Patriotic Forum Policy Campaigns

 

 

The following letters have recently been written to the press as part of various policy campaigns being conducted by The Swinton Circle, one of the component organisations which united to form The Patriotic Forum :-

 

In order to support New Britain's campaign to encourage the Republic of Ireland to re-join the Commonwealth The Swinton Circle sent the following letter to the President of the RoI :-

 

Dear Sir,

 

One of your illustrious predecessors, Mary Robinson, once expressed interest in the idea of the Republic of Ireland re-joining the Commonwealth. Indeed when she visited the Commonwealth Games being held at Victoria in Canada during 1994 she made it clear that she would be delighted to see sportsmen and sportswomen from the Republic of Ireland competing at future Commonwealth Games.

 

We believe that such a development has even more virtue now than it did when Mary Robinson first floated this idea. With the European Union currently experiencing grave economic and constitutional difficulties, it is clear to us that the Commonwealth offers a far better vehicle for international friendship and co-operation. We would ask you therefore to use your good offices to encourage the powers that be in the Republic of Ireland to start considering such a step.

 

With players from throughout Great Britain and Ireland playing together for the British and Irish Lions Rugby teams and in the Walker Cup, with the Leinsterman Eoin Morgan currently captaining the England One-Day Cricket side and Nicolas Roche playing a pivotal role in the Sky Cycling Team which helped Chris Froome to win this year's Tour de France, it is clear to us that what we have in common throughout these islands is far more important than that which divides us.

 

We would furthermore like to mention that in 2013 the then Chairman of the Swinton Circle (now Organiser) was invited to take part in a debate at the Dublin University Philosophical Society, and was met with great friendship and hospitality on that occasion, which is still fondly remembered.

 

We trust therefore that this suggestion of ours could be taken seriously, so that hopefully we will be able to see sportsmen and sportswomen from the Republic of Ireland competing at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast, Australia!

 

Yours faithfully,

 

 ( the Executive Committee of the Swinton Circle )

 

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29th July 2014

Dear Sirs,

 

The words of God Save the King were first written in 1744 and first performed in 1745. This was 37/38 years after the Act of Union of 1707. God Save the King/Queen has therefore never been the National Anthem of England, but always of the entire United Kingdom.

 

The adoption of God Save the King/Queen as the National Anthem for separate English sporting teams is therefore wrong. It deprives England itself of a unique anthem, and could potentially be regarded as arrogant by other parts of the United Kingdom.

 

From the first British Empire Games in 1930 until the Melbourne Commonwealth Games of 2006 Land of Hope and Glory was always used as England's anthem, but for the Delhi Games of 2010 for some inexplicable reason this was changed to Jerusalem, which has continued to be used at Glasgow this year.

 

We believe that there should be a country-wide referendum open to all English voters to select an official English anthem to be used at sporting events in future. There would appear to be four candidates: 1) Land of Hope and Glory, 2) Jerusalem, 3) Heart of English Oak, and 4) There'll always be an England.

 

Let the debate begin!

 

Yours sincerely,

 

The Swinton Circle.

 

(The above letter was sent to the Daily Telegraph, following earlier correspondence on this subject.)

 

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19th June 2014

Dear Sirs,

 

It is often claimed by the "Yes" campaign in the Scottish Referendum debate that most English people secretly hope that Scotland breaks away, or at least couldn't care less. As a London-based Conservative organisation with our finger very much on the English political pulse we can assert categorically that this is not the case.

 

The vast majority of English people value the Union, and do not wish to see their Scottish brothers and sisters become foreigners. The Union has been one of the world's greatest success stories, which has benefitted us all. We have fought together in two world wars against tyranny (as well as in many other conflicts against threatening despots); together we initiated the industrial and agricultural revolutions; together we created the greatest and most benevolent Empire which the world has ever seen, which transformed effortlessly into today's Commonwealth (shortly to be gloriously manifested by the Glasgow Commonwealth Games!); together we have been in the forefront of global free trade and technological advance.

 

With Britain's relationship with the European Union about to be renegotiated and probably relaxed, our future appears to be even more exhilarating. The days ahead therefore seem likely to inspire us all, and to herald an even greater chapter in the saga of our island nation. This exciting future can clearly only achieve its full potential if we remain united.

 

It is therefore the "No" vote, not the "Yes" vote, which is the positive vote for the future.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

 

The Executive Committee of the Swinton Circle

 

(The above letter was sent to the entire Scottish daily press )

 

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31st March 2014

 

Dear Sirs,

 

Just as the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games captivated the excitement of the entire nation, so also did this year's Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Sochi. Furthermore, in a few months time the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow will also undoubtedly generate similar massive national enthusiasm. Is it not time therefore, we wonder, for a regular cycle of Winter Commonwealth Games also to be established?

 

It could be argued that not sufficient Commonwealth countries participate in Winter Sports, but it should be remembered in this regard that the various component parts of the United Kingdom have always traditionally competed separately at Commonwealth Games, and that calls have already been made for the various Australian states to compete separately also. Perhaps therefore the component Canadian provinces could likewise compete individually in these proposed Winter Commonwealth Games.

