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To: Rishi Sunak / PM / The UK Government

Pam's County Petition: Get Back Our British Counties

PETITION AND CAMPAIGN VIDEO: https://britishcounties.org/video

RESTORE the historic British counties to their rightful place. Make sure they are properly recognised, signposted and marked. Use them as a fixed frame of reference, for a variety of purposes, across all media.

*IF YOU are signing the petition, please state a reason why. This helps us know why people are supporting the campaign. Many thanks.

Why is this important?

THE 92 traditional - some say "historic" - counties of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales often date back more than a thousand years. They are an important part of the culture, geography and heritage of the United Kingdom. The public understand what they are, and they help create an identity that binds communities together.

Since the 1960s-70s, in particular 1974, huge confusion has been caused to county identity in England, Scotland and Wales through successive legislative acts seeking to change administrative areas.

These acts have eroded the role of the historic counties in the life of our nation, despite assurances by successive governments that the counties would be preserved as the basis for local identity.

All this has happened against the wishes and despite the protests of ordinary people, who have been forced against their will into living in new so-called administrative or "ceremonial" areas that do not correspond with their true county.

We want - and need - legislation to ensure there is just one type of county in this country, namely the historic one. We seek to achieve this by removing all other "county" definitions, and by aligning all ceremonial boundaries to those of the historic counties.

Further, great care must be taken with the names of councils and service areas all over the country, and the counties must be marketed to preserve them into the future.

Pam Moorhouse, who started the petition in 2015, says: “I remember in 1974 when the government sent people all over the country setting up new councils and telling people they had to live in new areas. This was completely against the people's wishes. It upset millions. Why was this acceptable or fair?

"To this day, councils continue wiping out our history and denying it, on TV, in the media, in schools, even in museums, but people feel loyalty towards their traditional area. It is also vital young people know about what happened, otherwise our history will be lost forever.

"People, not the government, should decide where you live. We need to make sure the changes of the past are undone. We need to get our counties back, and make sure this never happens again.

“Please feel free to get in touch with your comments. All views are welcome. If you agree with the petition, please sign it. We want an initial 100,000 signatures to help get the support of enough parliamentarians to get our bill enacted.

"We look forward to your support."

You can find additional information on our website, comment on our social media pages, or contact British Counties Campaign chair Gerard Dugdill: [email protected] or call +44(0)7900 267988

If you want to contact Pam directly, please click on her name on the top left of the petition page and fill in the form.

Website: https://britishcounties.org/

NB. The map shows the 92 traditional counties of the UK.

www.britishcounties.org/video

How it will be delivered

To the government, online and printed names.

Links

Updates

2023-10-02 15:22:56 +0100

Hope all well. Happy Lincs day for yesterday. [email protected]

2023-09-10 11:26:17 +0100

Day out over the weekend in Lancaster. Working on lots of different awards schemes to support the petition and campaign.
[email protected]

2023-06-12 17:12:31 +0100

Coverage also re Bolton referendum.
Attended Heritage Party meeting in Southend. Good support there.

2023-04-03 12:01:37 +0100

Recent Telegraph coverage re Cumberland and Westmorland
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2023/04/01/cumberland-and-westmorland-return-municipal-map/
In anyone can copy and send all the comments, great!

2023-03-21 15:56:26 +0000

Peter Bottomley MP supporting. Now 28 MPs.

2022-12-23 08:29:24 +0000

https://ydm.org.uk/2021/10/19/yorkshire-features-strongly-in-lords-debate-on-traditional-counties/

The Lords and Commons Spokesman seams to fail to realise that most people today know NOTHING of either the forced change, or The Ridings. They think as they are told by all councils that the present divisions have always existed, not helped by post cards of 'Historic North Yorkshire,' Brimham Rocks. Pam.

