sleep until 2.30am this morning. This wouldn't have been so bad but getting up at 6.00am this morning didn't do much for my ability to function particularly well at my first day back at work especially when faced with 101 things that had accrued during my time off. The morning was certainly a struggle but things improved as the day progressed and hopefully, tonight will see off the worst of it, so tomorrow will see the first instalment of my experiences in Cuba - I'm sure you can't wait!

As a starter it may be of interest that Ken Livingstone stayed in the same hotel in Havana as I did, but I was a paying guest and not there at the invitation of the Mayor of Havana, although there is a connection - ex-Mayor of London and the nephew of the current Mayor of Calne - perhaps it was destiny........

Home From Cuba

2008-06-23T21:37:00.003+01:00

Yes, it's been a while but I have been away for two weeks in Cuba, arriving back home today. Over the next week or so I will update my blog with experiences from Cuba, but for now, having been awake for 29 hours, I think we would all agree it's time for bed!

Needless to say, I am not now wearing a Che Guevara t-shirt.....!!

Politics and Flag-flying in Calne

2008-05-28T23:05:00.004+01:00

We recently had the privilege to yet again be invited to the Calne Town council Mayor-making ceremony. It seems a good indication of how acceptable the party has become in the main stream political arena when such an invitation is received and this for the third year at that.

This year was slightly different, however, as I was seeing Councillor Baggs become Mayor Baggs. Yes, the name may be familiar, as it is my Auntie Mercy who received the mayoral chain and become appointed to this office for the next year. The Town Hall was full with invited guests and local dignitaries and the ceremony was quite formal opening with prayers by the local vicar. The out-going mayor, Roy Golding, an ex-Conservative, now Independent spoke about how his year had gone and incoming mayor, Mercy Baggs, ex-UKIP, now Independent, spoke about her vision for the year to come.

All but 2 Town Council members attended dressed in ceremonial gowns and despite any potential political friction, acted in the way elected officials should, in a dignified and respectful manner. This shouldn’t come as a surprise however as I have been told time and time again that, once elected to the council chamber, party politics are put aside and the interests of the local community come first. However, it was of interest that, despite this being one of the most important council events of the year, two councillors, Councillor John Ireland and Councillor Dave Bland tendered apologies for non-attendance. It may have been a co-incidence that both of these councillors could genuinely not attend but it is certainly no co-incidence that both belong to UKIP and are responsible for local efforts to ensure the Union Flag is flown from the Town Hall continually and causing heated debate amongst the locals as a consequence – my blog of Monday 18th February gave details of how this began.

Nationalists reading this are probably thinking that these are the sort of chaps this country needs as councillors and I would agree that the flying of the Union Flag from all national and local government buildings should not be open to debate but should occur without question. It seems all other countries quite rightly fly their own flags with pride so why not us, there is after all, little that is done any more to engender a sense of national pride in Britain.

However, this flag flying campaign needs to be put into the right context. Firstly, both Councillors Ireland and Bland started the flag campaign in early 2008. It is interesting then that Councillor Ireland became a councillor in 2002 and Councillor Bland in 2004, a good 5 and 3 years earlier respectively! So this wasn’t a case of taking this stand as soon as they became councillors but several years later but coincidently a couple of months before the May local elections. So, it seems that, whilst attempting to appeal to those who have a pride in their race and nation, they are simply using this issue, as a cynical attempt to garner support for their election campaigns. Consequently, other local councillors have seen through their plan and voted against this.

On a similar note, there was a report in the local papers regarding a local lad who whilst driving his car around his home town of Melksham, was routinely stopped by the police for a check. On seeing the lad had a Cross of St George flag laid out over his parcel shelf, as I myself have done, he was told by the police officer to remove it as it was racist and would upset immigrants.

I think it is about time that all British people made a stand by flying the flag as a show of pride and also as an act of defiance against the attempts by this Stalinist regime to ride roughshod over the rights we fought two World Wars to preserve.

Local People Working For Local People

2008-05-28T07:47:00.002+01:00

As a time-served Nationalist it becomes increasingly difficult to accept how far down the road this once great nation of ours has declined and continues to decline and how the majority of the population, even if it recognises this decline, fails to rise from it’s slumber to do anything about it.
Even when there are those who join together to challenge this decline, there seem to be endless wrangles with regards to how the resistance should be organised, resulting in seemingly perpetual splits and disputes. It seems to me that whenever the chance of a breakthrough into the mainstream is imminent, there is an incident which halts this, with the regularity of such an incident being such that one can’t help but feel it is orchestrated in some way, in order to contain any challenge to the mainstream political parties.

On top of this, at national and particularly at local level , where politicians gain any level of authority, the “power” that comes with such a position, more often than not results in politicians with over-inflated ego’s whose main aim changes from their wish to make this land a better place , into one where their own self-importance is the primary consideration.

If this doesn’t cause enough disillusionment then there are those lost chances where political capital could be made but for whatever reason, is not. Take, for example, the recent Crewe and Nantwich parliamentary by-election which was won by the Conservative party with a massive vote swing from the Labour party. This election, coming so soon after abysmal local election results for the Labour party, was seen as a major test of how the electorate would vote for a parliamentary seat and as such, received a massive amount of publicity. This by-election was only ever going to be won by the Conservatives but even assuming the deposit for standing was lost, the resultant publicity for any of the parties standing would be well worth the money and would allow the smaller parties to gauge the strength of support that might be expected. It was particularly pleasing to note that UKIP received just 2.2% of the vote. However they did make the effort and ensured the party name was kept in the public eye.

Similarly it was disappointing that the BNP did not stand in Swindon at the local elections despite standing 3 candidates last year and 1 candidate the year before. This, together with the elections next year would have been the ideal investment in preparation for the Euro-elections later on that year. The party needs to be kept in the public eye or any progress made will come to nothing. Sadly for the BNP, UKIP did stand and may well have taken votes that the BNP had worked for in previous years. As a consequence UKIP did pretty well and as a result has since seen, almost on a daily basis, letters of support being published in the local Swindon Advertiser to the extent that it could be argued the paper is supportive of the party. Despite UKIP being on the verge of collapse, this can only be seen as a very successful move in it’s build-up to its Euro election campaign.

This time should, like no other, provide an ideal opportunity for smaller, radical parties to do well. The leaders of the main parties are a disgrace, Conservative leader David Cameron has no real backbone for tackling the real problems of society and is seen as a Blair-clone, the Lib-Dem leader, has made so little impact on the political scene that I just can’t currently seem to recall his christian name but whose surname is Clegg and then there is the leader of the Labour party Gordon Brown, that excuse for a politician who is currently in charge of this country, but who I wouldn’t leave in charge of my children. Gay Gordon should be tried for treason for the damage he has done to Britain.

The time has never been better for there to be a radical change in this country, so disillusioned are the electorate with what is happening, and if the smaller parties cannot take advantage of this and provide the alternative the public want which ought result in increased numbers making the effort to go to the polling stations, then the whole political system needs turning on it’s head.

Those at the top of political parties are out of touch, they can never understand what is happening at local level nor respond in the way local people need them to do in a timely and effective manner to the issues of the day. Rather than political parties operating in a top-down manner, perhaps they should work in the opposite way with those at local level taking action, making decisions and formulating policy to suit the needs of their local communities first, with the upper echelons of the party being there only to offer support to those doing the work on the ground. In my discussions with local people and politicians it seems there are others who see this as the way forward and with the right support and the right backing I predict that we can turn the general political apathy and mis-management into a better solution to the problems we face.

Local people working for local people.

Update - Proposed Gypsy Site In Calne (Meeting - Friday 16th May)

2008-05-15T17:15:00.006+01:00

Firstly, for those locals who read this, please note that there is a meeting in Calne Town Hall tomorrow night (Friday 16th May) at 6pm at which a working group, as set up by Calne Town Council, will be discussing the proposals. All are welcome to attend.

Having spoken and written to local councillors and also local MPs, James Gray and Michael Ancram, it is apparent that the only ones who are in favour of siting gypsies / travellers here are our wonderful Labour government led by that splendid, gentleman (?) Gordon Brown, otherwise known as "The Spot". The information I have is that whichever site is chosen it will consist of 24 pitches catering for around 140 gypsies.

The local people certainly do not want a site in Calne, The Town Council do not want a site in Calne, The North Wilts District Council do not want a site in Calne and even the gypsies do not want to come to Calne. The responses I have received from he councillors who bothered to reply to my email were all supportive of moves to prevent this. The letter I received from James Gray was also very supportive and although stressing that he had some sympathy for North Wilts District Council with regard to the pressure being placed upon them by this government to identify sites he was certainly on the side of the local people.

No, it's just the government who have decided, in their wisdom, that as the gypsies / travellers are a disadvantaged group, each county must look at potential sites on which these people can stay and therefore have the benefit of all of the amenities non-gypsies and travellers have. I think the government are missing the point that these people choose this way of life so as not to join in with conventional society.

The situation is that the matter is now out for a six week consultation period which ends on Friday 20th June. Full consultation documents can be accessed by visiting the District Council web-site:

www.northwilts.gov.uk/gypsyconsultation

Additionally local people may want to visit:

http://calnetalk.myfreeforum.org/index.php

where you will find discussion and updates on what is happening. A co-ordinated approach to oppose this is being organised by those running the site.

If you are local please support this campaign. If after the period of public consultation there is no site that is felt suitable I am sure that one will still have to be chosen and with Calne's history I think that the site that is currently favourite will be the one chosen, so very strong action is necessary now and also later to fight this.

On a final note for now, if anyone has any doubts about the potential impact of this then the recent falling through of my neighbour Tracey's house sale has been specifically attributed to this, as her buyer's did not want to live in an area close to a proposed gypsy site, despite the decision not even having been made. Apparently the estate agent has said that house prices will suffer and houses will be difficult to sell, as if things weren't bad enough already!

Here We Go Again Then!

2008-05-14T19:16:00.012+01:00

Regular readers of my blog have asked me why I have been so quiet of late and there are several reasons why. However, those of you that know me, will know that I cannot stay quiet for long particularly when I care so passionately about this once great nation of ours and our people.

Well, I am back and my return is, in part, due to the anger I feel towards those people who believe they have the right to question the behaviour of those in the BNP and somehow that they will be as bigoted as they themselves must be in dealing with other people. Very few people have ever seen my anger but those that do do not forget it, so Mr Anonymous, congratulations to you for achieving what very few others do, but regular readers will notice a subtle change to my blog as a result.

What makes me angry is when attempts are made, usually by anonymous people who talk about equality and suchlike, to try and deprive others of their livelihood just because they do not agree with their politics. Simon Smith, a friend of mine and a teacher, as was Mark Walker and Tina Wingfield, a health service employee all suffered at the hands of those who thought they were incapable of carrying out their duties as a result of their political beliefs.

More recently we have Barry Towers who has also been dismissed as a result of his standing as a candidate for the BNP in the recent elections. More details of the injustices that BNP members have to suffer can be found on the Civil Liberty website and also on the independent trade union site Solidarity.

If only the people who attempt to destroy the lives of the good people in the BNP, realised that by doing such things only serves to strengthen our resolve to carry on with the fight against those who seem determined to destroy the British people and our traditional way of life.

Additionally, they need to realise that as well as our policies on race and immigration the BNP does actually have a whole raft of policies, in the same way that all other legally registered political parties have, just take a look at the "About Us" section of http://www.bnp.org.uk/ to see.

Finally I would just like to add that whilst we still have some element of the freedom of speech this country is supposed to be famous for, although if you speak to Nick Griffin or Mark Collett about this I am sure they may disagree as a result of the trial they underwent for speaking their minds in private meetings, I will continue to use this blog as a way to highlight and give my opinions on the wrongs and injustices that occur in our society.

Gypsy Site In Calne

2008-04-23T19:01:00.006+01:00

I wasn't intending re-starting my blog until after the May elections but an issue has arisen that must be aired.

I arrived at work early this morning to be by one of my staff asking if I knew anything about the news heard last night on the BBC regarding the consideration of two locations in Calne for use as a gypsy site. She thought someone was playing a joke on her but after a few phone calls during my dinner-hour from me and to me from concerned residents and businesses all became clear.

First stop was the BBC News web-site and this confirmed that permanent sites are to be set up in North Wiltshire, two possible locations for which are in my home town of Calne.

As the news item referred to North Wiltshire Council (sic) I looked next at the North Wilts District Council web-site. This provided a few more details, particularly the locations, both of which have angered me as they are both a stones throw from my own house in Oxford Road. The first is in Oxford Road on the way out of Calne towards Lyneham and is believed to be in a field opposite the local pub, the Bug and Spider, just off of the mini-roundabout. This site was earmarked several years ago for an out of town supermarket but this proposal didn't get anywhere. The other option is in Abberd Lane which is accessible from Oxford Road or the Abberd estate, which is in the Abberd ward for which I stood for local council elections when active for the BNP. From this report it became known the report was to be discussed at the next meeting of the Executive of the North Wilts District Council tomorrow!

Apparently "The possible sites that have been suggested have all had to be assessed against strict criteria which includes; respect for the existing environment, environmental impact, possible flood risk, good vehicular access, on-site parking and the use of brownfield sites or land that is currently untidy or derelict".

Further information can be seen on the Wiltshire Gazette web-site and the first comment from "hausfrau" makes me even more concerned as it implies that a decision has already been made and the site will appear in Oxford Road. Deep joy - new neighbours!! According to the web-site a full report will appear in tomorrow's edition of the paper and it looks like I will have to buy a copy this week.

My next stop was to send an email to all of the Calne Town councillors, for whom email addresses appear on the Calne Town Council website, to ask for their views and also what they intended to do to object and hopefully prevent this moving forward. At the time of writing this I have had replies from Councillors Marshall, Ramsey, Ireland and Viner who were also concerned about this situation but who apparently had no prior knowledge of this until it hit the BBC news. Hopefully I will update as soon as there is feedback from the meeting.

When I have campaigned in Calne in the past I have made reference to Calne being the poor relation in North Wiltshire and with the police station being closed, the Post Office being closed and relocated to one end of a local newsagent, together with the closure of public toilet facilities and our sports centre, it seems this stance has been justified. Apparently Calne has been referred to as "just a large council estate" by one of those who should know better. Perhaps times are a-changin' as they now wish to give something to Calne - bloody gypsies!

Not content with the problems that Calne-folk are suffering as a result of the incompetent Labour government under Mr Bliar and now seemingly worsening under "the dot", Gay Gordon, where house prices are dropping and the country is in a right mess, we in Calne are looking at a potential drop in house values again as a result of gypsies living around the corner, together with extra expense in having to enhance our security.

This not a party political fight, but a fight for the town of Calne and it's residents, to ensure that Calne does not again suffer at the hands of those who care not a jot about us.

We do not want gypsies in Calne!

Vote Wisely!

2008-04-14T20:20:00.003+01:00

I know it's been a while since my last post and for those of you that look here regularly (I monitor visits), I can only apologise for the lack of posting of late.

A lot of things have been happening and I plan to write about these in the very near future so please be patient and all will soon be revealed.

Meanwhile, there are elections in most parts of the country (but unfortunately and most disappointingly not in Swindon, leaving the way open for that UKIP shower, who are standing, to capitalise on the BNP absence) and many will get the opportunity to show their displeasure at the way this country is going down the pan. Vote wisely but DO vote!

Smell the Coffee Darling and Make it Fairtrade...

2008-03-12T21:04:00.006Z

I arrived home for lunch in windy Calne today and switched on the television to see the news, unfortunately however the channel was showing live coverage of the chancellors budget statement. Within seconds I decided, as if I didn't know already that we are governed by a bunch of fools. It never fails to astound me how these people ever get elected to serve this country as they are the most dislikeable group of people you could ever encounter. You just have to look at them and listen to them "hear-hearing" to see what I mean.

What is it that changes normal people into arrogant, conceited and condescending human beings once they become representatives of the people? It not only affects those elected as MPs but also those elected as councillors and affects all political parties including unfortunately, my own although not to the same degree. A little bit of fame and the ego starts to develop, perhaps the government should spend more NHS money trying to develop a cure or perhaps holding "workshops" (great word that.... if ever I attend a workshop I make sure I wear my overalls and take my bag of spanners!) with a title of "No, Actually You Are Not God".

Anyway, back to the budget which is being called the "Green Budget" as it has increased taxes to help compensate for the damage caused by this phenomenon known as the greenhouse effect. What a load of cobblers! How on earth does Alistair Darling,and that bunch of highwaymen he works with in the Labour Party, think that by taxing the British public it will make any difference to global warming, if it is actually happening? I think it will actually result in more money going into the government coffers so these MPs can abuse it by claiming the obscene allowances that they have tried to keep quiet.

Does he think that if we British recycle everything and don't pollute, the real criminals responsible for the destruction of this planet, the USA, China and India, will sit up and take note and follow our example? I don't think so, wake up and smell the coffee Darling and make sure it's Fairtrade!

I mentioned in a recent blog that those at the top need removing and if there isn't a major move away from the established main three political parties at the next general election then I fear all may be lost as it will appear that the majority of the British public have given up the fight. However, I believe that the longer we suffer from this corrupt establishment the worse the underlying anger of the British people will become and there are those who, if change isn't effected democratically, will take matters into their own hands and God knows what will happen then.

