BS: Chartist Day

Subject: BS: Chartist Day
From: Folk Form # 1
Date: 01 Nov 07 - 07:07 AM

We have bank holidays celebrating mumbo jumbo religion (Christmas, easter, etc.) and the upper class (Queen's birthday); but why do we (in the UK) not celebrate ourselves as do the French with Bastille Day or the Americans with Independance Day? May I suggest that we put aside a day to celebrate the Chartists, those gallant and noble men (well, mostly men) who campaigned to turn Britain into a democracy-and succeeded, eventually. All but one of the six points (see below) have been accepted and we live in a free and democratic society because of their struggle. By celebrating them, we celebrate ourselves.

So, let us start a campaign for a Chartist Day bank holiday.

THE SIX POINTS.

The vote for all men over the age of 21
Equal-sized electoral districts
Voting by secret ballot
An end to the need for a property qualification for Parliament
Pay for members of Parliament
Annual election of Parliament

Subject: RE: BS: Chartist Day
From: folk1e
Date: 01 Nov 07 - 06:35 PM

We have Equal sized electoral districts AND annual election of parliament? And if we have a secret ballot ... why does the ballot form have a unique code?

Subject: RE: BS: Chartist Day
From: GUEST,King John
Date: 02 Nov 07 - 02:01 PM

15th June 1215 Magna Carta day we should celebrate that too!

Subject: RE: BS: Chartist Day
From: Wesley S
Date: 02 Nov 07 - 02:19 PM

Excuse me for butting in { since I'm an American } but I'd suggest giving the vote to women over 21 as well.

Subject: RE: BS: Chartist Day
From: folk1e
Date: 02 Nov 07 - 09:12 PM

You give them the VOTE???
ducks and runs

Subject: RE: BS: Chartist Day
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 03 Nov 07 - 03:49 AM

I know it's not new but what would be in the New Charter?

The vote for all over the age of 18
Equal-sized electoral districts
Voting by secret ballot
An end to the need for a property qualification for Parliament
Pay for members of Parliament
Annual (?) election of Parliament

All Laws passed to have an environmental consideration?
A recognition that children are the largest group to suffer discrimination?
Much greater shareholder and Trade Union representation on Boards of large companies

Not as snappy and certainly in need of more than a little discussion?

Subject: RE: BS: Chartist Day
From: greg stephens
Date: 03 Nov 07 - 05:42 AM

The annual election demand was dropped. The others have all been won, and now accepted as commonplace. With the addition, as has ben noted, of the even more radical shock-horror notion of Votes for Women.
What new demands should we make? Good question. It should be noted that the Chartists were not demanding particular laws to govern the country, they were demanding new ways to make laws: constitutional reform.The major constitutional problem at the moment is the West Lothian question. The best solution to that, in humble opinion, is to ignore it quietly(the British fudge).

Subject: RE: BS: Chartist Day
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 03 Nov 07 - 06:27 PM

How stupid.

Subject: RE: BS: Chartist Day
From: Folk Form # 1
Date: 04 Nov 07 - 09:51 AM

I'm not asking for a new charter, Les, although "greater ... Trade Union representation on Boards of large companies" is a step in the right direction. I am merely asking for a bank holiday celebrating these under looked people, to whom we owe so much. You go into a book shop and look in the British history section. Everything is there and every period is covered, except of the Chartists. How come?

Subject: RE: BS: Chartist Day
From: greg stephens
Date: 04 Nov 07 - 10:02 AM

I once co-wrote a musical show about the Chartists, called "1842".A wonderful and inspiring bit of history.Very interesting job researching that.

Subject: RE: BS: Chartist Day
From: Fred Maslan
Date: 04 Nov 07 - 04:06 PM

Just finished an historical novel by Stephen Brust and Emma Bull called "Freedom and necessity" about that period. Written in the style of the period. I found it riveting and excellent.