2022-11-15 14:57:45 +0000

Pam and Gerard with Nick Buckley.

https://youtu.be/U-N7vh5y09Y

2022-11-08 15:49:53 +0000

Kate Bush released a song about 'Kathy' appealing to Heathcliffe a while ago. They showed a video of the moors and the place where the Brontes lived, at Howarth, now a museum that my friend and I once visited.
But although it was about 150 years ago when the Brontes lived there, the voice-over still had to say 'in West Yorkshire!' I was SO MAD... But Kate Bush carved a message on the rock, with a knife, which the voice-over said would last forever. So, would there be a way for me to do the same about the county change, and the misleading info that makes W. Yorks wrongly 150 years old? There are loads of big rocks on the moors, but maybe too difficult for me? I'm just so mad. A hopeless quest but I want to get the message out. What do you think? Pam.

2022-10-10 13:50:30 +0100

We are working on plans for a Berkshire day event. All invited. [email protected]

2022-10-03 12:17:19 +0100

13 added from the Heritage Party conference. We are hoping to go to all the party conferences in due course.

2022-09-05 17:32:36 +0100

We hope you have had a nice summer. Let's keep on petitioning!

2022-07-01 16:29:02 +0100

Humbs Fire and Rescue sent me a letter by post to 'Grimsby, NEL', asking for help with their research on preventing falls and staying safe in the home, if you can leave safely in the event of a fire, if aged over 70. Also, in Asda's Humbs Police had a stand with leaflets to prevent break ins, 'The Humber Sings.'
There were a man and girl aged about 25 on the stand. 'Do you live in the Humberside Area?'
'NO.'
'Do you live in the Humber Area?'
'NO.'
'Do you live locally?'
'Yes, about 10 mins away. I live in Grimsby, Lincolnshire. They took my name and post code. But I object to them pushing Humbs when we unanimously rejected it 50 years ago, or pushing the council-creation NEL. But they wouldn't take 'no' for an answer. No objections. Just taking Humbs/NEL for granted. Anyway they both took a leaflet.
What can I do against such opposition? Contact Lia Nici, Henry, or the MP chap, in Beverley who tried to get any remaining Humbs refs stopped? Fed up with 'modern' refs. Pam.

2022-06-22 14:35:10 +0100

https://www.englishdemocrats.party/london_migrant_english?utm_campaign=midweek220622&utm_medium=email&utm_source=englishdemocrats

See Pam's comment.

https://www.facebook.com/BritishCounties/?notif_id=1654034246745083&notif_t=page_fan&ref=notif

2022-06-15 13:55:00 +0100

From Pam. https://www.englishdemocrats.party/starmer_investigated
Comment should be at end.

2022-06-14 18:02:59 +0100

https://www.englishdemocrats.party/national_petition_england-only_prescription_charges?utm_campaign=prescription_petition_140622&utm_medium=email&utm_source=englishdemocrats

Pam says: Anything but the counties.

2022-05-30 16:34:38 +0100

In relation to this post, https://www.englishdemocrats.party/royal_scots_fusiliers

Having seen our video [ www.britishcounties.org/video ] seen our promoting stand at your conferences, and heard our talks about the traditional counties, so realise how Edward Heath's Government FORCIBLY removed them and made us have gov-created counties instead, now used for everything, despite a massive public protest, why do you only promote and use the 1974-created counties? Why is this fair? Pam Moorhouse.

2022-05-23 07:25:10 +0100

Hi Everyone, If you are over 60 and lived somewhere in Britain on April 1st 1974, can you 'shout' about what Edward Heath did to our traditional counties so everyone knows? He sent 'agents' all over the country to FORCE everyone to give up their traditional county inherited from our ancestors and used for everything up to then, saying 'we're not having traditional counties anymore, so you've got to give them up and have new ones.' No one wanted the change, so by media/councils only 'shouting the new county names' they made us. Today as people are told that the 1974-created counties have always existed, the pre-1974 counties, along with our identity, culture, history, is being lost forever! So, tell others, tell your MP, shout, as this was SO very unfair! Sign our petition at; www.pampetition.com see our 10 min video, where various supporters say why the pre-74 counties are important, at; www.britishcounties.org/video

2022-05-10 11:09:43 +0100

Bad news from Les B [candidate], as he said no-one else mentioned the NEL [North East Lincolnshire] problem. But in Asda's some people are bothered. You can find them if you ask, not everyone of course. Some older people are bothered, and if you tell the young, they can be interested.

