British-Irish Council. Who speaks for England?

This letter was published in the Western Daily Press on January 16th.

Who was speaking for the English? 
Someone seems to have been left off the guest list when the invitations were issued for the British-Irish Council’s 25th summit meeting in London late last year.

The list of delegates is revealing. The Northern Ireland Secretary Therese Villiers represented the UK Government. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and two other delegates were there standing up for the Scottish people. The Irish Taoiseach and one of his ministers attended on behalf of Ireland. Our Welsh neighbours had two delegates to speak for them, one of whom was their First Minister. Northern Ireland had three ministers representing the people of Ulster while the Channel Islands of Jersey and Guernsey despatched four ministers. Even the government of the Isle of Man sent two delegates.

I wonder who spoke for the citizens of England?

The council’s communiqué listed the worthy issues discussed, among which were domestic resettlement of refugees, the economy and the environment. However, nowhere can be found mention of England or the English.

This latest slight to our country is yet further evidence of the need for an English parliament and first minister to represent, and provide a voice for, the people of England.

S.W.
English Democrats, Somerset