One thing I am sure of though is that Enoch will be looking down on us and saying "I told you so".

Wiltshire's First BNP Prospective Parliamentary Candidate

2008-03-10T19:47:00.007Z

The recent announcement of the BNP's first prospective parliamentary candidate in Wiltshire has made the national papers. Mick Simpkins, the first councillor in Wiltshire will be fighting for the Chippenham constituency seat and it hasn't hit the papers for that reason but because one of his opponents will be Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones, better known as The Black Farmer.

The Independent newspaper implies that the BNP are fighting the seat because Wilfred is black, however Mick Simpkins points out that it just so happens he lives in Corsham and therefore within the area covered by the seat. This highlights the BNP's community politics stance which is unique, all other parties seem to parachute strangers into the area and Wilfred is one of these, being one of Dippy Dave Cameron's A-listers, picked because he is black and not as a result of the people of Chippenham selecting him as Wilfred suggests.

This decision has not been lost on the electorate in the area, many of my Conservative friends have told me they and their colleagues are extremely unhappy with the decision. To rub salt into the wounds, Wilfred has already stated that he believes the countryside is too white - well some of us think that the inner cities are too black! Too try to redress this situation for a television programme, Wilfred took young people from deprived inner city areas to learn about the countryside. Funnily enough, none of the youngsters included were white. I am looking forward to the follow-up series where a white business man takes a group of white youngsters into a black-dominated area to learn how to run a kebab-house.

Wilfred, according to the Independent, is no stranger to struggle as he battled his way out of inner-city Birmingham to end up as a successful business man, famous for being Britain's only black farmer. The paper paints rather a glossy picture of his life, as, for being a farmer, I think the phrase gentleman farmer would be more appropriate, this being slightly different to someone who is up at dawn to milk the cows! Additionally, his Wikipaedia entry, for what it's worth suggests that the year Wilfred spent in the army was cut short as he was kicked out for lack of discipline, not a good start for a Conservative.

The paper says that Wilfred now faces the fight of his life against the British National Party, in the election. I am not sure I would have put it quite like that but I do know that from the feedback the BNP is getting from the public, he will certainly have a struggle, almost certainly not winning the once "safe" Tory seat. I like, Mick Simpkins, have also met Wilfred and he certainly is a very pleasant chap but I am afraid his foray into West Country politics is going to end in tears as the BNP take a sizeable chunk of the Conservative vote.

This space is certainly one to keep watching!

On a final note, the Independent asked Gerry Gable, the communist responsible for the anti-fascist magazine Searchlight, for his view, presumably because of his similar lack of associations with the West Country. Less than able Gable said "We're concerned wherever the BNP field candidates. They are a cancer within British society but ... [Mr Emmanuel-Jones] will give them a bloody good run for their money."

As said, let's watch this space shall we?

UKIP Standards (or lack of)

2008-03-07T14:00:00.006Z

Apparently the great and good amongst UKIP will be converging in Exeter tomorrow for a party rally. It still confuses me as to the level of press coverage this lot get considering they actually do nothing about anything despite having elected MEPS who could make a difference if they tried. Anyway, expect a big turnout of their top brass as there are apparently problems with the leadership in the south-west region, the region that I thought was their strongest.

Not only have they problems with the leadership but it seems that on a local level the party have problems too.

Local readers may recall the news in 2006 when a Swindon Conservative councillor, Dr Owen Lister, a former GP, suggested "It would be preferable to guillotine looked-after children with severe emotional and behavioural difficulties than to provide expensive out-of-borough placements for them". He also suggested it was a waste of money to provide school places to educate disabled children. For this he was given just a one-month suspension from the council for bringing them into disrepute.

Now I have been a member of and worked within the BNP on and off for around ten years and I do not recall hearing anyone speak in such a disgraceful manner despite what the media might suggest.

What is particularly interesting about this gentleman is that he is no longer a Conservative councillor, not because of what he said, but it has recently been revealed that he is a member of UKIP! Apparently membership of the Conservative Party and of UKIP is not compatible.

UKIP, however seem quite happy to take him on board. This shouldn't be a great surprise as in the North Wiltshire area we are also blessed with another ex-Conservative councillor (in Calne actually) who became a UKIP candidate after the Conservatives sacked her for sending a racist email and also I am given to understand yet another UKIP member who has been reported to the authorities for using racist language.

In a previous blog I have mentioned that I have heard more racist language from local politicians than I ever have from BNP members!

What is also interesting, particularly in the aftermath of the disgraceful vote in the Houses of Parliament this week not to allow a referendum to be held on the European Union's Lisbon Treaty, is the amount of squabbling and in-fighting amongst those who are supposedly there to set an example and rule us. However, this isn't restricted to national government, but also to local government as well.

What makes it such a disgrace is that these people are elected by a minority turn-out of those who are concerned enough to make the effort, in the hope these national and local politicians actually care about the people and will act in their best interests.

It is quite apparent to me and also evidenced by all of the recent financial irregularities we have heard about in the news, that almost all of them do not care about the people and are only in the politics game for themselves and what they can get out of it.

When will Britain wake up and realise that enough is enough and it is time for change at the top.

Whatever Happened To The British?

2008-03-05T19:08:00.003Z

I ended my last blog entry by posing the question as to whatever happened to the English. I'm still wondering. Perhaps a more appropriate question would have been whatever happened to the British?

There was a time when the British were the envy of the world. We had an Empire and were responsible for a civilisation that has yet to be surpassed. We were responsible for giving the world much of what is now taken for granted in the fields of communications, transportation, health care and so on, yet most countries now look upon us as a joke.
So what has happened to us and why have we let it?

There was a time not so long ago when we felt safe in our own homes and also whilst out in our local communities. We knew that we had quick and easy access to the police and would see the local bobby out and about on his beat. Crime was something that affected few, now it seems to affect almost everyone.

There have been changes in education as well. When I left school I can't recall there was anyone who was illiterate or "dyslexic", yet now we often hear about people leaving school and being unable to read and write. Standards are dropping all of the time, I was watching the BBC news the other night and not for the first time I noticed a spelling mistake in one of the captions, this time there was a reference to the "Falkands", you know, those islands down in the south Atlantic. This was on the BBC, our national television channel, on our national news programme. The BBC, once the envy of the world!

Health care has changed from a system where the patient knew he came first, to a target based system that puts targets and funding before the needs of patients. We see obesity and drug and alcohol abuse at all time high levels yet the opportunities to keep fit and to do whatever we want in life are greater now than ever.

The countryside, in which we produced everything we needed to feed our nation is dying as more of it disappears under concrete and our farming communities face extinction as the government and the superstores work together to squeeze what they can for the minimum return.

Our town centres are dying. Where we were able to once purchase everything a family could want we now find empty and decaying shops, charity shops and takeaways. Families travel out of town to the local superstore.

Industry has all but died. Where we once produced everything this country needed and exported so much to the rest of the world, we now produce hardly anything and import from China and India where goods can be made cheaply and yet we still support these countries with aid.

So what went wrong? Have the British finally ceased being the proud and strong race it once was?

I wish I had the answer. What I do know, is that if things continue as they are we don't have much time to put things right. So what will it take to wake the British from this slumber?

Did The Earth Move For You? - A Visit To London

2008-02-28T19:54:00.006Z

Did the earth move for you? I went to bed on Tuesday night setting the alarm to wake us at 5am on Wednesday morning as we were on an early train to London. What I was hoping would be a good night sleep was disturbed at approximately 1am Wednesday morning by the bed vibrating and the handles on the bedroom furniture rattling loudly. I calmly decided it was an earthquake and settled back to sleep. I was in Swindon that night and apparently nothing was heard 20 miles down the road in my home town of Calne. What a weird experience!

Anyway, we woke up at 5am as planned and headed for Swindon's railway station. Back in early January my girlfriend asked me if I wanted to go with her to London as she had an NHS course to attend. I decided that I could entertain myself during the day by visiting a museum or two. I bought my train tickets straight away on-line at a total cost of around £25, my girlfriend's tickets were pre-booked by her employer and to be picked up at the station. After she bought them we compared tickets and I was absolutely astounded to discover that hers had cost £104! Now if her tickets had been bought at the same time as mine then the NHS could have saved itself around £80 or around 75%. If this is standard procedure in the NHS (and presumably all Government departments) then the excess costs of travel incurred through bad planning and organisation must be costing this country millions of pounds. I feel a Freedom of Information Act request coming on and I'll report back on the outcome on this blog.

We got to London and I made my way to the British Museum, on the way I passed the Trades Union Congress building and crossed the road to look at the display in their window. It was advertising the LGBT history month. Now for those who don't know what LGBT is then I am sure they will be only too pleased to find out that the union dues they pay and which presumably help fund the TUC is being used for the TUC to campaign for Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender people at work! No wonder the morale in, certainly the public sector, is bad when it is apparent that the TUC is obviously not fighting for the improvement of conditions for the "ordinary" workers.

I thought I had better head for the British Museum very quickly! For those who haven't been, please note that entry is free. For more information about the place, click on British Museum. Whilst there I made a point of visiting The First Emperor exhibition which included exhibits from China's terracotta army. A fabulous experience and well worth a visit.

Although whilst visiting most of my attention was given to looking at the museum exhibits I did spend a lot of time avoiding the groups of school-children who were also visiting the museum. What did strike me about the dozen or so groups I saw was the fact that probably less than 10% of the children were white. I left the museum wondering whatever happened to the English.

Who Are The Racists?

2008-02-24T22:03:00.004Z

I often try to work out what the word “racism” actually means. I really have no answer but being involved with the British National Party it is a question that often arises. Ski Sunday has just finished on the television and it was followed by an advertisement for the BBC’s Asian Network. I must presume this to be some exclusive Asian radio station that it would not be right for me to listen to even if I wanted to. It certainly does nothing to foster good community relations, unless of course you are from the Asian community. So it would make sense then for the BBC to introduce an English Network or a British Network aimed at the indigenous population of these lands, but it wouldn’t do that as it would have to acknowledge the cancer of political correctness and include all “British” people, those people who are British by virtue of the fact they live in Britain. (If I went to live in Pakistan could I call myself “Asian”? I don’t think so!)

The BBC also is responsible for the divisive Music Of Black Origin awards. Again, I see no reciprocal arrangement for white people, no, there are no Music Of White Origin awards we can look forward to. Why is this?

Closer to home we have recently been reading the news of the trial of those Asians responsible for the horrific hammer attack on white 15-year-old schoolboy Henry Webster at the Ridgeway School in Wroughton. But this has not been reported in the national papers nor on the national television news, the only coverage has been in North Wiltshire newspaper the Swindon Advertiser. In fact, the first of two trials, two because of the number of Asians involved, has reached it’s conclusion but the verdict has not been made public. Why so much secrecy? As I have said in a previous blog, if this was a trial of white men, as a result of such an attack on an Asian schoolboy, there would have been wall-to-wall media coverage and the name of the victim would have been as well known as that of Stephen Lawrence.

A further local example of how there are double standards with the “racism” question, is that of Wilfred Emmanuel –Jones, the black A-list prospective parliamentary candidate for the Conservative party for the Chippenham constituency. Wilfred is, or was, being followed by a Channel 4 documentary team and on two occasions I have been interviewed by them and asked the same question which I will mention in a moment. Wilfred is also known as the Black Farmer as this is the name of his meat products business. Would it be possible for me to start up a similar business and call myself The White Farmer? I am sure I would be deemed racist even for suggesting it so why is it ok for Wilfred? Incidentally, Wilfred also has another site relating to his political activity and this can be found here. Some readers may remember that Wilfred once claimed the countryside was “far too white!” With all of the recent concerns regarding propriety in politics the question has to be asked as to whether the Black Farmer site is there to further Wilfred’s ambitions as a politician or is it the other way around?

Further examples of organisations created solely to benefit ethnic communities can be found below (thanks to the BNP web-site for these). In looking at this list the question has to be asked whether or not it would be deemed racist if the words “White” or “English” were substituted in some of the names of the organisations below, I’m sure it would.

1. Watford Asian Community care

2. Watford African Caribbean Association

3. National Black Police Association

4. Metropolitan Black Police Association

5. Black Londoners Forum

6. Black Information Link (BLINK)

7. Operation Black Vote

8. Federation of Black Housing Organisations (FBHO)

9. Black Training Enterprise Group

10. Southwark Black Heritage Organisation

11. Asians In Media (AIM)

12. Barfi Culture (Asians)

13. Black Britain

14. Black Enterprise

15. Black net Community

16. The Black Presence In Britain

17. Black Search

18. Black UK Online

19. Chinatown Online

20. Clickwalla (Asian)

21. Dimsum (Chinese)

22. CEMVO

23. Every Generation (Black)

24. MMLondon (Asian)

25. Red Hot Curry (Asian)

So, the fact that the British National Party exists for the indigenous population of our country surely cannot be deemed racist. Apparently it can, the double standards apply here apparently. Whilst it is apparently perfectly acceptable to belong to one of the above organisations the British National Party is deemed a “racist” organisation for wanting to protect the interests of its own. In fact it is interesting to note that I have attended meetings at the highest level within the BNP and also know the party leadership well but I have never experienced what the media might call “racism”. In fact, I have heard worse from Calne town councillors!

Now, back to the question asked by the film crew, it was simply something on the lines of why the BNP do not accept black people into the BNP. Perhaps questions should be asked of all of the other groups above as to why they cater solely for non-white people, then perhaps they might like to let us “racists” in the BNP know what answers they receive!

Fly The Flag / Hunting / Achmed The Dead Terrorist

2008-02-18T19:53:00.011Z

It seems the issue of whether or not the town council should fly the Union Flag from the Town Hall rumbles on. The matter first arose around the time that local councillors became aware that a by-election in Calne's Lickhill ward was possibly going to be held and was raised by UKIP councillors at a full town council meeting. The majority of the town's councillors voted against the motion tabled by a UKIP councillor and it later transpired it was on the grounds the costs in doing so were prohibitive.

It's interesting to view the Minutes from the November council meeting when this matter was discussed to see that whilst in section 68.3 under the title of Christmas Opening Times 2007/2008 - it was proposed by the Town Mayor, Councillor R Golding and seconded by Councillor C M Boase and UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED to give Town Council staff an extra day holiday on Thursday 27 December 2007 in recognition of all their hard work.... under section 70.2 where it was proposed by Councillor J R Ireland and seconded by Councillor D A Bland that "now the rules relating to the flying of the Union flag have been relaxed and that the flying of the same is being encouraged by the Prime Minister on all Government buildings and Town Halls in the United Kingdom, that this Council flies the Union Flag from the Town Hall on a daily basis", a vote was taken and the proposal fell due to lack of support. I wonder what the voters would think if they knew that the council staff, who I am sure do work very hard, were given an extra day off, paid for by council tax payers, yet the councillors refused to fund the flying of the Union flag?

I think there is no argument here and the town should fly the flag, as should all towns. I wouldn't be a card-carrying Nationalist if I thought otherwise. When all other countries in the world seem to have no qualms in flying their own flags and proudly proclaiming they are of whatever nationality they happen to be, it somewhat rankles that local British councillors can make the decision whether or not their national flag should be flown, particularly when I believe the local townsfolk would overwhelmingly support this.

Call me cynical if you like but I find it a little strange that the issue had not been raised before, particularly when the councillors had been in post since, at least, May 2007! Perhaps those in the Town Council are awaiting instructions to fly that appalling rag that the European Union has adopted.

Readers of this blog will know of my support for fox-hunting, so I felt it only proper to report on the following which most people will not hear about. Hunting groups have been targeted by anti-blood sport activists with a string of attacks in which three venues in Gloucestershire were vandalised in the early hours of Sunday as part of a protest on the eve of the third anniversary of the Hunting Act. Protesters daubed graffiti across the outbuildings of Beaufort Kennels, Badminton House and also vandalised premises belonging to the Vale of the White Horse Hunt and the Cotswold Hunt groups, both in Cirencester.

A police spokesman said: "Anti-hunt slogans were painted and a number of vehicles were damaged." The Animal Liberation Front has claimed responsibility for the attacks with their spokesman Robin Webb, saying "I am confident it would be the work of ALF activists because so many hunts have ignored the intent of the hunting ban." What a splendid organisation, hiding their faces and carrying out cowardly attacks as they do, perhaps these people should get a life or at least get a job!

And finally, on a lighter note meet Achmed the Dead Terrorist

Dr Rowan Williams - RESIGN!

2008-02-08T19:14:00.001Z

Call me old-fashioned if you will, but I have always believed that “Leaders” are just that, they actually “lead” their political parties, groups, teams or religious movements. They set an example to their “followers” and do their utmost to protect the interests of those in their organisation and the principles for which they stand. They do not seek to destroy those organisations they represent and if they do not seem to be acting in the best interests of them then their leadership needs to be questioned and challenged. They should be removed if they are seen to be acting in a way that does not appear to be in the interests of their movements.

