One of the reasons I write about the fringe right is because it’s where all the market signals are - and its the place where the ideological battle happen that dictate where the centre-right goes.
Nationalism, to me, is the love of your own nation – in my case, England – not about picking sides in every foreign conflict, whether it’s Israel, Ukraine, Russia or anywhere else. We’re not “Zionists”, “Ukrainists”, “Russia‑ists” or anything similar; we’re English, and we love England.
I don’t recognise “British” as a real nation in the same way as English, Scottish, Welsh or Irish. “British” is primarily a legal and Union label – a status on a passport – whereas those older nations are rooted in people and place. You can be an English, Scottish, Welsh or Northern Irish nationalist; beyond that, you’re really talking about Unionism, not nationalism.
As for labels like “civic nationalist” and “ethno nationalist”, they usually function as lazy slurs slapped on by people who don’t really understand the positions they’re talking about and want to shut down the argument. At that point they might as well call everyone “Nazis” – it’s just as absurd, but easier than actually engaging with what we believe.
This piece reminded me very much of the current Labour party and when it came to power in 2024. I believe one of the reasons that Starmer had no policies on anything is for the very same reason that you espouse, Pete. He had so many competing factions that if and when they split away, Labour would be consigned to the rubbish heap again with a barely manageable Parliamentary cohort. It will happen to Burnham, too. He won't be able to keep Makerfield Leave voters reconciled to the strident Palestinian/Muslim groups. You pays your money and takes your choice.
It would simplify matters greatly if people referred to themselves as English Nationalists. I am English, my race is under threat. I live in England, my country is under threat. I don't care about Jews, Israel, boomers, Gen xyzedders, Zionism, Atlanticism, Nato, Russia or America.
I care about the survival of my people and country. Nothing else matters. Is it really beyond the wherewithal of Restore to make this one simple statement we can ALL unify around?
I agree that it is possible to formulate terminology and policies which will be satisfactory for everyone and which can be presented to the electorate as the best way forward. There are identifiable reasons why other political campaigns have fallen short, but it is not because they were way off base. Restore Britain represents a genuine opportunity and I am confident that good things can come of it.
The problem with foreign policy and defence in this country, is no one is really interested until s**t hits the fan and then it’s all hands to pumps to scratch something together.
As Israel has been and still is under threat from all around them everything is down stream of defence.
At 4pm every Monday the Knesset votes on a no-confidence motion of the sitting government and so keeping everyone on side really matters.
Henry Bolton was previously in the SDP and was the foreign affairs spokesman, as Pete says he’s a stereotypical ex-forces guy who is looks to me in having to stray away from his strengths into areas that he rather not. Just shows the dearth in talent in Restore if you are relying on a foreign policy/defence specialist to write policy in areas he isn’t familiar apart from what everyone else knows which won’t be the technical details you need.
Pete you aren’t boring me. Please proceed as before.
Accepting your analysis of the split, is it not possible simply to have an almost nil foreign policy and focus on the single issue of stopping and reversing immigration? As you have tirelessly detailed, this one issue is difficult enough and could easily absorb 5 years of concerted effort.
You are correct in one sense that Restore Britain does need to clarify official party policy on some issues but I think that will happen and when it does I think the two 'sides' will be able to see that there is a 'third way' which will work better.
I'm not big into labeling apart from wine - decent white Cote Du Rhône ( yes, there is some) about which I'm very fond.
Back to the plot - you're not boring me yet - you've a little way to go - but every time I read one of your postings I fall back to the days of The Tory Party might be boring but it's a broard church under which I'm happy to belong. Not as a member, but as a party to vote for.
The Tory ( ok and Unionist Party) are still, in my view the best party ( currently) to lead us out of the current mess.
Brexit to be fair helped flush out and unload a lot of red trousered , florrid faced individuals who bought the EU /Brussels meme, hook, line and sinker.
If Badenoch ( ok,big if, if Badenoch can get the Comms story/narrative right with a dash of better thing's to come, and Burnham crashes and burns with Manchesterism economics - it's not infeasible that we could, once again, have a centre right Tory government that could start to rebuild the UK for everyone - there's a reason why the Tories were the most successful party of government in the 20th century - it's because the People, vox populi, wanted them to be successful and the Tories gave the punters what we wanted within reason.
