The Social Democratic Party – a campaign group or a political force?

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) appears to be enjoying a little bit of a resurgence.  William Clouston, its leader, has been invited on GBNews programmes, and, according to Twitter, the Party is attracting new members.  Furthermore, the SDP’s last annual conference in London had some high profile speakers among whom were David Starkey, Claire Fox, Patrick O’Flynn and Rod Little.

I would describe the Party as socially conservative, centre left on economics, and patriotic, with a right wing approach to immigration.  It’s the closest thing there is to a British Gaullist Party and its policies are those which I can support, especially that which proposes an English Parliament sitting somewhere other than London.  This last policy convinced me to become a member rather than just a sympathiser.

However, having responded to various emails I received from the SDP’s regional and county officials/co-ordinators asking for candidates in local elections I have not received an acknowledgement, let alone a reply, which is somewhat disappointing. I write this in sorrow rather than in anger.

After such an apparently unenthusiastic response one has to wonder if the Social Democratic Party is serious about re-establishing itself as an electoral force; or does it intend to be of influence as a campaign group with the impressive and personable William Clouston as its public face? 

Time will tell, but I wish them well!

The Church of St. Mary the Virgin in the South Somerset village of Whitelackington.

A mile or so east of Ilminster in South Somerset is the village of Whitelackington, its Church of St. Mary the Virgin being separated from the village by the Old London Road and nestles, alongside the Manor House, on rising ground to the south.

Both the church and manor house are built of Hamstone.  St. Mary’s is in the Perpendicular style with windows suggesting its origins date from the early fourteenth century.  The manor house is gabled and probably built in the sixteenth or seventeenth century.

I took the photo below from the eastern slopes of Beacon Hill on the northern fringe of Ilminster.  At this time of year the winter sunshine was able to shine through the branches of leafless trees and highlight the wonderful golden tones of the Hamstone buildings.

The Church of St. Mary the Virgin, and the adjacent Manor House, in the South Somerset village of Whitelackington.