One perfect example, of which I am sure you are all now aware, of a leader acting contrarily to what is required by his role, is the incident involving Dr Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Head of the Church if England, no less, who has backed the adoption of some aspects of Sharia Law in the UK.

I’ll say it straight up – Dr Williams should resign – he is not fit to lead the Church of England!

I am sure that many people now know more about Sharia Law than they did yesterday, if not then please note that it is derived from both the Koran and the example of the life of the prophet Mohammed. However, it differs from how those of us who cherish our traditions in the Western world operate our legal systems and that is because it governs every aspect of Muslim life.

In a number of countries Sharia law is associated with draconian punishments for crimes including theft, adultery or blasphemy, by the amputation of limbs, death by stoning or lashes. In my blog of Monday 19th November 2007 I reported on a Saudi woman who was raped but then found guilty of being in the company of strangers in private and sentenced to be lashed. If this is the sort of thing that Dr Rowan Williams envisages for this country then he has without a doubt alienated the majority of the female population of this country, and also the men I'm sure, and could have potentially set back women’s equality by several hundred years!

Perhaps he should have had a look at the link below prior to opening his sexist mouth. Please don't view if you are squeamish and certainly not in the prescence of minors.

HERE

Additionally the Koran says that women should dress modestly, why? Surely a woman should dress as she pleases and men should be self-disciplined enough for this to have no effect. Normal people seem to have managed, so why not Muslims? We are increasingly witnessing the rigid interpretation of this through the increase in sightings of burkha-clad women.

I repeat again – Dr Rowan Williams – RESIGN! You have betrayed the Christian majority, in this country. They expected leadership not subservience. I hope the people of Calne remember this when they next have the opportunity to vote for a party who are prepared to stand up to this betrayal.

To end on a lighter note today, you may recall that I recently went on a skiing trip. I did fly the flag whilst away as can be seen from the pictures below. I made sure I obtained my Euro’s from a sympathetic bank!

Is Your Hand On Your Mouse?

2008-02-03T15:54:00.001Z

My thanks to all those who have sent me emails recently. I should like to send particular thanks to whoever it was who sent me the one about rat manure in the glue on envelopes. Thanks to you I know I am safe every time I use a wet towel with every envelope that needs sealing. I now scrub the top of every can I open for the same reason.

Sadly though I no longer have any savings because I gave them all to a sick girl you told me about who is terminally ill and about to die in the hospital for the 1,387,258th time. Still I'm not downhearted that all my money is gone because I know everything is about to change once I receive the £15,000 that Bill Gates / Microsoft and AOL are sending me for participating in their special e-mail programme. On top of that I'm still waiting to receive my split of £7 million from a very nice, senior bank clerk in Nigeria just for pretending to be a long lost relative of a customer who died intestate.

Because of your concern and your emails I feel better because I no longer use cancer-causing deodorants even though I smell like a dead rat on a hot day. I no longer drink Coca-Cola because you told me it can remove toilet stains and I dont go shopping anymore because someone is sure to have contaminated something I want to buy. I no longer answer the phone because someone will ask me to dial a number and I will end up getting a phone bill with premium rate calls to Jamaica, Uganda, Singapore and Uzbekistan. Thanks to you, I can't use anyone's toilet but mine because the odds are a big brown African spider is lurking under the seat to cause me instant death when it bites my bum. And thanks to your great advice, I can't even pick up the £5.00 I found dropped next to my car in the car park because it probably was placed there by muggers waiting underneath my car to grab my leg and rob me after they've beaten me senseless.

Still, spiritually I no longer worry about my soul because I know I have 363,214 angels looking out for me and St. Theresa's novena has granted my every wish. Thanks to one of you, I have learned that my prayers only get answered if I forward an email to seven of my friends and make a wish within five minutes. So, if you don't send this e-mail to at least 144,000 people in the next 70 minutes, a large magpie with diarrhoea will land on your head three hours after reading this email. I know this will occur because it actually happened to a friend of my next door neighbour's ex-mother-in-law's second husband's cousin's beautician.

By the way....a South American scientist after a lengthy study has discovered that people with low IQ who have infrequent sexual activity always read their e-mails with their hand on the mouse.

Don't bother taking it off now, it's too late.

Calne Lickhill Ward By-election Analysis

2008-02-01T16:12:00.002Z

In the cold light of day I can now analyse last night’s result in Calne’s Lickhill Ward and after my initial disappointment things aren’t quite so bad. If all of the support we had received across the ward whilst campaigning had been converted into votes we would have done so much better – where were you all? I am not sure if my disappointment was at the BNP result or with the general lack of interest. I know it was raining hard for much of the day and also very cold but when less than 800 people of nearly 3,200 vote you have to ask whether these people are worth fighting for. It is also sad that of the 400 postal votes issued only 215 were returned so even when spoon-fed the electorate can’t be bothered. It seems that 2,400 people in Lickhill Ward have no interest in how their town is managed. I just hope that when I next hear someone whinging they voted because if they didn’t they will get short shrift from me that’s for sure. I just wish they had seen the lady from North Cote, (who had told me incidentally, whilst I was out canvassing that she was a socialist), struggle from her invalid car to painfully walk, using crutches, across a badly pot-holed access road and car park, battling against the wind and rain, into the polling station to cast her vote. It would put them to shame. Even though she probably didn’t vote for me I certainly salute her courage. God bless you, madam!

Anyway, the analysis:-

May 2007

Average votes for each party were:-

BNP = 91 (8%)
Conservatives = 427 (37%)
Lib Dems = 271 (24%)
UKIP = 348 (31%)

Jan 2008

Average votes for each party were:-

BNP = 84 (11%)
Conservatives = 256 (32%)
Greens = 23 (3%)
Lib Dems = 278 (35%)
UKIP = 150 (19%)

The percentage vote for the Conservatives and UKIP dropped whilst those for the Lib Dems and the BNP increased.

In the case of UKIP there vote all but crumbled, Ellie Bland achieved 356 votes in May but only 150 last night so where everyone kept reminding me that UKIP are falling apart, they were quite right and the evidence is there for all to see. Not forgetting, of course, that the seat became vacant as a result of a UKIP councillors resignation.

The turnout dropped from 35% to 25%, so even accounting for that it seems it was a very bad day indeed for UKIP and if I initially felt disappointed then they must be absolutely gutted. Having said that I wonder where the UKIP vote would have gone if they had not stood – the BNP perhaps! Wishful thinking perhaps, but I think UKIP has had it’s day and should they eventually see the light and join us then who knows where we will go. Bring on the general election!!

Calne Lickhill By-election Results

2008-01-31T23:32:00.001Z

Results for today's Calne Lickhill Ward by-election are:-

Glenis Ansell - Lib Dems = 278 (35.3%)

Robert Baggs - BNP = 84 (10.7%)

Ellie Bland - UKIP = 150 (19.0%)

Geoff Brown - Greens = 23 (2.9%)

Greg Widger - Conservative = 256 (32.5%)

Turnout was 25%.

The weather was very bad and over 2000 of the 3161 eligible to vote couldn't be bothered.

Disappointing result. Sorry team.

Robert Baggs signing out.

Vote Robert Baggs, BNP - You Know It Makes Sense

2008-01-30T20:41:00.001Z

It seems as if certain folk in the Lickhill Ward of Calne have been upset by the "Vote BNP" signs we put up around the ward. It just further emphasises why my main concern is with law and order and adequate policing in the town as most of the signs have now been stolen. However, as the signs have been up at least 36 hours, having been put up between 7.30 and 8.30 on Monday evening, everyone who has travelled in and out of the ward will have had the chance to see them and they have served their purpose. It'll certainly save us the job of taking them down. I am not sure if those responsible for taking them down are aware, but they have committed a criminal offence in doing so, theft I think you call it! But, as said, job done.

I have been busy tonight taking calls and answering emails from well-wishers so am glad that the final leafleting session took place earlier this evening, as I would have been pushed for time otherwise. It was encouraging that whilst out, the few people we saw confirmed they were going to vote for us.

Additionally, whilst not managing to speak to everyone in the ward, there were a lot of positive words of encouragement from those we did and I look forward to seeing everyone again either at the Army Cadet hut in Bryans Close Road or the North Star Club in Bremhill View over the course of the day. The weather forecast is for heavy rain but I hope that won't stop anyone from coming out to vote, as I would like to think we Brits are of sterner stuff than to let a drop of rain prevent us doing what many people in the world do not have the chance to do and that is exercising their democratic right to vote.

In just over 24 hours the counting will begin and I would imagine that a result will be available before midnight and I will post it on my blog as soon as I get back.

Finally for today, I would just like to thank all of those who have helped in my campaign, all of those, locally and nationally, who have offered kind words of support and particularly friends and family, who, whilst not all sharing my political beliefs support my right to do so and last but not least those who will be voting for me tomorrow, knowing that they are doing the right thing for the Lickhill Ward, for Calne and for their country.

Vote Robert Baggs, BNP - you know it makes sense!

Campaigning In Calne

2008-01-29T22:15:00.001Z

Thanks again to my election team consisting of BNP Regional Organiser Mike, Chris, Mark, Michael, Paul, Richard and Tris with particular thanks to Councillor Mick Simpkins who took time out from his busy schedule to come across from Corsham to support the campaign. A lot of work was done today distributing my election address and it was good to meet so many supporters as we swept across Calne's Lickhill ward in the last but one day before polling day.

One of my concerns in Calne and why I am pushing for an increased police presence is because of the anti-social behaviour that occurs across the town. Whilst campaigning today a young "lady" came out of her house to remonstrate with members of our team. This wasn't to debate our policies but to spout foul-mouthed abuse at them. Now I can understand if she doesn't agree with our policies but then she has a choice other than to resort to such behaviour and that would be to put our leaflet in the bin or to go out and vote against us on Thursday. I would be interested to know if this young "lady" is on the electoral roll and also whether she bothers to vote on Thursday, but I doubt we'll see her. Our team ignored her and walked away as there is no point in even attempting to debate with such people. It was interesting to note that within minutes of closing her door a red "J" registered car arrived with 4 black gentlemen inside who had obviously arrived to intimidate and harass our team who, to avoid any confrontation, consequently walked away to work in another area. I wonder if the other parties encountered this sort of harassment. Although unsettling, this negative experience was soon countered by several positive thumbs up and toots from passing motorists.

Once we had decided that we had done enough work the rain started so it was back to my place for a very welcome cup of tea from the ladies in our team and a sit down with feet up for a few minutes!

The rest of the evening was spent catching up on the days news and weather and I was disappointed to see that the forecast for polling day on Thursday is not good with the possibility of snow. Not a good sign as this affects voter turnout, although I would encourage everyone who can to come out and use your vote as it takes but minutes to do so.

Next it's bed time and if I don't sleep like a log tonight I would be very surprised!

Two Days To Go - Looking Good!

2008-01-28T22:11:00.001Z

More work tonight with extra leaflets arriving, planning work for the next couple of days plus a bit of work to make it interesting for supporters and opponents alike. I am sure that all will come clear when the residents of Calne's Lickhill ward travel to work or town tomorrow. Thanks to the team from yesterday plus particular thanks to Colin and Sam.

I experienced yet another example today of how serious the illegal immigration problem is in this country. On the radio station Planet Rock there was an advertisement from a government department advising employers not to use illegal immigrants in their workforce. I thought the department would be the Department of Work and Pensions but there is no immediate evidence of this on their web-site, so next time I hear it I will confirm. Isn't it strange that the government applaud the contribution made to our economy by foreign workers yet have to advertise to warn employers to ensure their workers are here legitimately. I think it is another case of a confused and ignorant government having no idea what is actually happening in the country. If they paid more attention to the real problems in this country than they do to providing work for our over-stretched police force, in investigating their finances, then the situation might be better!

So the end of another day with just two full days until election day and things are definitely looking very good.

On the Streets of Calne's Lickhill Ward

2008-01-27T16:12:00.002Z

I am back now from a long day out and about on the streets in the Lickhill Ward of Calne, working for the election that is due to take place this Thursday.

Many thanks go to Chris, Mark, Michael, Mike, Paul and Richard for your help on what turned out to be a very successful day. We ran out of the first run of election addresses so made do with some stock leaflets, mainly relating to national issues, so if you were looking out for the local leaflet please be patient as you will get one soon.

More people were around today than we would usually see during the week so it was good to talk over the local issues with a few locals and also receive the thumbs up from passing cars, so thanks go to them for their support.

We also bumped into the opposition as one lone Lib-Dem canvasser was making his way around this rather large ward, although to be fair we did see another a bit later. The UKIP team of 4 were also out and about. No sign was seen of Messrs Brown and Widger, the respective Green and Conservative candidates so perhaps the fact I was away last week may mean I have missed them. We saw the UKIP team outside of the shops in Newcroft Road by the Jenny Wren after we had popped into the shop to buy a much needed drink. Whilst in the shop I noticed the headline on the front of the Mail on Sunday newspaper referring to the latest evidence of how the campaign to promote Britishness by Gormless Brown, our unelected Prime Minister, is a sham, as if anyone wondered! British Jobs For British Workers he proclaimed, taking the British National Party's 20 year old policy, as if it were his own. Incapability Brown is now reported as having personally approved a decision to remove Britannia from the 50p coin. What next? A secret plan to remove the lines from the Union Flag and replace them with yellow stars perhaps?

The report goes on to say that all our coinage is to be overhauled by the Royal Mint in April and the patriotic symbol of Britannia is to disappear, a decision personally approved by the British Prime Minister! The overhaul is being billed as the most significant change since decimalisation and coins will be replaced with a representation of modern Britain thereby doing away with yet another Great British tradition.

It's interesting this has come to light now as having just returned from France I was struck with the increasingly similar appearance of the Euro currency to our own. So I was wondering if this might be an attempt to make our currency look like the Euro so our fascist Labour government can introduce the Euro to Britain by claiming that as it appears the same it will make no difference. Brown has signed away to the European Union pretty much all that is left of any power we once had, as well as selling off the countries gold reserves several years ago, so this certainly wouldn't be a surprise to me. The Mail has started a campaign to save the symbol, so sign up! I think we need to watch this space to see how this one develops and whether my thoughts about the back-door introduction of the Euro come to anything.

And so it goes on, in today's Sunday Express there is a report headed "Doctors Give In To Muslims". Apparently doctors and health workers have been banned from eating lunch at their desks in case it offends their Muslim colleagues during the "celebration" of the Muslim Ramadan festival. What next, patients having to eat after dark so they also don't offend?!

The last news item I want to mention, before I go absolutely crazy, and one which further proves this country is being run by fools was that from yesterday's Sun, although I think it was headlines in the Express, as they reported that fire chiefs had banned white men from attending recruitment open days....and they call the BNP racist?

With what is happening in this country there is little wondder that the BNP are gaining so many new members and it further convinces me that the British National Party are the only hope this country has if it wants to retain anything of what is / was good about this nation. I am also convinced that my standing at this Thursday's election is absolutely the right thing to do and although the election is about local issues, what happens nationally will eventually filter down to us here in Calne so I hope that those reading this will feel as angry as I do about how this once Great Britain of ours is being destroyed by idiotic, incompetent politicians and go out to vote accordingly.

There us still much to do in preparation for the local election so an early night is on the cards. There are not many more days left until Thursday so my waking hours will be spent in election mode. Come 10pm Thursday and it will all be over bar the count so onwards and upwards! I was going to say that a nice rest will be welcome but we have more elections to fight yet so watch this space for news and updates on this and other elections to come.

Back to Electioneering In Calne

2008-01-26T16:58:00.001Z

I hope there are one or two people left out there who check in occasionally to see if I have updated my blog. I know it's been a while so sorry about that but it's been unavoidable I'm afraid. The week before last I was unwell and this week I have been in France on a skiing holiday that was booked well before the by-election in Calne's Lickhill Ward was announced. I would have made mention of the holiday before but it 's probably not the wisest thing to announce publicly that your house is going to be empty for a week!

The holiday was fantastic, a week in Montgenevre in France, a stones throw away from the Italian border, with 14 friends. Excellent stuff - I may add a couple of photos here as soon as they are done but for now it's back to normal.

I only arrived back mid-afternoon today so have yet to catch up what is happening with regard to the election but I have a rather large post-bag containing copies of the leaflets for other parties, that have been posted to me from BNP members and supporters in the Lickhill ward! If any of the other parties standing run out of leaflets let me know as I seem to have rather a lot you can have back.

The campaigning begins again as from now and with election day less than a week away, it's going to be a busy week, although this time next week it'll all be over and we will know who the new councillor is. For those of you who are in the Lickhill Ward and reading this, but have yet to receive my leaflet, some of the text is below for information:-

I am a 48 year old local man being born and bred in Calne, having attended school in Calne and working and living within the local community in Calne. I am a father of four and grandfather of 3 and I want to do my bit to ensure that they and future generations inherit a town and country that they can be proud of. I am pleased to be your local BNP candidate and believe that truly local people are best suited to understand local problems and if elected I will my best to ensure that the concerns of ALL local people are addressed and acted upon to the best of my ability.