Andy lives in Gt Manchester, but frequently visits Grimsby with having parents and property here. He muddled me saying he lived in Manchester. No, Oldham. The silence of course 'converts' everyone.

Fifty years ago no one wanted any change, so they ignored and then 're educated,' and today they 'fob off,' keeping the new counties. They say 'Historic Fountains Abbey in N. Yorks'. Or when the U3A had an outing to Saltaire, the driver gave a leaflet saying 'West Yorks'.

The 'People's Friend' editor refused to discuss it, and 'Yours' tells of 60 years ago 'Z Cars' started with fictitious Mside, when it was Lancs.

Fed up. Pam.

[email protected]

2022-05-08 16:22:00 +0100

PS from Pam. Thanks, I DO long to hear the old county refs again.

2022-05-08 16:02:02 +0100

Promoting the traditional counties.

Hi Everyone, Why can't you, as you are all in the public eye, 'shout' about the traditional counties, and what happened in 1974, as they are never mentioned, even historically, so consequently are unknown to millions, as only the 1974-created counties are pushed? Millions who remember the pre-1974 ones, long to hear about them again. So, why not, as it may then encourage to media to use them?
As it is I get sick of only hearing 'West Yorkshire,' with no 'Ridings' mention. Why? Neither Edward Heath who FORCED the change, is here, and if to please the EU, we left in 2016...
Thanks. Pam Moorhouse.

2022-04-08 18:45:36 +0100

If you buy the 'Daily Mirror' 'Grand National Race information all you get is 'Merseyside' refs. What is wrong with 'Liverpool, Lancashire?' No one knows this anymore.

2022-04-08 18:20:23 +0100

Check this out, first 10 minutes https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000zt46/house-of-lords-16092021

2021-09-20 15:54:44 +0100

Send us feedback on the video if you can, or email about the petition to [email protected]

2021-08-20 11:25:51 +0100

Here is the link to the video
www.britishcounties.org/video

2021-07-21 17:22:24 +0100

Stand by for our county campaign video, TRADITIONAL COUNTIES - THEIR STORY AND DEMISE!, due to be released in the next few days.

2020-12-04 14:31:06 +0000

Awaiting feedback on the newly created "historic counties" APPG (all party parliamentary group), to see if it will help any, and planning our North East (Northumberland and Durham) launch for the second week of Jan, plus Scottish launch for slightly later in the year. Regards

2020-09-25 14:09:20 +0100

Proposals are being drawn up to form an all-party parliamentary group (APPG) to restore the counties, led by Henry Smith, our current lead MP. Watch this space!

2020-09-24 18:52:25 +0100

Happy Westmorland Day. We are now launching a series of county days, associations and business pages linked to our "County Business" project. We shall of course work wherever possible with existing initiatives. Under development. www.countybusiness.uk

2020-07-21 15:09:28 +0100

From: BRYANT, Chris [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: 21 July 2020 2:28
Subject: RE: County campaign

Sorry, not really something for me.

Pam replies: It needs to be of interest as people want to maintain their traditional geographical references. These should not be denied and is grossly unfair. Buildings are preserved but why not counties. The counties were forcefully taken off us and so all knowledge of them is now denied, which is also grossly unfair.

2020-03-18 19:01:15 +0000

We had a very successful meeting in Shrewsbury with the English Democrats, led by Robin Tilbrook. Gerard and I both spoke about the counties, and the importance of saving them for all. We also had a stand with a pop up poster and leaflets, and the petition. We got 10 more people signing. One man said that our county destruction was due to a secret EU plan to destroy us, by destroying our history! So hence no mention of any previous counties ever, even in a historic context. So Turner the artist apparently visited the "North Yorkshire" Coast and Cumbria in the 1700s, 300 years before they were created... Pam 18/3/20.

