Five Winning Ways

“We need to be the change we wish to see in the world.”
attributed to Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869-1948)

Radical parties write their own rules. That is how they eventually succeed. The tide of history will always flow with those who have the greatest, least compromising passion on their side. And the fewest doubts. So the way to make Wessex live is to live it yourself.

For example, by including Wessex as part of your own address and in addressing letters to others. And by challenging others to do the same. Those loyal to traditional county identities have been doing this ever since 1974. And bringing up their children to recognise proper geography rather than the imposed administrative areas. It’s why, when we refer to the ‘South West’ and ‘South East’ zones, we put them in quotes; we aren’t going to do obeisance to the London regime’s map of England.

Individuals and businesses can ‘go Wessex’ by flying the flag and by buying and selling merchandise based on the design. It’s impossible to visit Cornwall or Wales and not be struck by the contrast with Wessex. Why is our tourist industry not pushing OUR identity? Why is it allowing opportunities to drain away? When will it start pressing for ‘Welcome to Wessex’ signs on the motorways and trunk roads that cross our boundaries?

We want a self-governing Wessex region. And we do not need anyone’s permission to act accordingly. Clear thinking on this subject may be a helpful exercise for more troubled times when the London regime is less tolerant of opposition, when Wessex will need appropriate role models.

“The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.”
Alice Walker (1944-)

We need to actually exercise the political power we have, because that's the only way to obtain more of that power. By exercising it now. By calling others to account and doing it tenaciously. By not taking a sneer for an answer. By challenging. Everything. All the time.

Democracy is only corrupted when folk abrogate or irretrievably delegate their political responsibilities. Economic democracy – freedom from, not just freedom to – remains a viable and urgent political choice, if only the majority will take responsibility for their future. The status quo has a huge hold, because it’s issued all kinds of technocratic promises, and folk are wary of fighting it for fear that they won’t get what was promised, be it their pensions, their health care, or whatever. It’s only when they realise that the promises aren’t going to be kept that they will be free psychologically to challenge the status quo and replace it.

It’s easy not to respond to public consultation exercises, on the grounds that, for example, ‘the council won’t listen to us’. If that’s true, we need to push harder, not walk away. Someone, somewhere along the line, will read the comment and start to think. So it pays to make it an incisive and provocative one.

“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”
Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919)

We haven’t inherited Wessex fully realised; it’s a reality we’re having to build. We should no longer need to justify the existence of Wessex. So our task is to draw attention to the fact that Wessex exists, to the consequences of London’s mismanagement, and to the potential that self-government offers for a better life.

We have a long radical tradition in Wessex that doesn’t always feature in traditional historical narratives focused on London’s priorities. It’s an underground stream waiting to be brought to the surface. There’s discontent out there, but it needs to go beyond mere grumbling. It needs organisation. And a comprehensive approach to online activism.

“Greatness consists in deciding only what is necessary for the welfare of the country, and making straight for the goal… In the belief that you are NOT great, but small and weak, and expecting no help to reach you from any quarter, you will in the end surmount all hindrances.”
Kemal Atatürk (1881-1938)

We’re a political party because nothing else works. Nothing succeeds like secession. Not necessarily secession from the Anglo-Norman State, but certainly secession from its habitual modes of thought.

Time spent lobbying Liebour, the Limp Dims or any other product of the Anglo-Norman State is time wasted. We’ve spent days at Portcullis House in Westminster, and elsewhere, in discussions with Alan Whitehead, Andrew George and other leading politicians who are part of the top-down approach. Explaining the facts to an establishment that refuses to comprehend. We can use such time more productively.

“Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity.”
Horace Mann (1796-1859)

But better still, stay around to enjoy it!