English Democrats get Gulf News coverage

Scrapping the Barnett formula, what should be one of the biggest ideas around in the present English local election campaigns but instead gets zero coverage or mainstream media attention as the Scots obsessed three main parties all oppose ending this injustice, is at least reported in the Gulf News, linked here with quotes from Robin Tilbrook Chairman of the English Democrats. The following are my selected extracts: The English Democrats are fielding more than 100 candidates in England as part of the UK local elections on May 3. "Some people make out the Barnett Formula has linkage to needs. It expressly doesn't. We have always thought it was wrong," Tilbrook told Gulf News in a telephone interview. "The Scots get more money spent on their problems by about one third than is spent in England with the same problems. "We are looking for an end to the Barnett Formula and a return to a strict needs-based system." Tilbrook added that it was unfair that Scotland had its own Parliament, and Wales and Northern Ireland had their own Assemblies, while they retained representation in the House of Commons in Westminster. "We would like to see a discussion amongst interested parties, including lobby groups, to try to reach a consensus for England," he said.