I've just received an email from Ian Davie of the English Democrat Party. Apparently magistrates have turned down a pub landlords application for a late licence to celebrate St Georges Day because it's not an important day for the English. Not many places had a problem getting one for St Patricks Day though.
OTTER PUBS LICENCE BATTLE CONTINUES FOR JUSTICE FOR ST GEORGE
Dear members &supporters
There was excellent support outside Norwich Magistrates Court yesterday for Tony Bennett, the Otter pub landlord who returned to Court to hear whether or not he was going to be granted his licence extension for St George's Day, and to hear whether the Magistrate, Roy Church was going to accept the 23rd of April as a 'special day' now that Tony had received thousands of letters from the public, both from people here and world wide - well done all.
There were lots of news reporters present, both National, local and a TV crew from Anglia TV. Supporters brought their English flags and they looked grand flying in the breeze, banners were displayed saying what we all felt too. There was a good, friendly group of bonded of St George supporters there, some had taken the trouble to travel from Nottingham, Lincolnshire and Essex as well as us locals - a great big thanks to you guys for that support.
But, despite our enthusiasm and the support outside, inside the answer was NO!
Tony was denied the extension yet again and in fact deceived as last time he was ASKED to go away and collect evidence that St George's Day was a special day to the English and despite doing so and receiving so many letters of support, also support from the media, especially the Daily Star whose paper today will have articles on this story, he was told he wasn't allowed to sell alcohol beyond 11pm unless it was to support a charitable event.
Tony gave a small speech and said he would carry on this case against the English and that he had been misled in Court last time. He said he could afford not lose his company's profits either by holding charitable events and that he should be allowed his extension solely in the name of celebrating St George's Day!
On Friday, a petition is to be handed in to Downing St in support of St George's day being made a National days holiday, please come and support outside the gates in red and white - as much as possible with flags and show you care too.
Keep supporting and writing to your MP's regarding this outrage and demand we English
have the right in our own country to celebrate our National day just as other people from all other ethnic cultures are entitled and encouraged to do. We owe that to our children and their futures, they have a right to learn and know their backgrounds and understand their history. Many sacrificed for us to have freedom to speak out, we must strive on to keep that freedom and democracy for St George.
I wish you all a very happy St George's Day for saturday and thanks once again for
all your emails and support wishing me well too.
Best wishes
Julia Howman
Chairman,
Norfolk Branch
The English Democrats website can be found at http://www.englishdemocrats.org.uk/
This story is also covered on their website - http://englishdemocrats.org.uk/otter.php
Ever heard of the English Democrats? No? Neither had I until I noticed an obscure link on the Campaign for an English Parliament website. They do have a representative in Telford according to their website. I emailed him a while ago and was rather disappointed not to get a reply as they're the only English political party I know of. Much to my surprise I got an email from their local representative saying that they have been having email problems which may have resulted in me not getting his reply which he had forwarded on to me ...
Dear Stuart,
I have been having problems with my e-mail so it is possible that you never
recieved my response last month to your query, if you did then i apologise
in advance for sending it again.
Hello Stuart,
As County Chairman I was hoping to stand as a candidate but unfortunately
after an accident I find myself unable to do so at this time.
As it looks very unlikely that I will be in a position to stand this time
round, my main aim for the future is to build the Party membership and to
make a lot more of the public aware that we exist.
If we can achieve this then hopefully we will be able to field several
candidates in local elections.
If you would like more information on the EDP or wish to join us please
don't hesitate in contacting me again
Kind regards
Ian
It's a shame the EDP don't have a higher public profile because it would be nice to see an English party representing England.