Published in Herald Express Saturday 15th January 2001
It was not very long ago when a certain young Tory leadership contender declared if he ever became Prime Minister, he would deliver the "greenest government ever". How hollow those promises ring now, as David Cameron and his 'millionaires row' cabinet prepares to sell  Haldon and other forests across the country. The fact is this sell off of more large sections of our diminishing green and pleasant land could see developers moving in, with wildlife deprived of its habitat as well as future generations denied the pleasures of our forests can bring.

The Government line will probably be that  even if a major developer buys a forest, it would still require planning permission to cut down trees and use the land for other purposes. However this is a cunning Government, for Eric Pickles, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, has already announced plans to make it "much easier" to obtain planning permission. This is something many of us beleived had more to do with getting permission for a loft conversion rather than mass logging and development of our forests - yet the latter is likely to be the real incentive for introducing such legislation.

What we are witnessing is a Government that would sell off anything in the true spirit of Thatcherism. In the case of our forests,  Cameron is selling  the green lungs of our country, rather than persuing his super rich tax evading friends and supporters or denying bankers massive bonusses. What's next in the Government clearance sale, our National Parks on a 'buy one get one free' offer. Or perhaps peruading local authorities to sell parks, playgrounds allotments and open spaces to raise capital.  Nothing would surprise me.

In other areas the Government are also no friend of the environment, opening up our coasts  to the deep-sea drilling that caused an environmental catastrophe in the Gulf of Mexico. Its is clear the only thing green they really care about is the colour of money.

Rick Heyse
Prospective English Radical Alliance candidate for Roundham with Hyde.
Collingwood Road
Paignton
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Published in Herald Express - Saturday 18th December 2010
I believe many centuries ago, the ancient Druids sacrificed people in a bid to secure a bountiful harvest. I also believed the days of human sacrifice were long confined to the history books in this country. However, I fear with the proposed cuts to our coastguard service and cuts and privatisation of our helicopter search and rescue fleet, sacrifices may once again be witnessed. The only difference being these sacrifices will be made to save money and help maximise profits for the French-U.S consortium set to run our search and rescue fleet.

Here in the south west we have a massive coastline. How can this coastline be patrolled and adequate search and rescue cover be provided with these cutbacks? It is practically impossible. Hundreds, possibly thousands of lives over the coming years will be put at risk as a direct result of this action. Sailors, fishermen, swimmers, walkers, climbers, in fact anyone that uses the sea or enjoys our coastline will be put at risk.

I wonder whether the same over prudent action would be adopted if the Americans or NATO wanted our troops for a conflict in Iran or North Korea? I expect there is a large number of M.P's in this coalition Government that not only support the drastic cutbacks to our coastguard and helicopter rescue services, but would probably jump at the chance of joining the U.S or NATO military campaign in these far off lands. They would quickly find ways of funding such a venture, yet when it comes down to protecting the lives of those  in peril at sea or on our coastline they prefer to cut costs and privatise. What we have is a government that can find funds for international obligations, but is not so generous in providing revenue for necessary emergency cover at home.

The English Radical Alliance is committed first and foremost to protecting the people of this country, and we condemn the parasitic politics of privatising essential emergency services. We believe the action of the Con-Dem coalition demonstrates their hypocrisy. They claim our forces are in Afghanistan to help protect our country and make it a safer world, whilst at the same time they are reducing emergency services at home making it less safe to use our seas and coastline.

Lives are going to be put in danger and no doubt some will be lost as a result of these cutbacks. However I suppose these sacrifices will help swell the coffers of French-U.S managed privatised search and rescue service and the savings made contribute towards the cost of first class rail travel for our M.P's between their constituency and Westminster. This it seems is where many of their priorities lie.

Rick Heyse
English Radical Alliance (South Devon)
Collingwood Road
Paignton
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To Herald Express Saturday 18th September

The proposals to close two of Torbay’s highly valued and much needed care centres is yet another example of how the human rights of our elderly are being eroded in this country today. 

