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The Aim of the Wessex Regionalist Party is:
to obtain and implement self-government for Wessex so as to achieve all the Principles of the Charter (see below).
The Values of the Party, as set out in our Charter, are:
- Identity – To promote the cultural and economic identity of Wessex.
- Democracy – To bring into existence devolved, direct democracy in order to give the people of Wessex maximum control over their own lives.
- Quality – To optimise the quality of life for everyone residing, working in or visiting the region.
- Environment – To minimise the adverse impact of human activity on the environment.
- The World – To contribute to the creation of a sustainable and equitable global economy in which the health, security and liberty of all is paramount, regardless of race or creed.
- Enjoyment – To make the whole process of politics relevant and enjoyable.
These aims are fine, but not necessarily unique. Other political parties and movements will advocate the same or similar aims, e.g. uphold democracy, protect the environment, etc. What makes WR different are the values that we apply, when planning HOW to achieve these aims within Wessex. Building on the model of the Wessex Clubmen during the English Civil War, we look for models and initiatives that promote a uniquely Wessex (third) way.
Every policy adopted has to be consistent with and support the overarching aim of
Devolution – the reason why WR exists
Policies are then tested against three other values:
Vital Democracy )
Common Ownership ) adopted from CommonWealth
Ethical Politics )
We will support other parties or movements on initiatives outside Wessex which are in keeping with our aims but will never take the lead; our focus has to remain Wessex.
Our policies
Manifesto for a Wessex government
Wessex needs regionalism. Although increasingly recognised as a distinct cultural and economic entity by its own people, its existence is largely denied by the institutions of the United Kingdom.
The London-based parties have failed Wessex by adhering to failed ideas. They have kept us divided between arbitrary and unimaginative ‘South West’ and ‘South East’ regions. They have imposed ill-conceived and unsustainable policies, driven by the needs of London, that take no account of the unique nature of Wessex. They refuse to devolve meaningful political and economic power to Wessex, preferring to blunder on with policies that daily make our lives worse.
And now the three main London parties are becoming even more bland and irrelevant, offering us three different versions of the same policies. Support for these parties is a signal that we are happy to see these failed policies continue to blight our region.
Now is the time to say that enough is enough.
Now is the time to support the Wessex Regionalist alternative. When we began our work a quarter of a century ago, regional government was an idea for political theorists and romantic dreamers. Today it is mainstream politics, but the risk is now of it being applied by those mainstream politicians who fail to appreciate its true potential.
This manifesto sets out our vision of a strong and outward-looking Wessex, united around a political programme that provides the framework for a better future for us all. Our ends are environmental sustainability, social justice, cultural diversity and decentralisation within an inter-dependent world. Our means are not just to produce ideas, but to offer the political leadership to make them happen.
The Wessex Regionalists are the party of the future. We invite you to join us.