 

We trust that you will consider this proposal of ours, and may hopefully give it your support

 

Yours sincerely,

 

The Swinton Circle

 

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23rd November 2010

Dear Sir,

 

It is the primary duty of any government to protect its citizens, both from external threats to the country's safety, and from lawlessness at home. In this regard the recent proposals in the Coalition Government's Spending Review to reduce the Defence budget and Police spending must be roundly condemned.

 

The War against Terror in Afghanistan still hasn't been won, two members of the Axis of Evil with nuclear ambitions (Iran and the DPRK) still remain unchecked, and recent events have confirmed that terrorist threats both from Yemen and Somalia are increasing. At a time of such escalating dangers from international terrorism it should not just be a case of not reducing expenditure on national Defence and Policing, but of increasing their spending considerably.

 

This does not mean to say that the Swinton Circle is opposed to an overall reduction in the national budget - quite the reverse in fact. We would therefore like to float a number of suggestions whereby meaningful cuts may be made without harming national security :-

 

1) Withdrawal from the EU, thereby saving the country �45 Million per day.

2) Abolition of the Holyrood, Cardiff Bay and Stormont parliaments (subject to the due processes of referenda).

3) Restriction of Overseas Aid to British Overseas Territories and Commonwealth countries with crown links.

4) Abolition of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, and all similar quangos.

5) The re-introduction of the death penalty for premeditated murder and high treason (thus saving the exchequer millions of pounds in keeping alive the worst of criminals).

6) Restriction of free NHS treatment to British citizens and taxpayers only.

7) Lowering the minimum school leaving age to 15.

8) Abolition of the Arts Council and all government spending on the arts.

 

We realise of course that to many such suggestions may seem like "thinking the unthinkable". We trust, however, that by floating these suggestions we may stimulate rational and intelligent debate.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

The Swinton Circle.

 

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Dear Sirs,

 

The Swinton Circle is launching a campaign to advocate that One Mile races are included in the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games. We have already contacted the London 2012 Olympic Committee, the International Olympic Committee, the British Olympic Association, the IAAF and U.K. Athletics in this regard, and hope to generate a groundswell of support for this idea.

 

The London Games should prove to be truly awe-inspiring and memorable, being the first time they have been held in Britain - the birthplace of most modern competitive sports - for 64 years. The suggestion has already been mooted that Dr. Roger Bannister (the first man to break the four minutes barrier for the One Mile) or one of his descendants should light the Olympic flame. This we believe to be a marvellous idea - but why not go one better and initiate special One Mile athletic events both for men and women - and perhaps for paralympic athletes also?

 

The One Mile has always been the most iconic of all track distances, and has a special place in the hearts of all British athletic fans. To include this event at London 2012 will create a "unique selling point" for the London Games, which is bound to make them even more memorable.

 

The argument against such an inclusion is that all modern sporting codes recognise metric measurements only, but this is not true. In both cricket and archery imperial measurements are still the standard - and never forget that one existing Olympic race, the Marathon, is still measured in imperial units: 26 miles 385 yards.

 

There is another reason apart from the above why we believe One Mile events should be included in the Olympics and Paralympics. The biggest percentage difference between track races is between the 1500 metres and the 5000 metres. One Mile falls between these two distances, so will therefore provide middle-distance runners from around the globe with an extra Gold to aim for - and a very special Gold!

 

Yours sincerely,

 

The Swinton Circle.

 

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Dear Sirs,

Over the past eleven years, and to some extent from earlier, there have been significant reductions to Defence spending in Britain. This has proved seriously damaging to our defence capability and has undermined our security, both at home and abroad. It has directly caused loss of life to many of our soldiers.

It is completely unacceptable that our safety should be jeopardised by lack of military equipment and personnel.

The view of the Swinton Circle is that Defence spending must be doubled without delay.

The money for this restoration to a proper level of Defence financing may be obtained by recognising that there is in reality no reciprocity in 'paid-for' medical care between the EU and Britain. People not paying taxes in Britain should be required to have Health Insurance, or to pay directly for health treatment. This will be the same as almost every other country. The E111 or 'European Health Insurance Card' does not prevent the requirement to pay.

The question 'do you have Health Insurance?' or 'do you have money or credit card?' is a simple one.  Emergency life threatening events are handled differently.

Yours sincerely,

 

The Swinton Circle.

 

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Dear Sir,

 

The Swinton Circle is embarking upon a campaign to suggest to Commonwealth countries that they provide subsidised holidays to British people of limited means, providing assistance with transport and accommodation in their respective countries.

 

Those who currently can't afford to go on holiday, such as the old, disadvantaged children and the disabled, would benefit greatly from such a scheme. Many Commonwealth countries receive a great deal of aid from the UK taxpayer, yet we have seen little or no improvement in the conditions in these countries. A scheme of assisted holidays for impoverished British citizens would not only enrich their own lives, but would also help strengthen Commonwealth friendship and co-operation.

 

In the past several other countries have provided free holidays for their poorer citizens, which have proved great successes. We therefore urge the Commonwealth to do the same.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

The Swinton Circle.

 

[ This letter was published in the Daily Mail of 6th July 2009.]

 

 

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