Far from being treated with respect and dignity by the powers that be, our elderly and most vulnerable are almost regarded as a burden, with some herded from care home to care home as one by one they are closed down. Even within some of the care homes and sheltered accommodation schemes, resident wardens are being scrapped, thus further increasing the risk to the most vulnerable. This is nothing less than governmental neglect by the political elite who seem to think a duck house or a clean moat within their grounds is more important than a care home. 

We constantly hear the words ‘care in the community’, and are led to believe there is no reduction in the level of service when this is implemented. We are even told in some circumstances that ‘care in the community is better’. In reality ‘care in the community’ does not exist. How can evicting someone from a secure, safe and friendly environment in which they planned to spend the final years, into what is increasingly becoming a hostile, uncaring environment be better? How can replacing wardens which live on the premises with ones that live miles away not have a detrimental effect on the level of care? It’s impossible for this to be better for the majority of our elderly and vulnerable, whose wishes are not even taken into consideration. The only people it is better for are those trying to save money on services, who no doubt make these decisions whilst sitting in plush furnished offices.

In the end what it boils down to is cost. For the governments of today feel it is better to fight to free the people of Baghdad and Kabul than to give our old folk the security and peace of mind they deserve in their final years. Unfortunately, with the proposed cuts the Con-Dem coalition plans to implement things are going to get a lot worse. We in the English Radical Alliance plan to oppose such cutbacks and campaign for the human rights our elderly and most vulnerable thoroughly deserve. Basic human rights which are currently being ignored.

Rick Heyse
English Radical Alliance (South Devon)
Collingwood Road, Paignton
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To Western Morning News 24-08-2010

Figures recently released show that one in ten companies are set to hire migrant workers over the next twelve months. Research carried out by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and the accountants KPMG, claims that businesses are forced to employ overseas labour because of a skills shortage amongst England’s workforce. Skills apparently lacking are those involved in engineering, IT, accountancy and finance. This makes a mockery of David Cameron’s ‘tough on immigration’ stance prior to the General Election.

Though I strongly suspect some of the companies questioned wish to employ cheap migrant labour for purely financial reasons, it is worrying to think that others are reliant on overseas workers. So where have we gone wrong as a nation that spawned the industrial revolution and gave birth to the finest inventors and craftsmen the world has ever seen? When did we as one of the most densely populated countries on the planet stop producing people suitable for employment? 

Much of the blame must rest with our education system, the priority of which seems no longer aimed at producing the best candidates for today’s working world. Instead there is a magnificent array of full time educational courses available which are attractive but not entirely relevant in terms of employment. We also have to look at how further education has deprived many families in England from sending their sons and daughters to university.

The English Radical Alliance believes education should be affordable and serve two purposes, the first being to help produce ideal citizens and the second to supply skills to people relevant for the working world. Successive governments seem to have failed on both accounts. In failing to solve the skills shortage, our governments have also created another problem, a lack of places available at universities. By concentrating on vocational related courses more places would be available to our students, and we would have a better educated, more skilful workforce from this country for employers to choose from.

Rick Heyse (Policy Director)
English Radical Alliance
P.O Box 291
Runcorn WA7 9AT

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SAVE OUR SHOPS 09/13/2010
 
To Herald Express 22-08-2010

I fully agree with the sentiments of V. Aggett (HE, August 21st) and that we need to do something to save our local independent shops.  As V. Aggett rightly states, the loss of Paignton’s Central Fruit Stores does represent another nail in the coffin of the small retailer and of our town centre. Already Paignton has a retail graveyard in the shape of the almost empty Crossways Shopping Centre. Unfortunately this trend is repeated in other towns across the country. Many might refer to these closures as ‘A sign of the times’. But do we really have to accept this? Or should we do something about it?

A great number of shops and small businesses are forced to close due to high business rates and unfair competition. The blame for this rests in the hands of local council’s and town planners. They introduce the high business rates or allow competition to such a level it drives some traders into bankruptcy.  In addition to this they price people out of coming to town centres with parking meters and restrictions. Other businesses are forced to close because of lack of support and because the banks (who are now in profit thanks to being propped up with taxpayers money) pull the financial rug from beneath them. Surely this is not a logical way to obtain a vibrant town centre or local economy.