Nationalism, to me, is the love of your own nation – in my case, England – not about picking sides in every foreign conflict, whether it’s Israel, Ukraine, Russia or anywhere else. We’re not “Zionists”, “Ukrainists”, “Russia‑ists” or anything similar; we’re English, and we love England.
I don’t recognise “British” as a real nation in the same way as English, Scottish, Welsh or Irish. “British” is primarily a legal and Union label – a status on a passport – whereas those older nations are rooted in people and place. You can be an English, Scottish, Welsh or Northern Irish nationalist; beyond that, you’re really talking about Unionism, not nationalism.
As for labels like “civic nationalist” and “ethno nationalist”, they usually function as lazy slurs slapped on by people who don’t really understand the positions they’re talking about and want to shut down the argument. At that point they might as well call everyone “Nazis” – it’s just as absurd, but easier than actually engaging with what we believe.
Well he did say “collectivist” “socialist” “fascists” so that’s basically just “Nazi” with more letters. 😁
This piece reminded me very much of the current Labour party and when it came to power in 2024. I believe one of the reasons that Starmer had no policies on anything is for the very same reason that you espouse, Pete. He had so many competing factions that if and when they split away, Labour would be consigned to the rubbish heap again with a barely manageable Parliamentary cohort. It will happen to Burnham, too. He won't be able to keep Makerfield Leave voters reconciled to the strident Palestinian/Muslim groups. You pays your money and takes your choice.
It would simplify matters greatly if people referred to themselves as English Nationalists. I am English, my race is under threat. I live in England, my country is under threat. I don't care about Jews, Israel, boomers, Gen xyzedders, Zionism, Atlanticism, Nato, Russia or America.
I care about the survival of my people and country. Nothing else matters. Is it really beyond the wherewithal of Restore to make this one simple statement we can ALL unify around?
I agree that it is possible to formulate terminology and policies which will be satisfactory for everyone and which can be presented to the electorate as the best way forward. There are identifiable reasons why other political campaigns have fallen short, but it is not because they were way off base. Restore Britain represents a genuine opportunity and I am confident that good things can come of it.
You are not boring me. This is absolutely critical analysis. Honestly even Andy Burnham ought to be reading this and taking notes.
The problem with foreign policy and defence in this country, is no one is really interested until s**t hits the fan and then it’s all hands to pumps to scratch something together.
As Israel has been and still is under threat from all around them everything is down stream of defence.
At 4pm every Monday the Knesset votes on a no-confidence motion of the sitting government and so keeping everyone on side really matters.
Henry Bolton was previously in the SDP and was the foreign affairs spokesman, as Pete says he’s a stereotypical ex-forces guy who is looks to me in having to stray away from his strengths into areas that he rather not. Just shows the dearth in talent in Restore if you are relying on a foreign policy/defence specialist to write policy in areas he isn’t familiar apart from what everyone else knows which won’t be the technical details you need.
Pete you aren’t boring me. Please proceed as before.
Accepting your analysis of the split, is it not possible simply to have an almost nil foreign policy and focus on the single issue of stopping and reversing immigration? As you have tirelessly detailed, this one issue is difficult enough and could easily absorb 5 years of concerted effort.
You are correct in one sense that Restore Britain does need to clarify official party policy on some issues but I think that will happen and when it does I think the two 'sides' will be able to see that there is a 'third way' which will work better.
I'm not big into labeling apart from wine - decent white Cote Du Rhône ( yes, there is some) about which I'm very fond.
Back to the plot - you're not boring me yet - you've a little way to go - but every time I read one of your postings I fall back to the days of The Tory Party might be boring but it's a broard church under which I'm happy to belong. Not as a member, but as a party to vote for.
The Tory ( ok and Unionist Party) are still, in my view the best party ( currently) to lead us out of the current mess.
Brexit to be fair helped flush out and unload a lot of red trousered , florrid faced individuals who bought the EU /Brussels meme, hook, line and sinker.
If Badenoch ( ok,big if, if Badenoch can get the Comms story/narrative right with a dash of better thing's to come, and Burnham crashes and burns with Manchesterism economics - it's not infeasible that we could, once again, have a centre right Tory government that could start to rebuild the UK for everyone - there's a reason why the Tories were the most successful party of government in the 20th century - it's because the People, vox populi, wanted them to be successful and the Tories gave the punters what we wanted within reason.
I'm not voting for a party led by a Nigerian. The end.
I'm sure you aren't the only one who thinks like that.