2020-03-17 17:48:08 +0000

1,236 paper names as of 17 March 2020.

2020-03-17 17:47:12 +0000

THE BCC is getting on slowly. We have another supporting MP, Scottish, Alister Jack of Dumfries and Galloway constituency, secretary of state for Scotland. We lost Jake Berry, 'a proud Lancastrian from Liverpool,' but hope the new minister of local gov will support. Both the English Democrats, led by Robin Tilbrook, and Campaign for an Independent Britain, led by Edward Spalton support our idea, plus 29 MPs cross party, lead Henry Smith. Plus Andrew Gwynne as Shadow lead.
I recently did a Talk at a Middlesex U3A Group to an audience of about 70, of which about half signed the petition. Our new Tory Grimsby MP, Lia Nici, also supports.
Please contact your MP to support, contact your local schools to teach the subject and tell others and get them to sign our petition. Otherwise our historic counties will be lost forever, with their valuable history, how we evolved, etc. In whose interest is that? Thanks. Pam.

2020-02-13 18:41:20 +0000

Message of support from William Hague.

2020-01-25 19:15:54 +0000

Total increased by 30 after Pam and Gerard's trip to Spelthorne U3A, where we spoke about the background to the campaign, the reason for it, and the current state of play. This brings current paper signatures to 1,226.

2019-11-09 22:37:11 +0000

Hi guys, can we please ask everyone who has signed the petition to try to get one more person to sign the petition between now and the of the year? It would be great to get the total number of signatures up to 2,500 by then! Please get in touch with any queries, [email protected] Thanks!

2019-10-06 13:29:47 +0100

1,196 of these names are on paper, as of 1 Oct 2019.

2019-06-21 16:45:42 +0100

Nigel Farage, leader of the Brexit Party, offers his continued support of the campaign. For those who think there is a link between the UK joining the common market, and the destruction of our counties, even if only as children of the same time, this is good news. We must regain our counties as we forge a future as current non-members of the EU. Who knows what the future holds?

2019-05-09 14:00:33 +0100

29 MPs. Peter Bone new supporter.

2019-04-22 19:04:18 +0100

MP numbers now 28, Diana Johnson and Dan Jarvis being recent additions. Recent article in The Telegraph... https://bit.ly/2PlHth1
You can also see here, as one of our top posts: https://www.facebook.com/pg/BritishCounties/posts/?ref=page_internal

2019-01-10 22:41:14 +0000

Chris Chope has become the 26th MP (Christchurch) to support our campaign.

2019-01-05 00:18:02 +0000

Note the following recent article in the Sunday Telegraph. https://britishcounties.org/telegraph-30122018/

Our targets for 2019 are 4,000 supporters and 40 MPs (currently 25). Let's see!

2018-10-23 15:03:30 +0100

1,184 paper names as of 23 October 2018. Also, we now have 25 MP supporters, with Tim Farron, Andrew Gwynne and Andrew Rosindell being among the latest to support. Targets by end of 2019: 40 MPs and 4,000 names. We are running a Westminster Hall debate with Henry Smith in the next three to four months.

2018-09-28 02:20:50 +0100

NB, petition launched 30 July 2015.

2018-09-28 02:20:17 +0100

1,143 paper names as of 28 September 2018

2018-09-07 16:54:50 +0100

1,098 paper names as of 7 September 2018.

2018-08-14 09:44:21 +0100

*1.070 paper names as of 14 August 2018.

