English parliament will see home-grown despots flourish

common sense remains in short supply generally in this green and pleasant land, but I feel compelled to applaud the Editorial (Yorkshire Post, March 31) for expressing sensible, balanced and wise judgment with regard to recent events.

Our political leaders and masters would benefit tremendously if they decided to pay careful attention to the voice of reason. Political point-scoring (from pasties to petrol) during difficult times is completely unacceptable, immature and has, frankly, become monotonous as well as predictable.

Interestingly and coincidentally two letter writers called for independence for the people of England (Yorkshire Post, March 30). Two years ago (Yorkshire Post, April 20, 2010) I wrote about the Campaign for an English Parliament, a single issue campaign group which believes that England should have its own parliament to speak up for the people of England and legislate upon purely English issues.

I am still a member and supporter of this particular campaign, but during the past couple of years I have had time to think about the practicalities and realities of such a parliament being established.

As St George’s Day approaches there are, no doubt, other readers who would like to witness a return to the traditional values and virtues of Englishness.

However, I experience feelings of confusion at present as to what modern-day Englishness actually is. Contemporary Englishness appears to tolerate greed, selfishness and the inhibition of self-expression. In fact, these characteristics have now become commonplace. honestly do not believe that representation of this form of Englishness is worth wasting time and effort fighting for because these behavioural characteristics are making many ordinary people feel extremely unhappy, misunderstood and ignored.

I had first-hand experience of witnessing MPs deliberately ignoring and dismissing lobbyists with the wave of a hand some months ago in London. Sadly, however, the overt reluctance to listen to the opinions of ordinary people remains as applicable today as it was two years ago when I wrote about our green pastures nurturing self-seeking, ambitious political seeds which have sometimes matured into verdures of greed and arrogance.

The logical conclusion I have drawn, therefore, is that if an English Parliament was actually created, and this is highly unlikely and unfeasible at this particular moment in time, it would merely provide yet another environment for certain home-grown despotic crops to flourish and it would not necessarily be beneficial to the people of England.

In reality, we have sufficient buildings and political representatives to act for the benefit of the people of England. What we lack in England, however, is a positive sense of direction, balance during difficult situations and pride in our traditions and identity. In short, we have lost the soul and spirit of Merry England.

From: Allan Davies, Heathfield Court, Grimsby.

David Quarrie’s letter (Yorkshire Post, March 30) is deeply disturbing.

“One folk, one country, one Parliament, one leader” is far too close to “Ein Volk, Ein Reich, Ein Fuhrer” for comfort.

May I ask him to pause, and reflect?