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To: 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

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

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