I hope to get around the Lickhill Ward to meet as many of you as I can but if I miss you and you would like to talk about the issues affecting our local community please

call me on 01249 815470 or 07747 628051

or email me on rbaggsy@yahoo.com

or drop me a line at British National Party, PO Box 3275, CALNE, Wiltshire, SN11 8WJ.

The BNP: working Hard in Calne

- Anti-social Behaviour - I will campaign to ensure that Calne has adequate police protection with more policemen "on the beat" and for the police station to be manned and opened to suit local needs.

- Town Centre Redevelopment - I will campaign to ensure that local people are properly consulted and engaged in discussions regarding major projects which affect the town, by utilising local media outlets so everyone knows what is going on.

- Traffic Calming Measures - I will ensure that reviews are carried out in all the local traffic hotspots with a view to introducing appropriate measures to reduce the congestion we see in the town.

- Sustainable Building - I will oppose all building projects in the town where local people feel that such projects are being carried out in the interests of greedy developers rather than in the best interests of the local community.

- Infrastructure - I will work to ensure the town council proactively engage with the appropriate authorities to ensure there is an adequate infrastructure to cope with a growing population so Calne does not continue to become simply a dormitory town for Chippenham.

I do hope to meet even more of those living in the Lickhill ward prior to polling day and also on polling day itself, which is - Thursday 31st January 2008 - at either the North Star Club or the Army Cadet Hut polling stations.

The skiing seems so long ago already.....!

You Think English Is Easy?

2008-01-14T22:20:00.002Z

The weather in Calne has, I think, finally got to me and I feel as rough as old boots tonight so haven't a great deal to say today but thanks to Andy, I will copy the contents of an email which is somewhat amusing. Hope you enjoy it.

You Think English is Easy???

Can you read these right the first time?

1) The bandage was wound around the wound.
2) The farm was used to produce produce.
3) The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.
4) We must polish the Polish furniture.
5) He could lead if he would get the lead out.
6) The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.
7) Since there is no time like the present , he thought it was time to present the present .
8) A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.
9) When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.
10) I did not object to the object.
11) The insurance was invalid for the invalid.
12) There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.
13) They were too close to the door to close it.
14) The buck does funny things when the does are present.
15) A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line.
16) To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.
17) The wind was too strong to wind the sail.
18) Upon seeing the tear in the painting, I shed a tear.
19) I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.
20) How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?

Let's face it - English is a crazy language. There is no egg in eggplant, nor ham in hamburger; neither apple nor pine in pineapple. English muffins weren't invented in England or French fries in France . Sweetmeats are candies while sweetbreads, which aren't sweet, are meat. We take English for granted But if we explore its paradoxes, we find that quicksand can work slowly, boxing rings are square and a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig.

And why is it that writers write but fingers don't fing, grocers don't groce and hammers don't ham? If the plural of tooth is teeth, why isn't the plural of booth, beeth? One goose, 2 geese. So one moose, 2 meese? One index, 2 indices? Doesn't it seem crazy that you can make amends but not one amend? If you have a bunch of odds and ends and get rid of all but one of them, what do you call it?

If teachers taught, why didn't preachers praught? If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat? Sometimes I think all the English speakers should be committed to an asylum for the verbally insane. In what language do people recite at a play and play at a recital? Ship by truck and send cargo by ship? Have noses that run and feet that smell?

How can a slim chance and a fat chance be the same, while a wise man and a wise guy are opposites? You have to marvel at the unique lunacy of a language in which your house can burn up as it burns down, in which you fill in a form by filling it out, and in which an alarm goes off by going on.

English was invented by people, not computers, and it reflects the creativity of the human race, which, of course, is not a race at all. That is why, when the stars are out, they are visible, but when the lights are out, they are invisible.

PS. - Why doesn't "Buick" rhyme with "quick"

Lovers of the English language might also enjoy this .

There is a two-letter word that perhaps has more meanings than any other two-letter word, and that is "UP."

It's easy to understand UP , meaning toward the sky or at the top of the list, but when we awaken in the morning, why do we wake UP ? At a meeting, why does a topic come UP? Why do we speak UP and why are the officers UP for election and why is it UP to the secretary to write UP a report ?

We call UP our friends. And we use it to brighten UP a room, polish UP the silver; warm UP the leftovers and clean UP the kitchen. We lock UP the house and some guys fix UP the old car. At other times the little word has real special meaning. People stir UP trouble, line UP for tickets, work UP an appetite, and think UP excuses. To be dressed is one thing but to be dressed UP is special.

And this UP is confusing: A drain must be opened UP because it is stopped UP. We open UP a store in the morning but we close it UP at night.

We seem to be pretty mixed UP about UP! To be knowledgeable about the proper uses of UP , look the word UP in the dictionary. In a desk-sized dictionary, it takes UP almost 1/4th of the page and can add UP to about thirty definitions. If you are UP to it, you might try building UP a list of the many ways UP is used It will take UP a lot of your time, but if you don't give UP , you may wind UP with a hundred or more. When it threatens to rain, we say it is clouding UP . When the sun comes out we say it is clearing UP .

When it rains, it wets the earth and often messes things UP
When it doesn't rain for awhile, things dry UP .

We could go on, but I'll wrap it UP , for now my time is UP , so... Time to shut UP !

Oh... one more thing:
What is the first thing you do in the morning & the last thing you do at night? U-P!

Hammer Attack Trial and Computers For Africa

2008-01-13T14:56:00.001Z

I wrote on Friday about my astonishment with various issues associated with the trial currently underway as a result of the Hammer Attack that took place at the Ridgeway School in Wroughton when Henry Webster was attacked and beaten by a gang of Asians. Well, yesterday this astonishment was even greater after I read the latest report on the case in the Swindon Advertiser. I was aware that quite a few people had been charged as a result of the attack but I was amazed that there are actually 16 Asian men on trial and the case has had to be split into two separate trials to make it easier to manage with the second trial being held in February. At this trial Kamren Khan, 19, Javed Khan, 20, Mizanur Rahman, 20, Roubel Meah, 20, Aqduss Rauf, 18, Bilal Yaqub, 18, and Mahbob Ali, 18, will be on trial accused of conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm for their involvement in planning the attack on 16-year-old Henry!

But the most amazing part of the report is where it says that the trial is being heard in Bristol so that jurors will not have prior knowledge of the incident! Bristol is a short car ride down the M4 so it would be almost unbelievable that anyone there had not heard about the attack. But apparently not, so why is this? Is it not interesting enough to publish in the mainstream press or has it been hushed up? Now if this was the trial of 16 white men for an attack on a 16-year-old Asian there would have been blanket coverage of the incident. I can only compare this with how, even now, the name Stephen Lawrence is one that everyone in the country is aware of despite the fact his murder took place in 1993. I know Henry is still alive and Stephen is not, but the attack is no less horrific in that the aim of both attacks was to kill the victim. Henry was very lucky he was not killed, but if he had been, would anyone know about it?

I was recently debating with a local voter in Calne's Lickhill Ward about my stance on law and order and my belief that anti-social behaviour was greater now than ever before. Subsequent to that discussion I was out canvassing and was told a story regarding an incident that happened in Rochdale Avenue recently. The story-teller was driving home from work when he saw the car in front of him suddenly pull up at the side of the road. One of the occupants jumped out and grabbed a youth off the street and proceeded to assault him. The chap telling me the story was going to intervene only to realise there were several other people in the car so he phoned the police who advised him to leave well alone and drive off. They told him it was drug-related and actually seemed more interested in obtaining his details than they were of those involved in the assault. This was in Calne, not London or Bristol, in Calne. Where is this going to end? It seems that this sort of crime takes place because the perpetrators know there is no-one around to do anything about it and that if the police are called, they will be long gone before they arrive. How soon will it be before one of these incidents results in a murder?

Finally today I must express my confusion regarding the publicity given to the following charity

http://www.computers4africa.org/

who, say on their web-site "The mission of Computers for Africa (CFA) is promoting sustainable Information and Communications Technology (ICT) development in rural African communities."

So, does this mean that there is sufficient food, water and medical facilities available in Africa? I suppose it must, if it is now felt that providing computers is what the needy Africans now require. Oh well, obviously the solutions to the problems of the world have been more quickly addressed than I had previously thought. What next, Ipods for Iraq?

Asian Racist Hammer Attack

2008-01-11T16:55:00.002Z

It has been pouring down with rain in Calne from first light to dusk and any physical election activity has had to be postponed for the day. Wet leaflets through letterboxes and opening doors to canvassers allowing the cold into houses is not the best way to win over the electorate. No matter, there are enough days and enough bodies available to complete the plans we have drawn up.

One of the most horrific crimes to have taken place in recent times here in North Wiltshire is what has become known as The Hammer Attack. Back in January 2007, Henry Webster, a 16 year old schoolboy, was viciously attacked by a gang of Asian youths on his school tennis court and was repeatedly punched, kicked and battered about the head with a claw hammer. Henry who attended the Ridgeway School in Wroughton suffered three skull fractures which needed surgery, and the violent blows have left him with permanent brain damage.

Four teenagers - Wasif Khan, 18, Amjad Qazi, 19, and two boys aged 15 and 16, who cannot be named - are charged with wounding with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm. Many questions will hopefully be asked and answered at this trial including what the first two of these teenagers were doing at the school in the first place. It is also interesting that they are referred to as teenagers and not youths or men. If a British soldier aged 19 was killed in Iraq, he would have been referred to as a man, not a teenager or a youth. It is interesting how people of the same age can be referred to in different ways depending on how a report wants to portray them. Obviously here by using the word teenagers, the intention is to make those on trial appear younger and therefore perhaps not as responsible for their behaviour as they would have been if called men. The other interesting point is that the crime they are on trial for is "intent to inflict grievous bodily harm". Hitting someone about the head repeatedly with a claw hammer, surely that has to be attempted murder. If the races of those involved were reversed I am sure it would have been. It's not as if there were no witnesses, the attack took place in a busy tennis court with tens if not hundreds of school children as witnesses. The attack was also filmed on at least one mobile phone. What more evidence do they need?

Bizarrely, yesterday's report in the Swindon Advertiser mentioned the events in Bristol Crown Court which included the questioning of Henry over whether there was a racist angle to the attacks. Robin Shellard, representing Qazi said: "I am suggesting that it was shouted to the group - where are your P*** mates?" and Henry denied this.

What is absolutely astounding is the implication that if this had been said there might have been some justification for the attack!

In today's paper a 16-year-old witness of the attack described when one of the group pulled the claw hammer out of their sleeve. The witness statements included the following - "One guy pulled the hammer out of his sleeve and just smacked him. As soon as he hit Henry, he fell to the ground. As he lay there bleeding, people kept kicking him. I picked up my phone and started filming. Looking on the phone screen I saw a silver object flashing. It looked like a hammer. One of them was hitting Henry in the back of the head with it. The guy with the hammer's hands kept going back and forwards, connecting with the back of Henry's head. Henry was on the floor trying to cover his head. You could hear all the girls screaming."

The witness said that he saw five Asian men and two Asian boys running away shortly afterwards.If anyone wants to read more about this trial the usual media outlets are probably not going to be where it is reported.

Back in the Spring of 2007 the BNP thought they would go to the school to see the fence that was being erected in the aftermath of the attack in an attempt to prevent this sort of thing happening again. We were there no more than five minutes before the Headmaster approached us and the police arrived. Perhaps if they were a little more on the ball back in January this incident would never have occurred. For more details on the court case, go to the BNP website and look at the Regional Voices section.

Finally last night I thought I would tune in to watch the first in the new Sky documentary series called "Wives". It's a documentary series looking at various groups of wives. The first in the series was "Transvestite Wives". I watched it for a few minutes and then had to turn it off. It's not the sort of world that has ever come into my thoughts and I fail to understand why grown men would wish to dress up as women, let alone go out of the house like it.

The reason for watching was that I wanted to see how the programme came across, whether it was serious or whether it was mocking as the second in the series is called "BNP Wives" and according to the Sky web-site portrays "A startling picture of the lives of women who married into and work for the British National Party. Wives meets women across the country with strong political beliefs". More often than not the media attempt to distort the true picture of what the BNP are all about and attempt to portray us in the darkest light possible. If last nights programme is anything to go by it should be a fair documentary, I certainly hope so having signed a disclaimer myself after being filmed during my Master of Ceremonies role at the party's annual Red, White and Blue (RWB) family festival. This time next week I will be able to make comment as appropriate.

Strangely the subsequent programmes are about "Gangster Wives" and "Polygamist Wives" so there is no surprise that I might be a touch sceptical about it.

And still the rain falls......

Electioneering In Calne And Mr Angry

2008-01-09T22:07:00.001Z

Another good evening out and about with the team leafleting Calne Lickhill Ward and grateful thanks go to Alex, Dave, Richard as we managed to get around at least a good third of the ward. It was pretty quiet but one of the handful of people we met on the way looks like becoming a member as well as being a definite voter, so thanks go to him.

The only negative point so far in this election campaign was today as I received a letter at the PO box from Mr Angry complaining that his mother-in-law received info from us. The writer asked a question in his letter but asked that neither his mother-in-law nor himself received any further communication from the BNP, which is fine and I will not waste valuable funds in doing so. The answer to his question, however, is that if a name appears on the electoral register we must assume that as a potential voter the person will be receiving leaflets from all parties so why not the BNP?

Anyway let's move on to some trivia and the word of the day today is BIGOT. The definition I found on the internet is "One who is strongly partial to one's own group, religion, race, or politics and is intolerant of those who differ" and I most definitely am NOT talking about me, just in case any anti-BNP readers were under any illusion that this was the case.

Moving on, perhaps someone would care to answer some questions for me about American politics. Does anyone understand how their electoral process works? Does anyone here in the UK actually care? Why do the UK media need to report the long and tedious and frankly boring process in their headlines? I suppose I am a little interested who the next president might be, but please, why do we need to know the outcome of the primaries and whatever else they call the various stages?

Perhaps it has something to do with the fact the USA see us as the 51st state and the media here think it important to nurture this "friends across the pond" relationship. Whichever, I again think that the average Brit cares not a jot about what happens across the pond in the same way that the yanks care not a jot about we Brits. I think that their fool of a president, George (or it Basil?) Bush see us, in Grand Britain or the Unified Kingdom, or whichever Bush-ism he refers to us as, only for our strategic value. I am so pleased I have been out tonight so that I haven't seen any news coverage. I had fish and chips from our traditional chippy, Mr Wang, earlier for my tea and I wouldn't want to see it again tonight!

God Bless America (oh, and Mr Angry, of course)

To Moderate or Not to Moderate - That is the Question.

2008-01-07T21:24:00.001Z

To moderate or not to moderate - that is the question.

Some of the comments I have received on this blog have been deleted due to the fact that for me to have published, would have implied support for statements which have not exactly been anything to do with the subject of the blog. I think it only fair that comments made are relevant and to do otherwise is be a waste of time. I also have some difficulty with anonymous comments and although not averse to publishing such comments it would be nice to think those commenting could do so without hiding behind anonymity.

Anyway, my feet are sore and I am a little cold. The team have just returned from plodding around the ward (for those who might have missed previous blogs, that would be the Lickhill Ward for which I am standing for election to Calne Town Council). We bumped into a couple of people whilst out and they were extremely positive about the leaflets and what we had to say which is always encouraging. Most people of course were sensibly shut up in their homes in the warm, well away from the cold outside. I've said in previous blogs that any election campaign at this time of year is difficult probably because people do tend to want to stay in their cosy homes and I can't really blame them. Another reason that makes any form of campaigning difficult particularly for those of us who have full-time jobs is that we have to plod the streets after dark and some of the paths to the front doors of some houses are quite poorly lit making it very difficult to see where you are walking. I would imagine it would have been quite entertaining to see me walking into bushes and tripping over steps that were almost invisible, but I won't make too much of this or the Health and Safety police may consider banning individuals from walking about at night.

Finally, an update to yesterdays blog when I commented on Dr Nazir-Ali's statements about no-go areas created by Muslims and the denial of Labour and Lib Dem politicians that this is a real problem. Well, I didn't include Conservatives amongst those listed as making such a denial, when I should have said that William Hague, failed Tory ex-leader and shadow foreign secretary, said: “I don’t think that view is factually correct. I’m not sure where these no-go areas are, I don’t recognise that description.” Oh well, perhaps Dr Nazir-Ali is wrong after all... or perhaps, again, these politicians are frightened because if the truth is exposed the BNP will gain in popularity even more than they have been doing, because they are the only party to tell the truth about what is happening to our country and as said before, this threatens the cosy existence of these mainstream politicians. Too many of them have been too cosy for too long, I think it's time for change.

Sunday Is A Day of Rest Unless You are In The BNP

2008-01-06T16:41:00.001Z

I have always thought of Sunday as being a restful and private day and so any campaigning for the Calne Lickhill Ward by-election has been limited to planning and an afternoon stroll around the ward.