2018-04-28 01:44:05 +0100

Lots of media activity recently, related to our official launch in parliament with Henry Smith MP, and the release of our county survey with IPSOS-Mori. Check out more at our website, www.britishcounties.org

2018-04-13 20:34:26 +0100

Campaign launch next week, 17 April, 2-6. There are still some places available if you would like to attend. [email protected]

2018-03-20 00:53:50 +0000

Sir Graham Brady becomes the 16th MP supporting. Official campaign launch set for 17th April, 2018. For info please email [email protected]

2017-12-21 19:11:22 +0000

Henry Smith is now to be official MP champion for the campaign. We are going to write to the Cabinet Office with our draft bill proposals. Ten active MPs supporting, but we are contacting many more. If you would like to approach your MP to ask can they support the campaign, please email campaign manager, at [email protected]

2017-10-22 14:32:49 +0100

Pic updated.

2017-10-19 20:27:08 +0100

Apologies for lack of update. We have had massive media exposure in September, including a page three article in the Telegraph, quoting Pam, with a letter from 7 initial MPs backing, plus media appearances on Look North, https://photos.app.goo.gl/Ogx93KGrZdUW6ZOD3
and Daily Politics http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05g2p8k
Next step is a round of meetings in parliament and London, including with DCLG. We need to:
* keep getting support, we want two million
* get as many MPs supporting, initial base target 100
* get the bill in front of the minister/secretary of state/prime minister.
Gerard

2017-05-14 20:21:32 +0100

The next big target is 2,000 names. Let's hope we get there soon. Thanks.

2017-05-14 20:16:46 +0100

Thanks for the ongoing support. We are arranging some more meetings with MPs after the election, and hopefully also will have some good media coverage with one or two of the nationals. Please remember to fill in the "tell others why you signed" box when signing. Many thanks, Gerard Dugdill

2017-04-09 15:40:07 +0100

Ann Widdecombe supporting.

2017-03-27 14:16:48 +0100

Message of support for counties from Nigel Farage, MEP.

2017-03-25 03:10:24 +0000

Also Edward Leigh, Gainsborough.

2017-03-25 02:17:03 +0000

Messages of support from David Davis, secretary of state for "Brexit"; also David Amess MP, Southend West. Am currently canvassing MPs Alex Salmond and Calum Kerr on the SNP position. Previous MP support includes Andrew Rosindell (Romford), Henry Bellingham (North West Norfolk) and Martin Vickers (Cleethorpes). Possibly Joan Ryan (Enfield North). Pam has sent petition to her local MP in Great Grimsby, Melanie Onn. Gerard

2017-03-22 12:02:57 +0000

1,040 paper names as of 21/3/17. Trying to set up a meeting with DCLG. Also trying to get media support for campaign. [email protected]

2017-01-13 17:02:37 +0000

Thanks for all the comments, please keep them coming. We are trying to see if ABC (association of British counties) can support the campaign more fully. The aim is to have a launch event in parliament.

Gerard Dugdill 13/1/17
[email protected]

2016-12-02 16:34:19 +0000

967 paper names as of 2 December 2016.

2016-10-14 15:38:47 +0100

946 paper names as of 13 October 2016

2016-08-19 13:45:48 +0100

Campaign includes 832 paper names as of 19 August 2016

2016-07-03 22:07:42 +0100

723 paper names as of 30/6/16

2016-05-26 23:49:37 +0100

655 paper names as of 25/5/16

2016-04-25 15:40:47 +0100

Total includes 558 paper signatures, as of 25 April 2016

Gerard Dugdill
Campaign administrator

2016-03-21 11:59:10 +0000

Total includes 508 paper signatures, as of 21/3/16.

2016-03-02 11:58:27 +0000

Please note the campaign includes 470 paper signatures as of 1/3/16 collected by Pam in the north of Lincs

2015-12-01 17:26:50 +0000

The total includes 330 paper names

2015-11-28 12:48:17 +0000

I believe we can add about 330 paper names to the current tally, so that is heading us towards 400.

2015-11-22 18:04:00 +0000

25 signatures reached

2015-11-21 10:32:02 +0000

10 signatures reached

* A portion of the signature total has been collected offline and has not yet been verified by 38 Degrees.