Annual Charles Bradlaugh commemoration takes place
The 8th annual commemoration of Charles Bradlaugh, Northampton’s MP from 1880 until his death in 1891, was held at the site of his statue in Abington Square, Northampton earier today.
Attendance was the highest in the event’s eight year history and guest speakers included the Charles Bradlaugh Society’s Peter Mulligan, followed by local author Alan Moore. Paul Varnsverry was also invited to speak:
“It is extremely humbling to be asked to speak following such distinguished and literary guests. The world has moved on since Charles Bradlaugh’s time and yet there are similarities between what happened then and what is happening now” Paul said.
“Charles Bradlaugh had to seek a change in Parliamentary law in order to be able to serve the people of Northampton. In recent months, we have heard calls from the electorate for further changes to the way Parliament is run, to address the way Members of Parliament represent them [referring to the Parliamentary expenses scandal]. There is distrust in all politicians and we have to work to rebuild that trust.
“There will be a General Election by June of next year - in fact, it could take place at any time from the end of this week [referring to the Labour Party autumn conference]. The people of Northampton will want to elect an MP who will represent the electorate’s interests in the way Charles Bradlaugh did. There are those who will stand and will say they encapsulate the spirit of Bradlaugh. I will be standing for election, as will one of my colleagues. Are we deserving of - and I choose my words carefully here, for there was only one Charles Bradlaugh - carrying the mantle of being his successors? Whether Northampton’s next MPs will truly follow the credo of Charles Bradlaugh is not something which can be identified now, by words, but can only be proven later, by their deeds.
”The electorate of Northampton will need to display the same bravery at the next General Election as they did in the 1880s, when they returned Charles Bradlaugh as the town’s MP. The times demand the return of an MP who will truly represent the electorate, as did this great man.”
Speaking after the event, Paul explained “Whatever candidates for the Parliamentary election might say now, the public has every right to be sceptical. The proof of the pudding will be in the eating, and the electorate is going to have to think long and hard about where they put their cross on the ballot paper, because the prospect of getting it wrong and returning an MP who fails to represent the people in the way they have every right to expect would be simply awful.
“Too many politicians - from councillors up to MPs - give the impression that they consider they hold their position as of right and not by the will of the electorate. I made it quite clear in my speech that I am making no claim to being the inheritor of Bradlaugh’s legacy. That will be for the electorate to decide if I am fortunate to earn their trust and am returned as Northampton South’s next MP. I am ready for the challenge whenever Gordon Brown finally decides to dissolve Parliament and call the General Election.”