My involvement started back in the 1970's when I was a member of the Ecology Party, prior to it becoming the Green Party. At that time it was a party mainly concerned with the environment but as it became more closely aligned with left-wing politics I became disillusioned and moved on. I have always had an interest in the environment and what we are doing to it and I do have concerns about the seemingly never-ending building we see going on around us, particularly on green field sites and I believe that where possible, building should take place on brown field sites. I was therefore most unhappy at seeing a splendid old house in Lickhill Road in the process of being demolished to allow several other new houses to be built on the plot and in the back gardens of the neighbouring houses. Are we to eventually see this as common place and all of those grand houses with large gardens destroyed and turned into building plots? I am sure that, where people see an opportunity to make a bit of money the environment will come a poor second.

I am not a religious person but loosely class myself as a Christian, having been brought up in the Christian tradition. I have little time for religious leaders of any persuasion, who consider they have a right to dictate to us how we live our lives when most of them have not lived normal and ordinary lives. I was however impressed today by the Bishop of Rochester, the Right Reverend Dr Michael Nazir-Ali. I heard on the national news that he had said Islamic extremism has turned some communities into no-go areas for people of a different faith or race. He said that non-Muslims may find it difficult to live or work in some places and that there was hostility in those areas and described the government's multicultural policies as divisive. This is all the more notable as Dr Nazir-Ali himself is of Asian origin.

Those of us in the British National Party have been saying exactly this for many years with the result that we are called racist and vilified by the liberal-left media, but now Dr Nazir-Ali has said exactly what we have been saying some politicians agree with him saying he had highlighted a real problem! Why don't they say that when the BNP raises these concerns? Perhaps it is simply because they are afraid of the impact that we may have on their cosy existence and that if we are recognised as being correct by addressing the concerns of the majority of the British people, they may lose whatever political powers they may have and the nice income together with the not inconsiderable expenses allowance that goes with it. Simply that. So, when we have the opportunity to make a difference, the obvious answer, to me, is to vote for someone who isn't afraid to speak up about the concerns that the public have.

Not surprisingly Muslims and some politicians (Lib Dem and Labour, no doubt) have accused the bishop of scaremongering. One of those politicians is Nick Clegg, the Tony Blair/David Cameron clone, leader of the Liberal Democrats, who was highly critical of the bishop's claims, describing them as "a gross caricature of reality". So when Dr Nazir-Ali claims there had been attempts to "impose an 'Islamic' character on certain areas", Nick Clegg is calling him a liar. I think that those of us who are awake to what is going on in this country know who is more likely to be correct.

Ibrahim Mogra, of the Muslim Council of Britain's inter-faith relations committee, described the bishop's comments as "alarming" because "there is no evidence he can put forward". Perhaps those living in areas of the type described by Dr Nazir-Ali, should write to Mr Mogra and tell him to take his very convenient blinkers off. I am sure he knows full well what is going on and I for one think that enough is enough - the Islamification of our country should stop now before it takes over!

Day 2 of the Calne Lickhill Ward By-election Campaign

2008-01-05T17:17:00.002Z

Day 2 of the Calne Lickhill Ward by-election campaign and it has been quiet except for a solo leafleting session and offers of support from local BNP members and supporters. The mail brought forth the official notification of all candidates standing together with the names of those nominating them.

January isn't the best time of year for an election campaign as most people are suffering from Christmas and New Year overload and want to just get on with their lives. One of the things I have often said to people when out canvassing is that, irrespective of what their political views might be, they should still go out and vote, but unfortunately, certainly in local elections, the turnout is very rarely more than 40%. I feel quite strongly that it should be compulsory for people to vote even if it means including an option for voting for "None of the Above". We all know of those who whinge and moan about the state of the country but do nothing to make a difference. I really hope I am proved wrong on the 31st January but I somehow doubt it.

Two local news story that have gone national have been of interest to me recently. The first, as it brings home that although we may all live full and vibrant lives we may end up being neglected and forgotten particularly with the way this government treats the elderly like second class citizens.

Olive Archer, from Swindon, but of late lived in a care home in Chippenham, hit the local news having passed away at the Great Western Hospital in Swindon in a Chippenham nursing home at the age of 83. She received no visitors in her last 5 years and it seemed would have no mourners at her funeral. Local vicar the Reverend Lonsdale said "It is very sad that the passing of a life is only marked by a funeral director and a minister." Apparently Olive never married and spent much of her life caring for her mother. It may well be that Olive wanted to spend her last days the way she did, but with the news hitting the national press it tugged on people's hear strings and some Swindon residents have come forward having been acquainted with Olive, including an ex-mayor of Swindon, as well as others from further afield such as a lady from Chester, who has offered to provide flowers for the funeral. It certainly is a sad day when after 83 years of life it could have been possible that this lady would have ended her days alone. It certainly makes you appreciate the importance of your own family and friends.

The second story relates to the daughter of a Second World War RAF pilot who was charged with assault after allegedly slapping a boy she believed had vandalised a remembrance garden in Mangotsfield near Bristol. Julie Lake claimed the 15-year-old was one of a number of youths responsible for the attack on the memorial in her village dedicated to those killed fighting for Britain. Mrs Lake felt she had to take action and intervene but was arrested after giving a boy, whom she believed to be the ringleader, a talking-to and a "cuff round the ear" just before Christmas. Mrs Lake put into words the feelings that the vast majority of British people must feel about this saying "The memorial is a sacred place - it's like a grave. How dare these youngsters tarnish the memories of those who made a sacrifice for future generations?" As is so familiar with much anti-social behaviour these days Mrs Lake had called the police and tried to talk to the youths but had got nowhere, losing her temper in frustration after two years of trying to get something done. Now something has been done Mrs Lake is in the wrong and immediately the police are after her.

This week when Mrs Lake attended Staple Hill police station in Bristol, she was flanked by 15 members of the Royal British Legion who went along to support her. Outside of the police station she said that "Long after this is over, we will continue our fight against anti-social behaviour." Mrs Lake said that 15 youths surrounded her and mockingly asked if her husband, who was in their car, was going to rescue her. She said many older villagers were too scared to venture out at night as gangs of teenagers in hooded tops roam around. Mrs Lake added: "I'll go to prison if I have to because this is not about me, it is about the whole community who are scared to leave their homes."

Mrs Lake was bailed and will appear before magistrates on January 17 to potentially face an assault charge carrying a maximum penalty of six months in jail or a £5,000 fine.

Part of my local election campaign will concentrate specifically on this type of activity, such that due to the anti-social activities of gangs of youths many people are frightened to go out after dark. I believe the responsibility for dealing with this rests with the police, but if they aren't prepared to do something about this then I know there are others who are prepared to do so.

Calne By-election Nominations Close Today

2008-01-04T16:30:00.001Z

Today, at noon, nominations closed for the Calne Town Council Lickhill Ward by-election, due to take place on Thursday 31st January and I am sure it will come as no surprise that I will be standing in this election. I spent Wednesday night discussing tactics with the local BNP campaign team completing the paperwork and obtaining the required signatures for my nomination. Yesterday lunch-time I met with Mike Howson, Mid West Regional Organiser, to deliver our paperwork and as always we were met by a friendly and helpful representative of the North Wilts District Council elections team, who confirmed our nomination was valid, this being confirmed by post today.

Details of all of those successfully nominated and therefore standing in the election are:-

Glenis Ansell - Liberal Democrats

Robert Baggs - British National Party

Ellie Bland - United Kingdom Independence Party

Geoff Brown - The Green Party

Gregg Widger - Conservative.

I was hoping that my name would be first alphabetically so I would appear on the top of the ballot sheet but I won't lose too much sleep over that! All, but the name of the Conservative candidate are familiar to me but I wish all candidates the very best of luck.

For anyone interested, I intend to update my blog on a daily basis, where practical to do so, reporting back on the events as they happen in the campaign. I really hope this will be a campaign about the issues and a campaign free from external interference from those who do not believe in democracy, as this is a campaign about, and for, the people of Lickhill Ward, Calne, no-one else. I intend to run a fair campaign, but will not idly sit back and let others play dirty, so I trust the other candidates feel the same as me.

The local press were pretty hot off the blocks for this one, as I arrived home to a voice message left on my phone at 3.03pm from Lucy Buckland of the Wiltshire Gazette. I rang Lucy back and she advised me she was phoning all candidates for a few personal details together with reasons why they were standing for council. At least I answered the most difficult question I will have to face during this campaign and that was my age (48, by the way!)

I also said that being born and bred and growing up in North End, Calne I was well placed to understand the history of the town and in particular the Lickhill Ward area. I also told her that having lived in Calne for the last 12 years, after living away for the previous 12 years working as a civil servant attached to the armed forces, and also now working in the town I had the best interests of the people of Calne at heart and have much affection for the area.

As the campaign progresses and the BNP team travel around the area distributing leaflets and visiting local people, more details of why I am standing will emerge. We have already had a very positive response from those who were very keen for us to stand and I am sure this is a very good sign.

If anyone wants to know more then please drop me a line at:-

PO Box 3275, Calne, Wiltshire, SN11 8WJ

or contact me directly (if you don't know how to, then send a comment via this blog - all comments are sent to my email address for moderation, so if you send me any personal details I will ensure they do not appear on this blog).

Anyway, there is work to be done, so let the campaign begin!

A Happy New Year?

2008-01-01T19:53:00.001Z

It's the first day of a new year, the 1st of January 2008, so I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year.

At this time of year we like to put the past behind us and look towards a brighter and better future, but a quick look at what is going on in this country together with what is happening in the rest of the world will do nothing but cast a shadow over this brighter and better future we all aspire to.

Internationally we have just seen the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, a very brave woman, who against all odds attempted to stand up to the male-dominated Islamic hierarchy in Pakistan. It was really only a matter of time before the inevitable happened and she was hushed up but I'm surprised it took so long considering the attitudes that Muslims have towards their women. Whatever you may think about Muslims the lady has to be admired for her bravery, a quality that many of her fellow countrymen seem to have recognised resulting in the civil unrest we have all seen on our television screens during this last week. If the Pakistani government continues to adjust their story about what happened as it suits them, I am sure the situation will not improve.

Another example of how those in authority have abused the responsibility they have towards their people has been seen in Kenya. Again, civil unrest has been the result, this time though from what appears to be a rigged election.

Finally the situation in both Afghanistan and Iraq do not seem to improve and the dying continues.

What links all of these situations is the apparent lack of respect that those involved have for the sanctity of life and the apparent absence of any sense of orderliness and lack of self-discipline resulting in the familiar scenes we have all witnessed on our television sets.

Perhaps this is what results from the frustrations the people feel from the lack of attention that is given to, what they feel to be, genuine grievances. Perhaps that is the inevitable outcome for all of us, that if we become frustrated enough, we resort to extreme actions that ordinarily would seem completely alien particularly in a civilised society that we are supposed to enjoy in the Western world.

So how much further can we be pushed?

From all quarters the British people are being subjected to attacks on our traditional and once secure way of life. We are ruled by a fascist Labour government led by that most dislikeable and disliked Incapability Brown. Our health service, standards of education, our social infrastructure and the rule of law are all under threat as we are forced, still, to bow and scrape to the god of political correctness. We are made to feel ashamed when we stand up to proclaim how proud we are to be British, English or White in case we upset those who are now living amongst us who are not from these shores. Yes, the ones who came here to enjoy the freedoms and more prosperous way of life that did actually once exist in this once great nation of ours, but instead of embracing the Britishness that most of us believe in, they take every opportunity and make every effort to destroy our society and convert it into the society they experienced but left behind to come here.

I don't know whether or not New Year's resolutions are still popular but if every true British man and woman have not resolved to cut out this cancer currently destroying our society, then the Britain we once knew and loved will wither and die. The longer that true Britons stay asleep and ignore what is happening, the quicker this end will come with the outcome for this land being exactly the same as those considered less civilised and whatever we once felt was worthy will be gone.

Happy New Year?

A Fairy Story for the Festive Season

2007-12-30T15:28:00.001Z

A Fairy Story for the Festive Season

Recently, demonstrations have taken place across the country protesting the fact that Parliament is finally addressing the issue of illegal immigration. Certain people are angry that the UK might actually want to protect it own borders, might make it harder to sneak into this country and, once here, make it harder as an illegal immigrant to stay indefinitely. Let me see if I correctly understand the thinking behind these protests.

Let us say I break into your house. Then, when you discover me in your house, you insist that I leave, but I say, I've made all the beds and washed the dishes and done the laundry and swept the floors. In fact, I have done all the things you do not like to do. I am hard working and honest. Well, except for when I broke into your house.

According to the protesters, not only must you let me stay, you must also add me to your family's insurance plan, educate my children, pay for all my family's medical and other health care needs, and provide many other benefits to me and to my family. My husband will do your gardening and general odd jobs because he, too, is hard-working and honest. Well, except for when we broke into your house.

If you try to call the police or force me out, I will call my friends, who will picket your house carrying signs that proclaim my illegal right to be there. It is only fair, after all, because you have a nicer house than I do, and I am just trying to better myself. I am hardworking and honest. Well, except for the . . . . um, you know. . . . . the breaking in part.

And what a great deal it is for me! I live in your house, contributing only a fraction of the cost of my keep, and there is nothing you can do about it without being accused of selfishness and prejudice against house breakers. I want you to learn my language, so you can communicate with me, because English is too hard for me to learn. Also, you must change the rules in our schools so that my children can wear the clothes I want them to wear, rather than the uniform your children have to wear. Your schools must also provide special foods to my children and your children must eat these foods, too, because I do not want my children eating many of the foods you and your children eat. Otherwise, you must build schools that are especially for my children, and others like them, where they can wear the clothes of my choice, speak the language of my choice, eat the food of my choice and are taught the subjects of my choice.

If you are of a different religion to me, you and your children must also learn all about my family's religion, although the schools you build for my children will not teach them about the religion of you and your family. As I am living in your house, you and your family must stop celebrating your own religious festivals but allow me always to celebrate mine. If I break the rules of your house, I should not be subject to the same punishments as your own family because my rules may be different from yours. You should also allow me to vote in my own language because I live in your house.

Only in the UK could all this happen. Why cannot people see how ridiculous this is? If you agree, why not make a New Year's resolution that in 2008 you will do something about it rather than just sit back and let it happen.

http://www.bnp.org.uk/

A Great British Tradition - Fox Hunting

2007-12-26T22:56:00.001Z

I thought I might start my blog today by suggesting that if you consider the current law banning fox-hunting with hounds is a legitimate law resulting from concerns over animal welfare then think also about the situation existing in this country with regard to the increasing occurrence of halal slaughter, the ritual killing of animals as a result of allowing animals to bleed to death after slitting their throats. Fox-hunting by comparison is harmless in that, yes, the odd fox might be killed, but fox-hunting does not pose a threat to the society in which we live, in fact, unless you have made the effort to do so, you have probably never even seen a hunt taking place, whereas the increase in halal slaughter is indicative of the creeping islamification of the British nation. The banning of fox-hunting has nothing to do with animal welfare, it has everything to do with class war and the attempts of a corrupt Labour government to destroy those who live and work in the countryside, why else would they order their police force to take so much of an interest (here) in what goes on when they would be better utilised fighting real crime.

My earlier blog on Sunday 4th November marked the start of the hunting season and today I returned to South Herefordshire to support the hunt on their Boxing Day meet. It is always quite bleak there at this time of year and was a little on the cold side, to say the least, so this made it all the more pleasing to see so many people out in support. The number this year was up in comparison to last year and must have been several hundred strong. As said in my earlier blog it is certainly an exhilarating experience to see the hounds

together with so many horses and riders dressed in traditional hunting attire charging across open fields following the trail, carefully laid to avoid a real fox being hunted, and the sound of the hunting horn in the distance.

I know some readers will be well on their high horses by now, so here’s another picture of the hounds as a reminder that if fox-hunting disappears altogether then these animals will be destroyed as they are specifically bred to carry out this work.

Also remember that there are hundreds of staff associated with hunts who will lose their jobs. Additionally there are the farmers who rely on the hunts to pick up fallen stock and they will have to look elsewhere for volunteers, so who would do it? If you are angered by what I have written then direct your anger by protesting about real animal welfare issues like the halal slaughter as mentioned above and also remember that this is part of the Labour governments big plan to destroy all that is traditional in this once great land of ours, nothing more, nothing less!

BNP Go To Glastonbury

2007-12-24T13:31:00.001Z

This time of year is an exciting time for most people as families gather to celebrate Christmas. The traditional Christmas meal, the carols and the exchange of presents tend to be highlights of the day. The only negative aspect of the period is the fact that it occurs in the “bleak mid-winter” and although snow seems to be longed for at this time for the perfect Christmas scenery, it can also present problems not least for our mental state when longing for some warmth.

I don’t, however, think I would like the Australian version of Christmas, where they eat their Christmas dinner on the beach, but it would be pleasant to think of warmer and more summery times. Consequently to help conjure up that summery feeling I thought I would hark back to the lazy, hazy days of summer when the BNP went to Glastonbury.

