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English Democrats' 'long game' | |
(about 21 hours later) | |
The English Democrats are hoping for a win on the London Assembly to send a message that "the time for ignoring English interests" is over. | The English Democrats are hoping for a win on the London Assembly to send a message that "the time for ignoring English interests" is over. |
Chairman Robin Tilbrook said, despite the surprise exit of mayoral candidate Matt O'Connor last week, the party was getting good feedback from voters. | Chairman Robin Tilbrook said, despite the surprise exit of mayoral candidate Matt O'Connor last week, the party was getting good feedback from voters. |
The party is standing a full slate of candidates in London and about 50 across the rest of England. | The party is standing a full slate of candidates in London and about 50 across the rest of England. |
It hopes to take a step towards being a "fully effective" national party. | It hopes to take a step towards being a "fully effective" national party. |
The party has 23 candidates standing in London, including all the constituency seats but it is the London-wide list, elected by a form of proportional representation, that offers its best shot at winning a seat. | The party has 23 candidates standing in London, including all the constituency seats but it is the London-wide list, elected by a form of proportional representation, that offers its best shot at winning a seat. |
'Awfully sad' | 'Awfully sad' |
The English Democrats chose a mayoral candidate, Matt O'Connor, only to have him pull out last week - saying he had fallen out with the leadership over campaign funding and tactics. | The English Democrats chose a mayoral candidate, Matt O'Connor, only to have him pull out last week - saying he had fallen out with the leadership over campaign funding and tactics. |
But Mr Tilbrook said the party had only stood a candidate because it guaranteed a level of media coverage it would not otherwise have achieved. | But Mr Tilbrook said the party had only stood a candidate because it guaranteed a level of media coverage it would not otherwise have achieved. |
Obviously getting an English Democrat elected as London Assembly member, would be a great launch pad in terms of campaigning about English issues Robin Tilbrook | Obviously getting an English Democrat elected as London Assembly member, would be a great launch pad in terms of campaigning about English issues Robin Tilbrook |
"I think it's awfully sad for us and our candidates and all the effort that's been put into this," said Mr Tilbrook. | "I think it's awfully sad for us and our candidates and all the effort that's been put into this," said Mr Tilbrook. |
"It's also sad, let's face it, for all the people on the postal ballots who may have already voted for him. It's also sad for him because I think he's made a fool of himself really." | "It's also sad, let's face it, for all the people on the postal ballots who may have already voted for him. It's also sad for him because I think he's made a fool of himself really." |
Despite that, Mr Tilbrook said the party had received "a lot of positive feedback" during its campaign - which has included canvassing high streets across London, leafleting and a St George's Day demonstration in Parliament Square, complete with "cavalcade" of scores of black cabs. | Despite that, Mr Tilbrook said the party had received "a lot of positive feedback" during its campaign - which has included canvassing high streets across London, leafleting and a St George's Day demonstration in Parliament Square, complete with "cavalcade" of scores of black cabs. |
"The campaign goes on. As far as we are concerned the London campaign was only part of the general effort. | "The campaign goes on. As far as we are concerned the London campaign was only part of the general effort. |
"It's not an end in itself. It's a step in the direction of building the English Democrats into a fully effective national party and giving voice to English national identity issues." | "It's not an end in itself. It's a step in the direction of building the English Democrats into a fully effective national party and giving voice to English national identity issues." |
And, while the party's call for an English Parliament may not be, strictly speaking, an issue for the London Assembly - that has not stopped people asking for leaflets. | And, while the party's call for an English Parliament may not be, strictly speaking, an issue for the London Assembly - that has not stopped people asking for leaflets. |
"The position of London Assembly member is basically either a yes man - which would be the case for the main parties - or it's a campaigning position and obviously getting an English Democrat elected as London Assembly member, would be a great launch pad in terms of campaigning about English issues," said Mr Tilbrook. | "The position of London Assembly member is basically either a yes man - which would be the case for the main parties - or it's a campaigning position and obviously getting an English Democrat elected as London Assembly member, would be a great launch pad in terms of campaigning about English issues," said Mr Tilbrook. |
For him it has been an opportunity to get the relatively new party's message across. | For him it has been an opportunity to get the relatively new party's message across. |
The English Democrats, established in 2002, aims to field 106 candidates in parliamentary seats in the next general election. |
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