Mark Lancaster, English Democrats, Winchester

Name: Mark Lancaster

Candidate for: Winchester

Party: English Democrats

Votes: 503

Profile:

"...Over the years, no matter what their origins may be, the English voters and taxpayers have had their democratic rights removed by stealth by all parties.

Under devolution there was no English parliament. The other home countries have their own parliaments and assemblies to put their needs first. The English are left to trust the British parliament.

This trust has been betrayed. Tuition fees for students from England and foundation hospitals were imposed on the English because Scottish and Welsh MPs voted with the government. This was despite the fact that their own parliaments had rejected such measures. Was this an abuse of the democratic process? Who objected on behalf of the English? No one!

In the other home nations public services are better funded. The Scots have free prescriptions and free care for the elderly. Do they do this with their own money?

No! The Barnett Formula ensures that English taxpayer's money will sustain their services. Over £45 billion of your money in 2009! The other parliaments have already decided that their public services will not be cut this year. Instead all the cuts will fall on English services and English workers. Is this fair? Who will stand up for the English?

Immigration; we view this as a question of space not race. Our nation is already the third most crowded in the world. Have we got the space and resources for more people? Is the current rate of increase sustainable? Have we the space and resources for 70 million people? We like the majority of people think not.

Who asked you if it was okay to give our sovereignty away to foreign powers? No one! The English only ever voted to join a common market; not a United States of Europe. The English Democrats will trust the people with a referendum on EU membership.

All parties will offer change at the election. Only the English Democrats the courage to deliver true change and put democracy back in the hands of the people..."