Back in June, as I have been doing for many a long year now, I packed my ruck-sack, tent and sleeping bag and trundled off to the Glastonbury festival. The festival is much different to what it was when I first went back in 1979, when only several days prior to the festival taking place I decided to attend. I thought I would initially check to see if there were any tickets available and my first port of call was to check the telephone directory to see if there was a number listed for Worthy Farm in Pilton, the site for the festival. Fortunately there was and I rang the number. The phone was actually answered by Michael Eavis, the owner of the farm and the organiser of the festival, who advised me to just turn up and get a ticket on the gate. In more recent times the ticketing arrangements have been handled by an agency with a highly convoluted system for obtaining tickets. Despite all of this we managed to obtain tickets this year and managed as always to see some great bands, highlights over the years are many and have included The Only Ones, David Bowie, Paul McCartney, The Darkness and this year, The Who.

The festival is about more than just the music though, you can actually attend the festival and have plenty to do without even seeing a band, some of the events taking place in the open air and others under cover. This year more time was spent under cover than not as the weather was actually not summery at all as it pretty much poured with rain the whole weekend. I think the picture below, taken from inside a tent illustrates this quite well!

At the festival one of the areas I make a point of visiting every year is the Left Field, this is actually a very big tent with a stage in one end and many politically orientated and trade union stalls arranged along the sides. The name of the tent actually gives away the leanings of those that are to be found within, but my particular interest is to see how much anti-BNP activity goes on to provide some indication of how much of a threat to their cosy little world they see us to be. This year I was pleased then to see that they found us to be a very big threat indeed! The next picture shows me having a good look at one of the stalls, I think this was the Unite against Fascism one, as I seem to recall that fine example of British man-hood, Weyman Bennett being present (at the back in the corner) and I was pleased to see he was spittle -free. I am the one at the front of the stall incidentally, though you may have deduced that already. You might think, from this photo, that they were doing great business but remember that the weekend was notable for the amount of rain that fell.

Despite this however, and the fact that a tent would be a good place to shelter in the circumstances, together with the added bonus that there was a band on as well, you might think the tent would have been bursting at the seams. Well, there you would be quite wrong and to illustrate what a spent-force UAF and all of the other pitiful anti-BNP organisations are, just have a look at the picture below – not exactly heaving is it?

Well, there you go, there should be nothing stopping us should there?

So, on that note, I will wish all readers a very happy Christmas and ask that you spare a thought at this time for those of us who are less fortunate than others and also remember those here who are no longer with us. Merry Christmas!

Any Christians Out There?

2007-12-23T13:05:00.001Z

It looks like I am back on the blogging scene on a regular basis, having taken advantage of a buy now pay later offer from a well-known retailer. In a way I feel that I have to apologise for inflicting you all with my ramblings but in another I am quite pleased to have the freedom to write and publish as and when I wish. It certainly allows me the option of near instant publishing which is quite satisfying. So, I can publicly thank Father Christmas, but I won't be needing a PC now so he can now give the one he had set aside for me to another lucky person, at least I won’t have to sit on his knee. Ho Ho Ho!

I read today that the apparently once very straight-laced Women’s Institute is urging members to ban prayers from carol concerts. Jane Harris, one of their regional chairmen, has said that prayers were “not appropriate” because many WI members are not Christian. Now, I wouldn’t say I was a religious person but I was brought up in the Christian tradition when we took part in morning assembly at school when prayers and hymns were sung and the traditional carol service at Christmas when carols and prayers were part and parcel of the event. Additionally there was the nativity play held at all schools. Incidentally, I must say how pleased I was, when driving through Calne last weekend to see an open air nativity play complete with real donkey. Whoever was responsible should be congratulated for maintaining this tradition in such a format and lets hope it continues for many years to come. Despite my lack of religion, these events always gave those involved a certain feeling of togetherness and created some structure and order in the day. It seems that changing these events has removed the feelings of belonging and the sense of order and has replaced them with a selfish over-indulgence and the shallow celebrity worship. It is also interesting to note that Nick Clegg, the new Tony Blair/Dave Cameron clone replacement Lib Dem leader has publicly stated that he does not believe in God. Fair enough, I suppose, if he doesn’t, but I’m sure he has alienated many of his supporters by saying so. Great start Nicky boy, keep it up, let’s see if we can make it 4 leaders in as many years shall we?

I am sure all of the politically-correct fascists are very happy at all of this as they can rest easy in the knowledge that no-one will be offended at Christmas as a result of Christians worshiping in the way they have for hundreds of years. It’s just a shame they do not seem to realise that Christmas is a Christian festival and the majority of people in this country are, in fact, Christian, well they are for now anyway. I trust those responsible for this political correct attitude will be spending their Christmas Day doing nothing different from that which they do every other day. I would hate to think they were enjoying themselves on the most important day of the year in the Christian calendar!

I’m pleased to say that I am almost ready for Christmas despite a bit of a late start. I have grand plans to get organised much earlier next year and hopefully have all the presents and preparations well in hand long before the winter. We’ll see how it goes!

Reaction To BNP Activity In Calne Is Remarkable

2007-12-19T16:07:00.001Z

The reaction to our activity in Calne has been quite remarkable. As well as the coverage reported on Monday, an item has also now appeared in Swindon’s local paper, The Swindon Advertiser this week. Swindon is almost twenty miles from Calne yet it is still considered newsworthy there, see the link here.

One thing I find interesting about these reports are the comments made by those members of the public that are actually allowed to register with the site to make comments. It seems that those written in support of the BNP are quite rational on the whole, whilst those that are against us feel they have to go off on a rant and become abusive. I wonder how many of those who are against us have ever looked at any literature or the party web-site or have ever spoken to any of our members and how many are just uninformed bigots. I would imagine that the majority of negative comments made originate from the latter. All very brave when they are anonymous, I wonder how they would cope in open debate.

Anyway, both of the leaflets currently being distributed in Calne are being received by the public very well indeed, except of course, by those who feel it useful to waste police time in reporting the fact. Just to avoid confusion I have copied below the text of the local leaflet we have been distributing, which contains reference to our local PO Box number which is

PO Box 3275, CALNE, Wiltshire, SN11 8WJ.

Page 1

Calne Patriot
Defending British Freedom, Security, Identity and Democracy

A BELATED THANK YOU!

The May local elections now seem to be a dim and distant memory but we haven’t forgotten the support we received in those elections and would like to say a big thank you to those of you who voted for us and those of you who contacted us from the wards for which we had no candidates and offered us your support.

We achieved a total of 378 votes in the three wards, (Abberd, Quemerford and Lickhill), where we stood for Calne Town Council and 91 votes, 13% of the total, for the Abberd Ward of North Wilts District Council. This was the first time we had stood in Quemerford and Lickhill and the third time in Abberd (including a by-election). In Abberd the vote percentage increased by 38% over that received in 2003, which was very encouraging.

Next time we intend to stand even more candidates and are planning our campaign already so all Calne voters will have the opportunity to vote BNP.

It may be of interest that we now have more than 75 Councillors across the country and this total is increasing regularly as we contest by-elections as they arise. The BNP will be contesting the Wiltshire Council elections and also both the General Election and the Euro-elections when they take place so there will be plenty of opportunities to show your support for the party.

Much needs to be done, so if you believe, as we do, that we need to once more see Britain as a great nation and preserve our traditions, heritage and culture for our children then please complete the coupon overleaf and join with us.

You will be very welcome.

Autumn 2007 Edition

Calne Patriot is printed, published and promoted by the
British National Party, PO Box 3275, CALNE, Wiltshire, SN11 8WJ

Page 2

British National Party
The Voice of the Silent Majority

1,000s of forward-thinking and decent British people in Britain are helping to build the BNP. The stronger we are the more likely it will be that Gordon Brown and his cronies will have to stop talking about the problems faced by this country and actually start doing something.

If the main parties put as much energy and finance into addressing the real concerns, issues and problems of local communities, as they do into international and minority issues, there would be no need for the BNP!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Join the British National Party today and
give the people of Calne and Britain a voice.

Why not list your concerns below, send them to us and see if we can help you?

⁭ Please send me a free information pack from the BNP
⁭ Please add me to the local BNP Voice of Freedom newspaper round
⁭ I would like to help my local BNP
⁭ I would like to join the BNP, please send me details

Name:……………………………………………………………………………

Address:…………………………………………………………………………

Telephone No.:…………………….. Email: ……………..………..………..

Please send to:
The Secretary, PO Box 3275, CALNE, Wiltshire, SN11 8WJ

Page 3

Introducing:-

The BNP Helping Hands Team

We are here and prepared to help our community.

If you are having problems or concerns in your area that others seem unable to help you with then contact the

British National Party Helping Hands Team

by calling us on

07747 628051

(if we are busy then please leave your name and number and someone will call you back later in the day)

or alternatively write to

Helping Hands Team (Calne)
C/o PO Box 3275,
CALNE,
Wiltshire,
SN11 8WJ

We may not be able to sort out the problem for you but we will do our best to help.

The British National Party is the Voice of the Silent Majority so if you would like to use that voice both locally and nationally, consider a change, consider a party that WILL listen to you and WILL address your concerns without fear of being constrained by the curse of political correctness.

The British National Party is here for you!

Page 4

Where We Stand
– British National Party policy

Crime: A crack-down on crime with more ‘Bobbies on the Beat’. Tougher treatment of criminals, including the return of the death penalty for child killers and terrorists. Zero tolerance for drug-dealers and violent thugs.

Violent crime in Wiltshire has risen by 23% in the past year a Home Office survey has revealed. The British Crime Survey found there were 8,369 violent offences, including 580 sexual offences in Wiltshire in 2005-2006.

Despite this, Wiltshire Police said the county remained one of the safest places to live in England, the second safest, in fact.

The British National Party believes that your average “Bobby” wants to do a good job but despite

The Wiltshire Police Authority element of your council
tax increasing by 4.9% this year (5% last year),

they are being hampered by

Home Office farcical attempts to restructure of police forces
– (now abandoned!)

Difficulties in accessing the police – different contacts for
reporting “minor” crime.

Politically-correct management and excessive red tape.

Seemingly increasing petty crime in Calne.

The British National Party believe that Brown and his politically-correct cronies should stop tinkering with existing perfectly adequate laws and make sure they are properly enforced and criminals properly punished. Let the police get on and do what they are there to do. This Government need to get their priorities right and put the victims of crime first!

END

I know there are people in areas we have not yet visited, who are requesting the leaflets and other literature, so if anyone reading this falls into that category just let me know your location and we will see this area is covered.

Robert Baggs Blogspot = Source of News

2007-12-17T13:17:00.001Z

I have been inundated with messages of support this week as a result of various items that have appeared in the local press, so as I am unable to thank everyone via the Wiltshire Gazette comments section, I will do so here. Thank you for your support, it has been very welcome and very encouraging to know there are so many of you that believe in what we are doing.

As said I would have put this message on the comments section in the Gazette, but along with many other local BNP members and activists we are blocked from registering on the site. Free press? You’ve got to be joking, what are they afraid of?

Anyway, it seems my blogspot is now a source of news for the local press, so at least someone is reading it. Some of you may have read my story about the rapidly developing soap opera starring local UKIP supporters here in Calne. On Thursday 6th December, I reported here about the resignation of my Aunt, Mercy Baggs, from UKIP and lo and behold in the Wiltshire Gazette on Thursday 13th the following article appeared, here. Nice to see I have an acknowledgement. It’s also nice to see that local UKIP’ers are panicking about the situation. Local organiser John Ireland is less than pleasant in his remarks, which I suppose you could expect considering he was instrumental in the departure of Mercy. Additionally, denials of any spat abound from other party members, funny that as they were actually present during the incident.

Another mention in the press was reported to me by a local supporter. This time the Wiltshire Times are responsible with their report “Police reassure public over BNP leaflet claims”. Unfortunately the report isn’t available on the paper’s web-site so I can’t link it but it starts “The British National Party has been posting leaflets canvassing for members in Calne over the past week. The leaflet claims that robberies, muggings and sexual assaults have increased in the town.” It later adds “Wiltshire police is a non-political organisation. However, we are aware of certain information which has been circulating within Calne”. There is more but these two selections are interesting. The first because the leaflet we have been putting out, over a lot more than a week (!) is this one crime leaflet (here). Now, I might not be the sharpest nail in the toolbox but can’t see the word “Calne” anywhere in the leaflet. If anyone else can please let me know. The second point is that the police, although a “non-political organisation” have been made aware of the leaflet. I wonder if they are also made aware of all other leaflets that circulate within Calne.

This story developed further when on Friday the local Calne reporter on the Wiltshire Gazette rang me as she had had calls from several locals complaining about the leaflet. After a chat with her the following report appeared on the paper’s web-site here. Again, several interesting points arise. Firstly, “…furious residents complained to police after the BNP pushed propaganda through their door”. Furious??? As a result of the above leaflet? I’d hate to think how they would react if they received something offensive…. but then with no Labour party in the town I suppose that is unlikely! Next, we see a local landlord, picked at random (?), suggesting we “are not showing our true colours”. Presumably the landlord has seen our web-site and realises we have a whole raft of policies about every issue that every other party has and feels we are under-selling ourselves – just have a look at http://www.bnp.org.uk/ to see what I mean. (The membership application is in the post Richard).

Now to a very interesting bit – remember above, the police stated they are “a non-political organisation”, well, the Gazette report says “Police sent the leaflet, which has a form to fill in and send off to know more about the party, to the town council”. Why? Why would a non-political organisation send a copy of a totally legal leaflet to the town council? Would it be they agree with it? Are the local police to be counted amongst our many members within the police force who have to remain anonymous for fear of losing their jobs? Probably not. As this seems to be happening in other parts of the country I can only assume that the police have received orders from above such that the BNP have to be obstructed from carrying out perfectly legal activities as one would expect from a perfectly legally registered political party. The thing is that the more they do this the more the public can see we are right and come to join us.

If this blog appears to be knocking the police then believe me we are fully behind the hard-working average copper. The ones we have a gripe with are the ones at the top who seem to be more concerned with acting in the interests of political correctness and this fascist Labour government than dealing with anti-social behaviour – their response to this leaflet proves my point.

Finally, a comment found on the Gazette item from “kathy27” summed it all up really and certainly caused me to laugh out loud, she commented “HELP! I need to call the police, I’ve just had a Somerfields leaflet through my door”.

Enough said really.

Provisional Plans For Calne By-election

2007-12-12T15:28:00.002Z

Sorry I haven’t blogged for a few days, the absence of a computer is one problem but I have also been biting my tongue with regard to another that some readers will understand and others will not. So, for now it is business as usual and “no comment”.

Provisional plans are in hand for fighting the Lickhill Ward by-election in Calne, should we decide to do so. The nomination papers are due on Friday 4th January so by Monday 7th we will know who is contesting the election, which will take place on Thursday 31st January. As those involved in politics know, and probably those who aren’t could hazard a guess, but this isn’t the best time of year to have an election as there is the once very popular Christian festival known as Christmas due any day now. For those readers who aren’t sure what Christmas is, you may know it as Winterval, Winter Holiday or some other non-threatening, all inclusive title apparently created to appease all colours, creeds etc., etc., but primarily introduced to upset those British people who value their true heritage, customs and traditions. At infant’s school I was Joseph in the nativity play, when this actually meant something and every school held one. This year I was asked if I knew where I could borrow a flat cap as “my son is in the Christmas play”. Don’t recall a flat cap being required in my day, a dressing gown, towel and piece of cord were all that was required. It just makes me wonder what my grandparents and their contemporaries, who fought two World Wars in order to retain the freedoms that those who can remember we once held dear, would think of the once Great Britain they knew and loved. With our once great country spiralling deeper each day down into, what, only twenty or thirty years ago would have been classed a Third World country, I am sure they would have been ashamed at what politicians have done to destroy this nation. Not only are they destroying the very fabric of our society with standards of healthcare, education and law and order falling, the true British race itself is in decline, don’t just take my word for it read the report from the government’s national statistics office here.

As I forecast in an earlier blog, the way things are going I foresee massive civil unrest occurring by way of a backlash to what is happening. If anyone doubts the words of the late and great Enoch Powell in his famous “Rivers of Blood” speech, then they are surely not living in the real world. It may already be too late to save what is left but I would like to think that in the next 30 years we could at lease give it a go and salvage most of what could be good about this country again. 30 years may seem like a great deal of time, but, believe me, at my age with time passing as quickly as it does, it will soon come around and when it does and if nothing has been done, the consequences are not worth thinking about. Remember, that you and I may have passed on by then but our children and grand-children will be the ones who have to deal with it. When you are enjoying your Christmas festivities with family and friends, just look at the younger members of your family and imagine what the future may hold for them and if you feel like I do, make a New Year’s resolution to actually do something about it here.

UKIP In Turmoil

2007-12-06T13:49:00.001Z

Calne isn’t a particularly well known town outside of North Wiltshire and to outsiders is probably seen as a fairly sleepy market town. It does, however, have its fair share of political upset. Today I learned that the local UKIP organisation is in turmoil as Mercy Baggs, who holds a seat on the Town Council has resigned from the party to become an Independent. Apparently she has done so in disgust at being verbally abused by a member of her own party. Mrs Baggs (yes, my Aunt), has been a Town Councillor for many years and was responsible for starting and running the towns successful drop-in centre for school-age children and consequently is well respected in the town as a councillor who is prepared to actually do something about the problems in the town rather than just talk about them, so I am sure UKIP will be devastated with her decision.

