Wessex Regionalist Party
Encyclopedia
The Wessex Regionalist Party is a minor political party
in the United Kingdom
, that seeks a degree of legislative and administrative home rule
for Wessex
, an area in the south and south-west of England, loosely based on the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of that name. It is also known, less formally, as the Wessex Regionalists, the name under which it usually campaigns.
The party has contested Wessex-area constituencies in most elections since it was established, but with little success. In the 2005 general election
, the party contested one seat, South Dorset, and received 83 votes. It has, however, secured representation at parish council level.
According to its Electoral Commission records, it had income of £100 (including £95 subscriptions), and expenditure of £35.52, for the year 2004, in which it contested no elections. In the year 2008, it had an income of £153, and an expenditure of £25.
in 1974 in response to growing demands for home rule in both Scotland and Wales. After a number of years' informal existence, the party organisation was constituted in 1981. The first President (party leader) was Weymouth; subsequent Presidents have included Anthony Mockler, Colin Bex and John Banks
. The President is currently James Gunter.
The party's archives for the 1970s and 1980s are deposited at the University of Bristol
.
's definition of Wessex as consisting of the ancient counties of Berkshire
, Devon
, Dorset
, Hampshire
(which includes the Isle of Wight
), Somerset
and Wiltshire
, but recently accepted a proposal to add Gloucestershire
and Oxfordshire
to this list, bringing their definition into line with that used by the Wessex Constitutional Convention
and the Wessex Society. The areas now constituting Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire did not form part of the kingdom of the West Saxons, but were for a time ruled by that entity under its earlier name of the Gewisse. Subsequently, the areas came under Mercian control and today they are claimed by movements for autonomy in both Wessex and Mercia
.
The party opposed abandoned plans by the British government to give South West England
some form of elected assembly along the lines of the London Assembly
and continues to oppose current administrative regional boundaries. These place the heart of Wessex, Hampshire, including its traditional capital, Winchester, in the separate South East region, as well as bisect the Cotswolds
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
. They also divide two major transport corridors, the M4 corridor
and the South Coast Metropole
, which the party argues has adverse economic effects that further regionalisation on the basis of current boundaries would increase.
, on a similar basis to Scotland and Wales. Its constitutional policy document, The Statute of Wessex, first published in 1982, detailed those powers which the party believed should be devolved to a Wessex parliament or "witan", with between 150 and 230 members. The list, reproduced below, is modelled largely on the powers which were exercised by the devolved administration in Northern Ireland
between 1922 and 1974. Current policy is that the powers devolved should be "broadly" those of the Scottish Parliament, though the list below remains the only comprehensive statement.
The party has actively participated in the Wessex Constitutional Convention
since its establishment. The party's political ambitions are roughly equivalent to those of Mebyon Kernow
and the Cornish Constitutional Convention
's proposals for the future of Cornwall
.
During the 1990s, the party codified its fundamental aims and principles in the form of a 'Charter', which in its most recent form lists six:
2. Health*
3. Housing and environmental services
4. Social welfare
5. Education, culture and sport
6. Roads and road transport*
7. Planning Inspectorate functions
8. Tourism
9. The Fire Service
10. Agriculture, forestry and food*
11. Police*
12. Magistrates and county courts
13. Administrative tribunals*
14. Prisons
16. Rail, air and water transport
17. Employment services, including vocational training
18. Fisheries and exploitation of Continental Shelf
19. Radio and television
20. Civil defence
22. Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
23. Appointment of judges and administration of superior courts of law
24. Citizenship and nationality
25. Posts and telecommunications
26. Currency and banking
27. Weights and measures, Highway Code and other national and international standards
28. Trade Union and company law, regulation of chartered and incorporated bodies
29. Funding of Research Associations
30. Social Security benefits and pensions
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, that seeks a degree of legislative and administrative home rule
Home rule
Home rule is the power of a constituent part of a state to exercise such of the state's powers of governance within its own administrative area that have been devolved to it by the central government....
for Wessex
Wessex
The Kingdom of Wessex or Kingdom of the West Saxons was an Anglo-Saxon kingdom of the West Saxons, in South West England, from the 6th century, until the emergence of a united English state in the 10th century, under the Wessex dynasty. It was to be an earldom after Canute the Great's conquest...