Banks must support small businesses and not cripple them. Local council’s should offer affordable business rates and not introduce ‘dog eat dog’ competition between shops forcing many to close. Finally we need to encourage people to our town centres and not place financial obstacles in their way such as parking meters. These measures would help keep businesses open and attract people to our towns.

The English Radical Alliance is launching a national campaign to impose such policies, (details of which can be found in the campaigns section of our website at www.englishradicals.com). We wish to create the conditions which will allow our small businesses and independent retailers to survive. There has to be change, radical change, or our town centres will simply become retail cemeteries.

As V. Aggett rightly says, there is a place for supermarkets but there is also a place for independent traders to keep the hearts beating of our town centres and our villages. For too long we have followed one route and now is the time to make a U-turn before it is too late.

Rick Heyse
English Radical Alliance (South Devon)
Collingwood Road
Paignton

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TAXATION 09/13/2010
 
To The Independent 17-08-2010

For all their talk of political reform and localism I wonder if the ConDemned government will have the courage to give local government real power to serve its communities by ending the current centralised method of gathering income tax in favour of a local system. By organising the decentralisation of Revenue and Customs and giving control over THEIR citizens taxes to the localities we would see real local democracy in action. Perhaps then, instead of going cap in hand to central government for money to build tramways or schools, local councils would have the revenue base to support borrowing to fund such projects themselves (if their electors so decide). So go on Mr Osborne, I dare you to be truly radical in your cuts to public services and abolish all government ministries (except Defence and Foreign Office) and hand the power AND the money to local government.  

David Owens
National Organiser, English Radical Alliance
Port Sunlight
Wirral

 

 

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To the Daily Telegraph 17-08-2010

When will the English people wake up to the fact that if we liberated ourselves from Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland AND the EU, not only would we be able to do away with the proposed savage cuts to the English public services, but we would also be free to protect English firms from hostile takeovers (Kraft) and halt the imminent mass immigration from places such as Bulgaria and Rumania (and Turkey if Cameron gets his way). English independence is the logical conclusion of the current devolution mess and the definite solution to the West Lothian question.

David Owens
National Organiser, English Radical Alliance
Port Sunlight
Wirral

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To The Guardian 17-08-2010

Penalising the weak in order to appease the bankers is the credo of Conservatives and the basis for the capitalist system under which we live. Ever since the onset of the industrialisation of society the poor have been blamed for their own condition; doing this justifies the mega-riches of the few. The fact that in our modern world it is still justifiable to make people poorer in order to maximise the profits of the wealthy is a stain our our humanity and a case for a drastic change in our political and financial system.

David Owens
National Organiser, English Radical Alliance
Wirral
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(Runcorn & Widnes World 12th August)
In reply to Trevor Higginson (Is this the end of democracy?) – it does not surprise the English Radical Alliance that Widnes’ Labour-dominated Halton Council acts in an unaccountable way. The recently ousted Labour Government used to operate in exactly the same manner.

The people of Runcorn are governed by people whose support and power base is in Widnes – this is obvious when you see the run-down state of Runcorn old town, in comparison to the shiny new shopping facilities on the Widnes side.

The majority of people who voted in Widnes support Labour, and that is their right: but the majority of Runcorn voters did not.

The Mersey marks a natural political boundary and we feel the Runcorn ‘sparrow’ would get better fed at mealtimes, if the Labour ‘cuckoo’ would leave the Halton nest.

Les Taylor
English Radical Alliance (Halton Constituency)
Runcorn
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(Runcorn & Widnes World 22nd July)
 In reply to Les Ford's letter in the recent Runcorn & Widnes World, regarding Halton Council's decision not to oppose the proposed wind farm on Frodsham and Helsby marshes: this is the same Halton council that did not even oppose the planning of an incinerator at Weston Point!

Halton council has a huge Labour majority, with the power base being in Widnes. Halton's Labour MP is Widnesian. Labour are more interested in getting good stuff for Widnes, where their support is, than blocking unwanted incinerators and wind farms on the Runcorn side. It's about time the Boundary Commission looked at “Halton” – Liverpool and Birkenhead are not one constituency, so why on Earth are Runcorn and Widnes?

Les Taylor,
English Radical Alliance (Halton Constituency)
Runcorn
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