I have never really understood what UKIP are all about and feel that despite having a fair few MEPs, elected in 2004, they have made no impact in bringing the failures of the EU into the public arena, in the same way that the BNP have, for example, brought the immigration issue to the forefront of political debate, with all parties now actively making noises about their concerns, but actually doing nothing about the situation. I am sure everyone is now aware of the allegations regarding the illegal donations accepted by the Labour party but who is aware of the problems UKIP are having?

If ever I have had any control over finances I have always ensured transparency where it is required so find it extraordinary that UKIP apparently refuses to publish details of their MEP’s EU expenses and allowance claims, sums that can potentially be in the order of £100,000 to £200,000! It seems they are no different from Labour, the Lib-Dems and the Conservatives and perhaps worse as I seem to recall they used to make quite a thing about “openness” and “accountability” in public life. I understand there to be a growing demand from the party’s grassroots members, not only to know how much money has been claimed since 2004, but also to know how it has been spent. Additionally members want to know the connection, if any, between the claiming of EU allowances and expenses, said to amount to several million pounds, and the threat of an OLAF, (no I’d never heard of that either, but see here) investigation into UKIP’s financial affairs that the media claimed earlier this year was hanging over the party here. It is also alleged that UKIP are using their allowances to pay the salaries of UKIP officials and organisers which is apparently illegal. Perhaps that is why the MEPs are having no effect, as they are aware OLAF is watching them and they are frightened to upset the EU applecart for fear of OLAF pouncing. We shall see and if true oh shall we laugh!

UKIP - There They Were Again!

2007-12-04T10:06:00.002Z

There they were again! UKIP representatives popping up in the national media yet again. This time the fluffed up, pompous buffoon Nigel Farage, UKIP leader pops up on the November 29th edition of BBC’s Question Time on which there was much debate about the visit by British National Party Leader Nick Griffin to Oxford University and it’s impact on freedom of speech issues.

On Thursday 8th November, Nigel Farage was also a guest on BBC Five Live’s “major debate on ‘Immigration’”. Apparently the same issue was debated on BBC2’s Newsnight at the same time.

Over the last month UKIP representatives seem to have been quite in demand, strange really for a party that is essentially just a hollow shell. Peter Roberts, UKIP’s PPC for Telford recently appeared on Channel 4’s Dispatches programme which examined the causes of congestion and the governments proposals for a road pricing scheme. Talk 107fm interviewed UKIP Treasurer Marta Andreasen on 18th November, following the publication of the EU accounts and 25th November saw Peter Wyatt, Chairman of UKIP’s Fishing Policy Review Group discussing the dumping of dead fish in the sea as a result of EU quota’s. Previous interviewees have included Nigel Farage, David Lamb (Pensions and Benefits Policy Review Group), Paul Henke (UKIP Scotland Chairman), Gerald Batten (UKIP MEP and candidate for London Mayor) and Richard Heslip (Defence Policy Review Group). Further UKIP guests are also in the pipeline.

Admittedly UKIP have several MEPs so the media outlets would presumably argue this to be the reason why they are given a platform, but recent history needs to be examined, as the MEPs were elected in 2004 and no significant elections have been won by them since. Recent local council by-elections have been absolute disasters. On the 15th November, for example, in Lincolnshire ’s Heighington and Washingborough Ward, UKIP achieved just 52 votes or 3.6% of the poll, down almost 8% on the 11.3% achieved in last May’s election. The full result was:-

Conservatives 877
Labour 206
Lib-Dems 137
BNP 126
UKIP 52
Independent 21

Since then UKIP has shown they can at least beat the Labour Party, the full results for the by-election in Winchester ’s Wickham Ward being:-

Lib Dems 634
Conservatives 359
UKIP 40
Labour 15

It seems that in the 30-plus elections held since last May, the EU-funded, “anti-EU” party have only reached double figures, in percentage terms, on a couple of occasions and failed to beat the BNP anywhere. No wonder, UKIP members are telling me they are so disillusioned with what is happening to their party. The internal party wrangles continue to cause much unrest, (more of this to come), and with such abysmal election results I am surprised Nigel Farage has the gall to appear in public at all, but do not despair, we can rely on the media to puff them up – though I doubt there is any substance in the rumour that the list of has-beens to be approached as participants for the next series of “I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here” includes our Nigel, although it is alleged he has been using that phrase of late….!

Short and Sweet and a Teddy Called Mo

2007-11-29T16:39:00.001Z

A short and sweet offering today I am afraid, as the non-availability of a computer is beginning to prove a real problem. I have just written out my Christmas list and hopefully Santa will bring me a nice shiny new one… or perhaps he won’t!

I have several updates on previous blogs, the first and most important of which is to the story in my blog for Tuesday 27th November which advised of the story regarding the arrest of British teacher Gillian Gibbons for naming a teddy bear Mohammed (I think I spelt it Muhammad previously – which is correct?). Mrs Gibbons appeared in court in Khartoum today to face charges of inciting religious hatred. It is reported that 54 year old Mrs Gibbons looked tired and distressed but was not hand-cuffed and was escorted into the court by around 20 police officers. The prosecutor-general said Mrs Gibbons could expect a swift and fair trial under Sudanese law. The sentence, if found guilty, could be 6 months imprisonment, a fine and/or 40 lashes. The more extreme members of Islam were demanding her execution!Journalists were unable to enter the court, prevented from doing so by riot police, embassy officials nor her legal team were also initially prevented from entering although they were later allowed in. There has been international condemnation of the arrest and it remains to be seen as to what the outcome will be. It should be remembered thought that we are talking about a middle-aged female teacher being put on trial for naming a teddy bear Mohammed. Anyone want Islamic Law here?

Fortunately there are a couple of items I can add here that are less ridiculous although the first of these is none the less very interesting. My blog entry for Thursday 15th November mentioned the problems experienced with the selective reporting of the Wiltshire Gazette, the local weekly newspaper we see in Calne. It seems it is not only the BNP that suffer from this. At a meeting of Calne Town Council on Monday, concern was also expressed about this unbalanced reporting, if interested the minutes can be seen HERE – item 66.1 refers!

Finally on a more pleasant note, in my blog of Tuesday 16th October I mentioned what a wonderful village Lacock is. Some readers may already know, but if not, have a look at the splendid BBC series Cranford, based on the Elizabeth Gaskell novels, as Lacock is where it was filmed.

Threats To Democracy

2007-11-27T14:06:00.001Z

I had to check that it wasn't April Fools Day as I read the story of a British school teacher being arrested in Sudan accused of insulting those who follow Islam for allowing pupils to name a teddy bear Muhammad. Perhaps the bear should have been named Jesus and then the pathetic but very serious situation she now finds herself in could have been avoided. Gillian Gibbons apparently made an innocent mistake in letting her infant pupils name the bear. Why, it’s just a name and it’s just a bear, for Christ’s sake!

I am sure boxer, Muhammad Ali, is thanking the Lord that he never went to Sudan to box. He would never have left the country alive. As it is seen as an insult to attempt to make an image of the prophet, Ms Gibbons could be sent to prison for six months, suffer 40 lashes or be fined for charges under article 125 of their criminal law which covers insults against faith and religion. The school at which she taught is now closed until January for fear of reprisals. Of the 23 children in the class 20 chose the name Muhammad. I think this is what is called democracy.

Why do these people continue to go to Islamic countries knowing how intolerant they are and with this misguided vision of converting these people to our way of life? It’s not going to happen, we should leave the Muslims to live their own way of life in their own country and stop interfering.

Talking of democracy and free speech, it is interesting to see the type of people trying to prevent Nick Griffin from addressing students at Oxford last night.

Pictures I have seen, where faces weren’t covered, have been mainly of young students. Oh and the well-know TV celebrity cat, Respect politician and honorary Muslim, George Galloway was also present. It’s always been the student’s way to protest but I wonder how many of them live in the real world and how many are from privileged backgrounds with no real understanding of what the hard-working Brit has to put up with when faced with the pressures of modern life that result from the failed attempt at creating a multi-cultural utopia. I wonder how many of those protesting have actually looked at the BNP web-site or have even read any leaflets or BNP publications. Don’t you call people who make up their minds about something without any evidence “bigots”?

If anyone has heard Nick Griffin speak they would understand that he actually says nothing that could be considered offensive and is usually quite mild, in fact, when compared to what you can hear in pubs, clubs, in the street and even from those who consider the BNP racist and offensive. It seems that the so called anti-fascists cry for no platform for the BNP has failed. In the words of Simon Darby “No platform is no more”.

Goodbye Alan

2007-11-25T20:01:00.001Z

The centre of Calne was at it's busiest last night as thousands of people filled the Strand and surrounding streets for the annual lantern parade and pre-Christmas festivities. Children from local schools and community groups have spent recent weeks creating their lanterns in readiness for the parade which was led by Father Christmas closely followed by a coach and horses which could have been taken straight from a Dicken's novel. Bringing up the rear was the local samba band - where the local silver band playing traditional Christmas carols got to I don't know, perhaps we'll see them next year. Many stalls selling food and mulled wine lined the streets with and the shops stayed open late. I spent the evening with friends bumping into old friends and very much enjoying the community atmosphere which, seems these days to be a bit of a rarity. I even saw some police officers, one of whom advised me I should not be drinking alcohol on the streets, as there is a ban in force! I don't know whether it was just me he spoke to or whether he also spoke to the hundreds of other people drinking mulled wine but it was all in good humour. I met and chatted with many local councillors and learnt a few things about the forthcoming by-election, bought a hot dog from one councillor, (my Aunt actually and I still didn't get any discount), and was criticised by another for the amount of mustard on it.

Talking of family reminded me to mention the situation regarding driving licences for the over 70s. Recently a relative discovered that her driving licence had expired and on passing this information on discovered a friends also had, subsequently we discovered another relatives had also expired. It seems likely this is a common occurrence so if any readers know any drivers aged over 70, ask them to check their driving licence. Once a driver reaches 70 they need to renew their licence every 3 years. It seems that no reminders are sent out by our caring government which again shows they are either incompetent or just do not care if the over 70s have a valid driving licence or not. If the driver with no licence wanted to make an insurance claim I presume the insurance company would have every right to refuse. Might be worth a check!

I was also discussing today, the weeks appalling football match as mentioned in an earlier blog. One of the methods for improving footballing standards amongst our young, you might think would be through the football academies introduced in recent years. Apparently however, unless you live within 90 miles of one of these you are not eligible to sign up. As a consequence of this not all places are being filled so what is happening? Well, you might have guessed that these places are being filled with foreign players to the extent that British players at these academies are in the minority. If anyone thinks the standard of football amongst our own people is going to improve and we are going to win the next world cup then I suggest you think again. We are in a qualifying group with Croatia by the way, so it will at least be interesting.

Finally, yesterday morning saw the lying to rest of our friend and comrade Alan Lill. Despite the cold and remoteness of the crematorium there was a good turnout to see Alan off. With his coffin draped in a cross of St George flag and stirring patriotic music I can’t help feeling Alan would have been watching and feeling that he had had a good send off. The service itself was very emotional with a particularly moving tribute from Chris Deacon, with whom Alan had spent his last days and also one by Mike Howson, our Regional Organiser. Fittingly we ended by singing Jerusalem despite the emotion.

Goodbye Alan, rest assured we’ll keep the flag flying.

England Had A Good Football Team Once

2007-11-23T10:09:00.001Z

Apparently there was a football match on Wednesday…..

You may have heard….

If not, England played their last game in the qualifying group for the Euro 2008 football tournament and lost 3 goals to 2 to Croatia. As a result we failed to qualify for the finals next year and were third in a table of seven that included such reknowned footballing nations as Israel, FYR Macedonia, Estonia and Andorra and of course Croatia and Russia. England should have been top of this table and beaten all of these teams easily, but no, they failed to do so and have brought shame on our country and embarrassment for all of those that like to follow the national team. If the group had contained teams like France, Germany and Italy it might be excusable but I don’t even know where Macedonia or Estonia are and isn’t Andorra a county pretending to be a country?

The FA is looking very seriously at this situation and has already sacked Mr. McLaren the team coach. Will they actually do anything else or are they just blustering their way through a very difficult period to cover up the fact that they are as much to blame as anyone else for letting the situation get to this in the first place.

If they do not look seriously at the following suggestions and take some positive action then they also should be sacked:-

Point 1 – All footballers deemed good enough to play for England should be told they may only play for the pride of being selected for and representing England. Payment will be made on results – if they win they get a bonus.

Point 2 – The coach / manager of the England team should be English. It’s difficult to bring to mind anyone that is up to the job but there must be someone somewhere who is!

Point 3 – Limit the number of foreign players in English league football clubs, how can Chelsea or Arsenal, for example call themselves English teams if their English players are a small minority of the total squad?

Point 4 – The Government should pressurise the FA to bring back the Home International tournament. All British teams could then get some practice in! Would we, however, have to adjust the tournament to include Poland…?

Then once the Home Internationals were back in place, why stop there? Bring back the Royal Tournament and all other events that this Government have deemed no longer have a place in the modern Britain.

You never know, they may, with a bit of luck, bring back competitive sports in schools, national service and capital punishment. Now who would be brave enough…..?

Oh Ken, What Do You Look Like?

2007-11-20T15:28:00.001Z

It’s dismal in Calne, it’s pouring with rain, it’s dark and it’s cold. There isn’t a great deal in the news to cheer anyone up either.

What would the general public think if a VIP from an Asian or African country visiting this country donned an outfit in the belief that it was out of some misguided show of respect? An example perhaps could have been the wearing of a top hat and the carrying of a briefcase and a brolly by the Saudi king during his recent visit. I think the vast majority of us would find it at least mildly amusing, so why do VIPs from this country feel that they have to do this when on visits abroad? I can only assume Ken Livingstone is following in the steps of the Beatles. I suggest you look for yourselves here.

My blog on Wednesday 31st October discussed potential problems with the quantities of data now being stored on computers. Today I hear that confidential details of 15 million child benefit recipients contained on computer discs have been lost by HM Revenue and Customs, already prompting the resignation of chairman Paul Gray. The records contain names, addresses and bank account details so this is not a trivial affair. It will be interesting to hear what Alistair Darling says in his emergency Commons statement this afternoon. Will he resign, particularly as ministers have apparently known about this for over a week? If, as is possible, the data on the discs are used for identity fraud, the potential for making large amounts of money is apparent. Having yesterday made another emergency statement in the commons regarding the Northern Rock fiasco perhaps it’s time to bring back Gordon Brown, at least his eyebrows were the same colour as his hair….

The number of Polish people in this country, is, the Government keep telling us, not as many as we think. If that is the case, then why is an average of 13-14 Polish babies born here every day? With the NHS unable to maintain cleanliness in hospitals and 25% of children leaving primary schools unable to read or write then how on earth are we ever going to relieve the pressure on our schools, hospitals, and benefits system by burdening it with foreigners. The news most definitely undermines Government claims about the exact scale of East European migration, with official records indicating the number of Poles registered to live and work in Britain being 230,000, but with actual numbers estimated at up to a million.

I know who I believe has the only solution to the problems in this country but unfortunately there is massive opposition to that solution – see details of the mass demonstration of those not wishing to allow the BNP their right to free speech at their Blackpool Conference – blog entry for Sunday 18th November refers here!

BNP Annual Conference

2007-11-19T14:36:00.001Z

The British National Party Annual Conference took place in Blackpool over this last weekend, not that you would have known so if you had to rely on the mass media. Their gagging by the “powers that be” becomes more and more pathetic as they refuse to report anything about the party for fear of helping increase their popularity even further. Fortunately this seems to be having the opposite effect as membership is up and hits to the party web-site ensure the site is the most popular political website in the country.

Reports from the left-wing anti-BNP types suggest that the conference was a flop. To see what really happened have a look HERE. I was unable to attend for various reasons, so Calne was not represented, although Wiltshire was and I am looking forward to hearing all about it. The fact that the mass media didn’t report on the conference is simply irksome but does re-affirm the belief that we do not have a free press in this country. The conferences of the big three parties were reported, as you would expect, but I also saw reports regarding those of the Green Party, UKIP and Respect, the latter two of who’s conferences are likely to be their last. UKIP is struggling, an email I recently received from a UKIP insider said

“….. every UKIP meeting I have been to is stuffed with old duffers - they are simply not a credible party that is linked to the wider electorate. I have asked our local UKIP branch on a number of occasions to give up and join the BNP, but they refused. Instead, they left UKIP and are now a free-floating association who doesn't have a party to vote for. Most strange.….”.

Most strange indeed! Respect is even worse having squabbled amongst themselves and essentially split in two. The reason why the BNP are given no coverage is obvious to me in that, they are seen as a major threat to the comfy, stable political scene that this country has put up with for so long and there are many politicians who fear that this comfortable life they now experience is threatened. Too right, they have had it too easy for too long!