, an area in the south and south-west of England, loosely based on the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of that name. It is also known, less formally, as the Wessex Regionalists, the name under which it usually campaigns.
The party has contested Wessex-area constituencies in most elections since it was established, but with little success. In the 2005 general election
United Kingdom general election, 2005
The United Kingdom general election of 2005 was held on Thursday, 5 May 2005 to elect 646 members to the British House of Commons. The Labour Party under Tony Blair won its third consecutive victory, but with a majority of 66, reduced from 160....
, the party contested one seat, South Dorset, and received 83 votes. It has, however, secured representation at parish council level.
According to its Electoral Commission records, it had income of £100 (including £95 subscriptions), and expenditure of £35.52, for the year 2004, in which it contested no elections. In the year 2008, it had an income of £153, and an expenditure of £25.
History
The party was formed by Alexander Thynn, 7th Marquess of BathAlexander Thynn, 7th Marquess of Bath
Alexander George Thynn, 7th Marquess of Bath , styled Viscount Weymouth between 1946 and 1992, is an English politician, artist and author...
in 1974 in response to growing demands for home rule in both Scotland and Wales. After a number of years' informal existence, the party organisation was constituted in 1981. The first President (party leader) was Weymouth; subsequent Presidents have included Anthony Mockler, Colin Bex and John Banks
John Banks
John Banks may refer to:*Sir John Banks, 1st Baronet , English merchant and Member of Parliament for several constituencies in Kent*John Banks , English playwright*John Banks *John Banks John Banks may refer to:*Sir John Banks, 1st Baronet (1627–1699), English merchant and Member of Parliament for...
. The President is currently James Gunter.
The party's archives for the 1970s and 1980s are deposited at the University of Bristol
University of Bristol
The University of Bristol is a public research university located in Bristol, United Kingdom. One of the so-called "red brick" universities, it received its Royal Charter in 1909, although its predecessor institution, University College, Bristol, had been in existence since 1876.The University is...
.
How the party defines Wessex
The party originally used Thomas HardyThomas Hardy
Thomas Hardy, OM was an English novelist and poet. While his works typically belong to the Naturalism movement, several poems display elements of the previous Romantic and Enlightenment periods of literature, such as his fascination with the supernatural.While he regarded himself primarily as a...
's definition of Wessex as consisting of the ancient counties of Berkshire
Berkshire
Berkshire is a historic county in the South of England. It is also often referred to as the Royal County of Berkshire because of the presence of the royal residence of Windsor Castle in the county; this usage, which dates to the 19th century at least, was recognised by the Queen in 1957, and...
, Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
, Dorset
Dorset
Dorset , is a county in South West England on the English Channel coast. The county town is Dorchester which is situated in the south. The Hampshire towns of Bournemouth and Christchurch joined the county with the reorganisation of local government in 1974...
, Hampshire
Hampshire
Hampshire is a county on the southern coast of England in the United Kingdom. The county town of Hampshire is Winchester, a historic cathedral city that was once the capital of England. Hampshire is notable for housing the original birthplaces of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force...
(which includes the Isle of Wight
Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight is a county and the largest island of England, located in the English Channel, on average about 2–4 miles off the south coast of the county of Hampshire, separated from the mainland by a strait called the Solent...
), Somerset
Somerset
The ceremonial and non-metropolitan county of Somerset in South West England borders Bristol and Gloucestershire to the north, Wiltshire to the east, Dorset to the south-east, and Devon to the south-west. It is partly bounded to the north and west by the Bristol Channel and the estuary of the...
and Wiltshire
Wiltshire
Wiltshire is a ceremonial county in South West England. It is landlocked and borders the counties of Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire. It contains the unitary authority of Swindon and covers...
, but recently accepted a proposal to add Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire is a county in South West England. The county comprises part of the Cotswold Hills, part of the flat fertile valley of the River Severn, and the entire Forest of Dean....
and Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire is a county in the South East region of England, bordering on Warwickshire and Northamptonshire , Buckinghamshire , Berkshire , Wiltshire and Gloucestershire ....
to this list, bringing their definition into line with that used by the Wessex Constitutional Convention
Wessex Constitutional Convention
The Wessex Constitutional Convention is an all-party pressure group, in the United Kingdom, devoted to pursuing a degree of self-government for Wessex...
and the Wessex Society. The areas now constituting Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire did not form part of the kingdom of the West Saxons, but were for a time ruled by that entity under its earlier name of the Gewisse. Subsequently, the areas came under Mercian control and today they are claimed by movements for autonomy in both Wessex and Mercia
Mercia
Mercia was one of the kingdoms of the Anglo-Saxon Heptarchy. It was centred on the valley of the River Trent and its tributaries in the region now known as the English Midlands...
