English voters are " . . . ignored, marginalised and abused in political debate."

I came across this letter in The Week (December 1) from former Labour MP John Denham who is now the director of the Centre for English Identity and Politics at the University of Winchester.  In his letter he notes that: “Theresa May, Jeremy Corbyn and Vince Cable managed to mention England just once between them at this year’s party conferences.”  He also states that English nationalism has no serious political party; it seems he is yet to be impressed by the English Democrats.

Without an English Parliament the people of England have no dedicated political representation and therefore no effective collective voice.  Quite rightly the Welsh, Scots and Northern Irish have their own parliaments and assemblies to represent them.  Aren’t they lucky!

Below is Professor Denham’s letter.  It was first published in The Guardian.   

An overlooked nation.

To The Guardian

It is far too lazy to blame Brexit chaos on English nationalism.  It is a strange type of nationalism that never names the nation, has no serious political party, no leaders or public intellectuals, and no significant cultural expression.  Neither Leavers nor Remainers made an argument about what was best for England (though they did for Scotland and Wales).  Brexit is being led by elite politicians who identify as British, not English.  And Theresa May, Jeremy Corbyn and Vince Cable managed to mention England just once between them at this year’s party conferences.  If English voters have a problem, it is that they are frequently ignored, marginalised and abused in political debate.  Asserting distinct English interests reflects frustration much more than nationalism.

Professor John Denham, director, Centre for English Identity and Politics, University of Winchester