Whilst the BBC do not report on the BNP they are increasingly reporting on the injustices that occur in the Middle East . The last paragraph in my blog of Thursday 1st November showed my unhappiness with how this country had welcomed the Saudi king here and allowed him to lecture to us on terrorism, whilst we did not take the opportunity to lecture to him on his country’s human rights record. I wonder if the story on the BBC website on Friday would have made any difference to our cowardly politicians. The BBC reported that a Saudi woman was punished as a result of her violating laws on segregating of the sexes after she was gang-raped. Her lawyer was sentenced to 200 lashes and six months in jail as a result. As a result of her appeal her initial sentence of 90 lashes was doubled and her lawyer was suspended. Hard to believe isn’t it? See Saudi Rape if you doubt me. If that’s what Islamic Law is all about then any right-minded woman (and man, for that matter) must find it abhorrent and something we most certainly do not want in this land of ours.

Children In Need, Indeed!

2007-11-17T19:36:00.001Z

Here in Calne yesterday, I didn’t notice too much Children in Need activity although I am quite sure there was some. I think all of us feel the need to give a little to those less fortunate than ourselves and I am sure the majority of causes are very worthy in their own way. However, it came as something of a surprise to receive an email advising of certain alleged lucky recipients of funds contributed during the 2004 Children in Need event. I like to check my facts before I simply pass on information I receive so I contacted the Children in Need charity via their web-site to ask for details of those charities benefiting from the 2004 event. Being a charity you would think that they would be only to willing to respond with the information requested. However this is the response I received:-

Dear Robert,

Thank you for your e-mail. Unfortunately, this information is not currently in the public domain, and as such, unfortunately we are unable to provide you with the information. I am sorry if this comes as a disappointment to you, but the previous two years' grant details are available on our website, as previously stated.

Kind regards, Kate Database Information Assistant
BBC Children in Need Appeal

Very odd, I thought. If I had donated money I would like to know where it went, so I am a little suspicious as to why the information is not forthcoming. Consequently I forwarded the email to those responsible for administering the Freedom of Information Act. Apparently, according to their web-site, charities are largely exempt from the Act and therefore do not have to provide the information so we may never know. A formal response has not yet been received but when it is I will post it.

Anyway, here are a couple of the charities together with funds received, that were referred to in the email I received, whether or not they were those benefiting from the 2004 event remains to be seen.

Albanian Youth Action £41,040
Somali Teaching Group £5,670
Anjali Dance Company £5,800
Hounslow Asian & African Youth Association £15,300
Central African Youth in Enfield £4,680
Kurdish Children and Youth Centre £5,000
Greenwich Vietnam Community Youth Art Group £2,350
Oneg Shabbos Youth Club £6,200
Sudanese Children Centre £9,000
Afghan Youth Association £5,000

There were many more but I couldn’t be sure they were related to children hence possible doubts that I have that they were related to the Children in Need event. Nevertheless, I am sure they are all worthy causes but not causes that do anything to nurture this all-inclusiveness multi-cultural society we are so often told is a wonderful thing.

Now, I am happy to donate to charity if I know where my money is going and how it is going to be spent so when I am well off I will do my bit and contribute to a charity of my choice not someone elses.

I do find it a little hard to swallow, with all these well-publicised national charity events, which so many extremely rich celebrities spout off about the importance of digging deep and giving money. I work hard and am not well off so if I give any money to anyone it comes with a bit of pain. If these celebrities feel as strongly as they seem to do then would it give them much pain by donating money? When you hear multi-millionaires asking for my money I am sure that I would be more inclined to give if I knew they had given a substantial sum themselves. After all, when you earn millions, the odd million wouldn’t be missed surely. So, message to all the people that have made it big as a result of the public buying their records, watching their films and supporting their sports - prove you really do care and donate just one months earnings and let’s see what a difference that makes, just to disprove the fact that, perish the thought, you are really involved for your own publicity.

Reporting Standards of the Wiltshire Gazette

2007-11-15T09:21:00.001Z

It seems the Wiltshire Gazette have already lost out on a new subscriber! I suggested in my blog on 13th November, that if they reported fairly on the Calne Town Council Lickhill Ward by-election due to take place on Thursday 31st January, I would take out a subscription.

With their past track record I shouldn’t have expected anything different than the contents of the column headed “BNP will fight for town seat” in today’s edition. I suppose that’s why their reporters work for them and not the Daily Mail or Telegraph.

Although the quotes are attributed to me it is worth noting the context in which they were made rather than taking them out of context for effect. If anyone doubts what I am saying then ask me for the recording of the conversation I had with reporter Lucy Buckland.

Point 1 - “BNP has vowed to fight for town seat”. I said that all elections we are aware of are considered as possibilities for contending. Until nominations are in and verified on the 4th January nothing is certain.

Point 2 – “Robert Baggs ran in last election and lost”. Usual NUJ spin on this as to be expected and ok, yes, I did receive the least number of votes but see HERE for what really happened.

Point 3 – “Calne has had some problems in the past with a lot of problem families being placed in a certain area. Calne is dumping ground for problem families”. I was asked what I would concentrate on if I was campaigning. Law and order is one issue I mentioned which wasn’t reported on but locals will see our leaflets and know where we stand on this. I also mentioned that Calne has grown rapidly in the last few years and I would like to see the provision of an adequate infrastructure to support this growth. Calne is known for having problem areas and I said it would be helpful if the appropriate level of support was available for those with problems.

Point 4 – “Rumoured to be in the running are Peter Dolman Liberal Democrat and UKIP supporter Ellie Bland”. I have heard this also, I thought incidentally you had to be a party member not a supporter. I have also heard that there is likely to be a Conservative candidate together with a possible Labour and Green candidate, the latter being represented by a local celebrity known as “The Mad Hatter”. If both Labour and the Green stand then the BNP would have no worries about coming last this time having beaten them in the past in Calne!

Talking about mis-information it has been brought to my attention that apparently I was the one who arranged for the election to be called! I have been reliably informed by 2 independent people that John Ireland, the local UKIP organiser, announced that it was me. Sorry folks, not guilty. I think that it is likely that John himself arranged for the election to be called but was loathe to admit as much due to the fact that the seat became vacant in the first place as a result of the UKIP councillor who held it being unable to stay the course.

Whatever happens from here on I hope everyone remembers that the purpose of this by-election is to elect a councillor who will do his best for the people of Calne.

Calne's Lull Before Its Storm

2007-11-14T14:15:00.002Z

All is quiet in Calne today as regards the Lickhill Ward by-election due in the New Year. I am sure it is just the lull before the storm however I am sure things are going to get a lot more interesting.

On the national political scene there is always something of interest happening. I don’t know how this country would survive without the leadership of Gordon Brown. The Prime Minster has warned that Britain could be hit by terrorist attacks anywhere from any place. Perhaps his parents should have called him Sherlock instead of Gordon. Sherlock was speaking in advance of two major security reviews which, as far as I understand, highlight what must be done to protect the public from possible attacks in crowded locations. Short of banning gatherings of more than half a dozen people I am not sure what proposals are likely to come out of the report. I think that physical protection, similar to the bollards and concrete blocks placed around entrances to busy places may be on the cards but these don’t actually stop suicide bombers. One of the reports, I understand, will give more details of the new uniformed border patrols that will unite the Home Office Border and immigration Agency, Customs and the UK Visas overseas operation. Excellent idea, perhaps this force will be manned by unvetted security personnel and everyone will feel so much safer.

Sherlock also cited the July 7th London bomb attacks where the terrorists, I seem to recall they were Muslim (see yesterday’s blog), did so much damage here and suggested the battle we will have to fight we will be street by street, community by community and year by year. This sounds more like a serious civil uprising than the occasional terrorist attack. What is he saying? Again, if there are serious disturbances I am sure we will rest easy in our beds knowing he is in charge and those that are charged with our protection are equipped in the same way our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq are, or perhaps he will just employ more powerless PCSO’s to maintain order.

Talking of the “nearly” police, I was not totally surprised to hear that there were almost 29,000 complaints made about the “real” police to the Independent Police Complaints Commission in England and Wales last year. This compares to 15,800 in the year prior to it being set up. 29,000 per year equates to just over 79 per day or 1 every 20 minutes! Of these only 1 in 10 of the complaints that was investigated was upheld. The most common complaint was categorised as “neglect or failure in duty”, accounting for 24% of the total closely followed by “incivility, impoliteness or intolerance” at 21%. I know that your average bobby is conscientious and very keen to do the job signed up for but is constantly being hampered by the politically correct leadership they have to work under. These figures indicate to me that they are becoming increasingly frustrated by having their hands tied by the rules and regulations that they have to deal with and are unable to fulfil their traditional role of walking the beat and maintaining law and order. Having to deal with those that have no respect for authority, together with the failure of the judges to sentence criminals appropriately must also be a great demoraliser. For proof of this look at one of the many blogs written anonymously by disgruntled police officers, an example is HERE.

Anyway that’s me done for today, evenin’ all!

Democracy Is Served

2007-11-13T16:12:00.001Z

Well it looks like democracy has been served and the electorate in the Lickhill Ward of Calne will get their say on who replaces the Calne Town Council seat left vacant by the resignation of UKIP councillor Jill Martin. The time isn’t a good one for elections as we have Christmas to cope with and unless our wonderful government decide to ban it in the next couple of weeks for fear it may offend someone, most people will be pre-occupied with that rather than local politics. Nevertheless, an election is going ahead on Thursday 31st January 2008. The announcement has been made in good time to meet publication deadlines for the local rag, The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald, so there may well be some comment about the election within its pages, as a by-election tends to attract a disproportionate amount of attention when compared with standard election coverage. Let’s hope that they retain impartiality and do not do what many papers do in picking their own particular favourites and reporting adversely on those not favoured. If they do report fairly I might even take out a subscription!

I am particularly looking forward to discovering which candidates will come forward, as when a by-election is rumoured to be likely, local politicians become rather coy suggesting they are not interested. Nominations aren’t due until Friday 4th January so there is plenty of time for things to develop. I can see I will have ample comment for my blogs as a result of this, certainly up to the middle of February anyway.

Having watched highlights of the National Service of Remembrance on BBC2 on Sunday evening I noticed that representatives from all religious denominations were present including a man who looked very much like Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari, head of the Muslim Council of Britain. It may not have been him and I sincerely hope it wasn’t. It was Dr Bari who made comments on Saturday, likening Britain to Nazi Germany because of the way in which Muslims are being treated. Why Dr Bari chose to make these comments on the day before Remembrance Sunday is beyond me and he inevitably upset many war widows and veterans who fought the Nazis so this country could be free to allow the likes of Dr Bari to speak freely. It seems to me that Dr Bari’s grasp of history is somewhat confused and that he is seemingly wishing to cloud the issues regarding Muslims here. Yes, the Nazi’s did poison their society resulting in the hatred and totally obscene treatment subsequently received by the Jewish community but I don’t seem to recall the Jews took part in many terrorist atrocities that could have been used by the Nazi’s as an excuse for this treatment. I would like to be corrected if I am wrong, but since the demise of the IRA, haven’t pretty much all terrorist acts in the past few years been perpetrated by Muslims? Perhaps Dr Bari would be happier if we censored the news so that such activities were not reported. Dr Bari would be better engaged in preaching to his own community about the evils of terrorism rather than to us about how we report on the activities of Muslims. If Dr Bari feels persecuted then there is nothing stopping him travelling to a country like Pakistan where Islam is the main religion and the press are free to report about the benefits of Islam, oh, sorry I just remembered the press aren't free at the moment. I think he ought to remember that he is able to live here because Nazism was defeated, if he doesn’t like it he should leave.

Incidentally, if Dr Bari is head of the Muslim Council of Britain, who is the head of the Christian Council of Pakistan……?

We Want A By-election In Calne - I'm Told

2007-11-12T15:33:00.001Z

Why is it that the older you get the faster time seems to pass? Is there a cure? Perhaps it’s just something that happens to Calne folk. It’s also quite sad that you wish your working week away but wish the weekend to last forever.

This weekend started with lots of phone calls regarding the situation in the potential by-election in Lickhill Ward, Calne. It seems several people are very keen for there to be an election and are sounding out the opposition. You can never be quite sure about the motives of those wishing to stand but I know that as a Calne man, my aim, irrespective of party politics has always been to do my best for the people of Calne. I like Calne and it has been my home for 35 of my 47 years. I went away aged 24 and came back aged 36 and for the 12 years I was away I always knew that I would return. Despite its problems Calne isn’t that bad a place to live, it could be better, but, having experienced life in other communities, I know it could be a great deal worse!

So, come midnight tonight we will know if the required 10 letters have been received to request a by-election and then presumably the gloves will be off. Whatever happens I would like to think that the contest will be a fair one and there will be no disruptive external influence that I have experienced in previous years. It is up to Calne people to decide what is best for them not these quasi-politicians from elsewhere.

Saturday was interesting, my girlfriend and I went down to the coast for the day and ended up in Mudeford. If you’ve never been it’s a splendid little seaside place not far from Bournemouth and despite it’s name isn’t actually muddy. The weather was pleasant, cold and sunny but at least it was dry and it helped that there weren’t too many people about. A highlight of my day at least, (although my girlfriend wasn’t that impressed), was that in the Haven Café on the seafront whilst drinking tea I noticed a familiar face. I’m sure we’ve all done it, seen someone we are sure is a celebrity, but never quite had the certainty to approach them in case it isn’t who you think it might be and you end up looking a plank. Fortunately there was no chance of me looking a plank, no, honest…. as I wouldn’t have intruded on the man’s privacy, but on the table opposite was none other than Ron Harris. No, not the Australian painter with a didgeridoo, but the ex-Chelsea footballer from the sixties and seventies who most males of my generation would be familiar with. I wasn’t a great football fan but I did know a lot of the players then. I suppose it was because, in those days, all of the players that played in Britain were actually British and had pronounceable names. I even googled “Ron Harris” on my mobile phone to check and yes, Chopper (as he was affectionately known, for some reason) Harris it was as I checked him against the photo on my phone. Apparently he has published an auto-biography that has a picture on the cover that left me in no doubt it was he. What with fresh cockles from the seafood stall and fish and chips a bit later on, a splendidly old-fashioned day out was quite perfect.

Talking of footballers, our local vicar, related to the sport in his Sunday sermon at the Remembrance service yesterday. He spoke about the tragic loss of life and of certain qualities that all individuals could have contributed to society, caused by armed conflicts in the past and that sadly continue today. It certainly provoked thoughts of what our society would have been like today should there not have been the wars that we are all too familiar with. Despite the rain there seemed to be more people present at the service and at the wreath–laying than in previous years. This seemed to be borne out by a comment made on the BBCs coverage of the national service of remembrance, that there were more veterans present for the march-past this year than there have been for several years despite nature reducing the numbers from World War II. Let’s hope this continues so that for once a year this country can be united for one cause at least.

To Blog Or Not To Blog?

2007-11-09T12:59:00.001Z

I have been wondering if blogs are useful or not. I try to update my blog as often as possible but no more than once a day. Even this is a problem until I save up enough pennies to get a new PC, as imposing on friends to use theirs becomes a bit of a pain the longer it goes on. Perhaps Santa will favour me this year with a shiny new one!

Back to the original question, however. To set aside an hour a day to write up a blog is not a great burden and with the correct amount of discipline any of us could find the time to do it. I have mixed feelings about them in as much as they can provide a useful insight into a bloggers thoughts and activities and potentially inspire others to think more about events that occur in their lives. By highlighting issues that people were previously unaware of or didn’t think of in the same way may provoke discussion and debate and stir some to become actively involved with various issues. It seems likely that the more high profile an individual is the greater the potential impact his or her blog may have and can therefore be a very powerful tool indeed. This can be offset however by the fact that the number of “keyboard activists” are many and often very vocal and I wonder what the outcome would be if they spent as much time being physically active as they do on the keyboard.

The other point is that a blogger may not be aware whether his audience is large or small. There seems little point in spending the time blogging if the only person reading the blog is the blogger. With my blog I do have an analytical package that tells me how many viewers I have and roughly where they are from, amongst other things. It is quite encouraging that the number of viewers is steadily increasing but also interesting discovering the approximate whereabouts of the viewer. Obviously the majority of my readership is in the UK but I am very pleased to note that I have readers in the USA, France, Germany, Portugal, Denmark, Canada, Hong Kong, Algeria and Kuwait, although the latter two do give me some cause for concern!

Additionally there is also the concern about whether or not a blogger will find something fresh and interesting to write about on a regular basis, the last thing we want is to suffer from “bloggers block”. However, as this country continues to slide down the slippery slope to oblivion then there should always be something to write about. Whilst there are still those of us who feel as strongly as we do about the changes that are being imposed upon us, we will continue to blog in the hope that others will join us in this struggle we have to try our best to prevent this country from ending up in a position that is beyond help.

I am fortunate as I have done and continue to do my bit here, others are not so fortunate or inclined but so long as I have the opportunity to contribute to saving what I hold dear I will continue to do so. I know that when I am too old and frail to do anything about the situation I will at least be able to look back and feel that I have done my bit. I hope those reading this who feel similarly to me will be able to do the same.

I was going to end here but I think it well worth noting for those locals who read this, that local MP James Gray is in the wars again as disgruntled members of the North Wiltshire Conservative Association have organised a special meeting on Monday, November 19, to again debate the MP's future. More on this over the next few weeks.