.
The party opposed abandoned plans by the British government to give South West England
South West England
South West England is one of the regions of England defined by the Government of the United Kingdom for statistical and other purposes. It is the largest such region in area, covering and comprising Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire, Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. ...
some form of elected assembly along the lines of the London Assembly
London Assembly
The London Assembly is an elected body, part of the Greater London Authority, that scrutinises the activities of the Mayor of London and has the power, with a two-thirds majority, to amend the mayor's annual budget. The assembly was established in 2000 and is headquartered at City Hall on the south...
and continues to oppose current administrative regional boundaries. These place the heart of Wessex, Hampshire, including its traditional capital, Winchester, in the separate South East region, as well as bisect the Cotswolds
Cotswolds
The Cotswolds are a range of hills in west-central England, sometimes called the Heart of England, an area across and long. The area has been designated as the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty...
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is an area of countryside considered to have significant landscape value in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, that has been specially designated by the Countryside Agency on behalf of the United Kingdom government; the Countryside Council for Wales on...
. They also divide two major transport corridors, the M4 corridor
M4 corridor
The M4 corridor is the area in the United Kingdom adjacent to the M4 motorway, which runs from London to South Wales. The area is a major hub for high-technology companies...
and the South Coast Metropole
South Coast Metropole
The South Coast Metropole is a loose union of authorities on England's south coast, designed to promote their common interests. The association currently consists of Poole, Bournemouth, Southampton, Portsmouth and Isle of Wight councils....
, which the party argues has adverse economic effects that further regionalisation on the basis of current boundaries would increase.
Goals
The party's over-arching goal is to secure self-government for Wessex within the United KingdomUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, on a similar basis to Scotland and Wales. Its constitutional policy document, The Statute of Wessex, first published in 1982, detailed those powers which the party believed should be devolved to a Wessex parliament or "witan", with between 150 and 230 members. The list, reproduced below, is modelled largely on the powers which were exercised by the devolved administration in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
between 1922 and 1974. Current policy is that the powers devolved should be "broadly" those of the Scottish Parliament, though the list below remains the only comprehensive statement.
The party has actively participated in the Wessex Constitutional Convention
Wessex Constitutional Convention
The Wessex Constitutional Convention is an all-party pressure group, in the United Kingdom, devoted to pursuing a degree of self-government for Wessex...
since its establishment. The party's political ambitions are roughly equivalent to those of Mebyon Kernow
Mebyon Kernow
Mebyon Kernow is a left-of-centre political party in Cornwall, United Kingdom. It primarily campaigns for devolution to Cornwall in the form of a Cornish Assembly, as well as social democracy and environmental protection.MK was formed as a pressure group in 1951, and contained as members activists...
and the Cornish Constitutional Convention
Cornish Constitutional Convention
The Cornish Constitutional Convention was formed in November 2000 with the objective of establishing a devolved Cornish Assembly . The Convention is a cross-party, cross-sector association with a strong consensus of support both in Cornwall and elsewhere...
's proposals for the future of Cornwall
Cornwall
Cornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
.
During the 1990s, the party codified its fundamental aims and principles in the form of a 'Charter', which in its most recent form lists six:
- Identity - To promote the cultural and economic identity of Wessex.
- Democracy - To bring into existence devolved, direct democracy in order to give the people of Wessex maximum control over their own lives.
- Quality - To optimise the quality of life for everyone residing, working in or visiting the region.
- Environment - To minimise the adverse impact of human activity on the environment.
- The World - To contribute to the creation of a sustainable and equitable global economy in which the health, security and liberty of all is paramount, regardless of race or creed.
- Enjoyment - To make the whole process of politics relevant and enjoyable.
