Friday, September 23, 2005

More newspaper articles from Shropshire CEP

Edward Higginbottom, co-ordinator for Shropshire CEP, has had three articles published in local newspapers - the Shropshire Star, the Shrewsbury Chronicle and the Whitchurch Herald. I don't have a copy of the Whitchurch Herald article yet but the other two are below.

This was the article in the Shropshire Star:
Campaign branch on devolution
I would be extremely grateful if you would allow me to inform your readers that Shropshire now has its own local branch of the Campaign for an English Parliament (CEP).

CEP aims to put the issue of real devolution for England on to the political agenda.

The Westminster parliament is the parliament for the UK, representing all four constituent nations together. However, Scotland has its own parliament, Wales and Northern Ireland their own assemblies. England has been left out and therefore there is no-one to speak for England.

Last year, the UK Government spent £1,300 per per-son more on the people living in Scotland than they did on the people in England. This is, in fact, money taken from the English tax-payer and given to other areas of the UK, meaning that England suffers an annual loss approaching £15 billion a year.

We think things should be a lot fairer. An English parliament would stand up for England and a fairer deal.

We believe that the people of England would say "yes" to the idea of a devolved, national parliament for England. Join us today and make a difference.

Edward Higginbottom
Hanwood
Shrewsbury
This one was in the Shrewsbury Chronicle:

SHREWSBURY could become a major frontrunner in the push for devolved government in England - thanks to the creation of a new campaigners' branch in the town.

Edward Higginbottom, who is a member of the Campaign for an English Parliament (CEP), has formed a branch at his home in Hanwood to represent the rights and views of people across the county.

The CEP argue that while other home nations have been given freedom to manage their own affairs by the Govern­ment; England has missed out, and Mr Higginbottom said he was determined to stand up for Shropshire taxpayers.

"Last year the UK Government spent £1,300 per person more on the people living in Scotland than they did on peo­ple in England," he said. This is in fact money taken from the English taxpayer so you can see how people in a town like Shrewsbury are getting far less than their counter-parts in a similar town in Scotland – it's just not fair."

Mr Higginbottom said the creation of a national parlia­ment for England would mean residents would receive better health and education services because of extra money available.

There are currently ten to 15 CEP branches around the country, but more interest is needed from people in this area: "We need people to join us and help write letters to their MP, newspapers and generally put the campaign in the spotlight," said Mr Higginbottom.

“It is difficult to get people to know about us but when I speak to people in the street most say they want a devolved, national parliament for this country, so there is plenty of interest."

For details about the CEP or to join the Shropshire branch, call Edward Higgin­bottom on 01743 860140.