Legislative and executive powers which would be devolved
1. Local government: designation of boundaries, allocation of functions, financial provisions2. Health*
3. Housing and environmental services
4. Social welfare
5. Education, culture and sport
6. Roads and road transport*
7. Planning Inspectorate functions
8. Tourism
9. The Fire Service
10. Agriculture, forestry and food*
11. Police*
12. Magistrates and county courts
13. Administrative tribunals*
14. Prisons
- *would involve some cooperation with central government and/or other regions
Executive powers which would be devolved while legislative powers remained with central government
15. Trade and industry16. Rail, air and water transport
17. Employment services, including vocational training
18. Fisheries and exploitation of Continental Shelf
19. Radio and television
20. Civil defence
Legislative and executive powers which would remain with central government
21. Defence, except for civil defence22. Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
23. Appointment of judges and administration of superior courts of law
24. Citizenship and nationality
25. Posts and telecommunications
26. Currency and banking
27. Weights and measures, Highway Code and other national and international standards
28. Trade Union and company law, regulation of chartered and incorporated bodies
29. Funding of Research Associations
30. Social Security benefits and pensions
UK General Election candidates
| Election | Candidate | Constituency | Votes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 (February) United Kingdom general election, February 1974 The United Kingdom's general election of February 1974 was held on the 28th of that month. It was the first of two United Kingdom general elections held that year, and the first election since the Second World War not to produce an overall majority in the House of Commons for the winning party,... |
Viscount Weymouth Alexander Thynn, 7th Marquess of Bath Alexander George Thynn, 7th Marquess of Bath , styled Viscount Weymouth between 1946 and 1992, is an English politician, artist and author... |
Westbury Westbury (UK Parliament constituency) Westbury was a parliamentary constituency in Wiltshire from 1449 to 2010. It was represented in the House of Commons of England until 1707, and then in the House of Commons of Great Britain from 1707 to 1800, and finally in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1801... |
521 |
| 1979 United Kingdom general election, 1979 The United Kingdom general election of 1979 was held on 3 May 1979 to elect 635 members to the British House of Commons. The Conservative Party, led by Margaret Thatcher ousted the incumbent Labour government of James Callaghan with a parliamentary majority of 43 seats... |
Colin Bex | Windsor & Maidenhead Windsor and Maidenhead (UK Parliament constituency) Windsor and Maidenhead was a county constituency in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead in Berkshire. It returned one Member of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.... |
251 |
| Henrietta Rous | Devon North North Devon (UK Parliament constituency) North Devon is a county constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament by the first-past-the-post system of election.... |
50 | |
| Gwendoline Ewen | Dorset West | 192 | |
| Michael Mahoney | Winchester | 392 | |
| Viscount Weymouth Alexander Thynn, 7th Marquess of Bath Alexander George Thynn, 7th Marquess of Bath , styled Viscount Weymouth between 1946 and 1992, is an English politician, artist and author... |
Wells Wells (UK Parliament constituency) Wells is a county constituency centred on the city of Wells in Somerset. It elects one Member of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, by the first past the post voting system... |
155 | |
| Anthony Mockler | Devizes Devizes (UK Parliament constituency) Devizes is a parliamentary constituency in Wiltshire, England, which is now represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, and before 1707 in the House of Commons of England.... |
142 | |
| Tom Thatcher | Westbury Westbury (UK Parliament constituency) Westbury was a parliamentary constituency in Wiltshire from 1449 to 2010. It was represented in the House of Commons of England until 1707, and then in the House of Commons of Great Britain from 1707 to 1800, and finally in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1801... |
1905 | |
| 1983 United Kingdom general election, 1983 The 1983 United Kingdom general election was held on 9 June 1983. It gave the Conservative Party under Margaret Thatcher the most decisive election victory since that of Labour in 1945... |
Anthony Mockler | Wantage Wantage (UK Parliament constituency) -Elections in the 1990s:- Notes and references :... |
183 |
| Colin Bex | Windsor & Maidenhead Windsor and Maidenhead (UK Parliament constituency) Windsor and Maidenhead was a county constituency in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead in Berkshire. It returned one Member of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.... |
68 | |
| Henrietta Rous | Devon West & Torridge | 113 | |
| David Fox | Dorset North | 294 | |
| Simon Winkworth | Winchester | 155 | |
| Adam Stout | Wansdyke Wansdyke (UK Parliament constituency) Wansdyke was a county constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elected one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election.... |
213 | |
| David Robins | Woodspring Woodspring (UK Parliament constituency) Woodspring was, from 1983 until 2010, a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elected one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election... |
177 | |
| Gwendoline Ewen | Devizes Devizes (UK Parliament constituency) Devizes is a parliamentary constituency in Wiltshire, England, which is now represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, and before 1707 in the House of Commons of England.... |
234 | |
| Maya Kemp | Salisbury Salisbury (UK Parliament constituency) Salisbury is a county constituency centred on the city of Salisbury in Wiltshire. It elects one Member of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, by the first past the post voting system.... |
182 | |
| John Banks | Westbury Westbury (UK Parliament constituency) Westbury was a parliamentary constituency in Wiltshire from 1449 to 2010. It was represented in the House of Commons of England until 1707, and then in the House of Commons of Great Britain from 1707 to 1800, and finally in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1801... |
131 | |
| 1997 United Kingdom general election, 1997 The United Kingdom general election, 1997 was held on 1 May 1997, more than five years after the previous election on 9 April 1992, to elect 659 members to the British House of Commons. The Labour Party ended its 18 years in opposition under the leadership of Tony Blair, and won the general... |
Colin Bex | Portsmouth North | 72 |
| 2001 United Kingdom general election, 2001 The United Kingdom general election, 2001 was held on Thursday 7 June 2001 to elect 659 members to the British House of Commons. It was dubbed "the quiet landslide" by the media, as the Labour Party was re-elected with another landslide result and only suffered a net loss of 6 seats... |
Colin Bex | Wells Wells (UK Parliament constituency) Wells is a county constituency centred on the city of Wells in Somerset. It elects one Member of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, by the first past the post voting system... |
167 |
| Henrietta Rous | Winchester | 66 | |
| 2005 United Kingdom general election, 2005 The United Kingdom general election of 2005 was held on Thursday, 5 May 2005 to elect 646 members to the British House of Commons. The Labour Party under Tony Blair won its third consecutive victory, but with a majority of 66, reduced from 160.... |
Colin Bex | Dorset South | 83 |
| 2010 | Colin Bex | Witney Witney (UK Parliament constituency) Witney is a county constituency in Oxfordshire represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election, and was created for the 1983 general election.... |
62 |
European Election candidates
| Election | Candidate | Constituency | Votes |
|---|---|---|---|
1979 |
Viscount Weymouth Alexander Thynn, 7th Marquess of Bath Alexander George Thynn, 7th Marquess of Bath , styled Viscount Weymouth between 1946 and 1992, is an English politician, artist and author... |
Wessex Wessex (European Parliament constituency) Wessex was a European Parliament constituency covering all of Dorset in England, plus parts of western Hampshire and southern Wiltshire. It was named after the Anglo-Saxon Kingdom of Wessex.... |
1706 |
| 1984 | Henrietta Rous | Devon Devon (European Parliament constituency) Devon was a European Parliament constituency covering all of Devon in England, with the exception of the city of Plymouth.Prior to its uniform adoption of proportional representation in 1999, the United Kingdom used first-past-the-post for the European elections in England, Scotland and Wales... |
659 |
| 1989 | Gwendoline Ewen | Bristol Bristol (European Parliament constituency) Bristol was a European Parliament constituency centred on Bristol in England, but covering much of Avon. Until 1984, it included parts of southern Gloucestershire and northwestern Wiltshire.... |
1017 |
| Henrietta Rous | Devon Devon (European Parliament constituency) Devon was a European Parliament constituency covering all of Devon in England, with the exception of the city of Plymouth.Prior to its uniform adoption of proportional representation in 1999, the United Kingdom used first-past-the-post for the European elections in England, Scotland and Wales... |
385 | |
| Anthony Mockler | Somerset and Dorset West Somerset and Dorset West (European Parliament constituency) Somerset and Dorset West was a European Parliament constituency covering all of Somerset in England, plus parts of Avon and western Dorset.Prior to its uniform adoption of proportional representation in 1999, the United Kingdom used first-past-the-post for the European elections in England,... |
930 |
External links
- Website
- Wessex Regionalists blog
- Wessex Regionalists Party papers 1975 - 1996 University of Bristol Library Special Collections