So only 13 Members of Parliament (plus two tellers) opposed the war on Libya. Sometimes those who see through lies and jingoism find ourselves in a small minority – I remember marching against the Falklands war.
A hat tip to the Grauniad for giving us the roll of honour of those able to hold the line against a tide of jingo - Tory John Baron (Basildon & Billericay); Labour MPs Graham Allen (Nottingham North), Ronnie Campbell (Blyth Valley), Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North), Barry Gardiner (Brent North), Roger Godsiff (Birmingham Hall Green), John McDonnell (Hayes & Harlington), Linda Riordan (Halifax), Dennis Skinner (Bolsover), Mike Wood (Batley & Spen); Green Caroline Lucas (Brighton Pavilion) and SDLP MPs Mark Durkan (Foyle) and Margaret Ritchie (Down South). Labour's Katy Clark (North Ayrshire and Arran) and Yasmin Qureshi (Bolton South East) acted as tellers for the noes.
Well done in particular to the Socialist Campaign Group and Labour Representation Committee MPs who have stood firm.
For a good summary of the arguments against this latest act of imperialist aggression I recommend the blog of my friend and comrade Owen Jones.
Looking on the bright side, since we have millions of pounds to spend on an unanticipated war then obviously we won’t be needing all these public spending cuts.
Mind you I think I’ll still go on the demonstration next Saturday…
Showing posts with label Libya. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Libya. Show all posts
Monday, March 21, 2011
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Bloody Hypocrites bomb Libya
Our Prime Minister walks out of his front door to tell us that military attacks on Libya are necessary, legal and right. He's a bloody hypocrite. President Obama says "we can't stand idly by" but idle standing is the order of the day elsewhere.
In Bahrain the regime, backed by troops from the democratic bastion of Saudi Arabia, butchers civilians on the streets - and is condemned by the international trade union movement - but all I hear from Downing Street is silence. (Although the FCO have travel advice...)
In Yemen security forces slaughter civilian protestors and again the international trade union movement protests - while William Hague has found enough mojo to condemn this - the "international community" is not driven to take action.
Libya under its current leadership is no haven of workers' rights - there are no genuine independent trade unions. This is why the international trade union movement had to step up and put pressure on the multinational oil companies who have had profitable dealings with the current regime.
However, the cruise missiles paid for from our taxes (for those of us who pay our taxes - unlike many large companies) are not tools to open up freedom in Libya. They are killing Libyan people this evening and they are doing so on our behalf. Working people in Libya killed by our weapons will no more be available to build a democratic Libya than will those killed by the Libyan regime.
Lobby your MP to sign Early Day Motion 1565 and support, if you can, tomorrow's protest, 3pm at Downing Street.
In Bahrain the regime, backed by troops from the democratic bastion of Saudi Arabia, butchers civilians on the streets - and is condemned by the international trade union movement - but all I hear from Downing Street is silence. (Although the FCO have travel advice...)
In Yemen security forces slaughter civilian protestors and again the international trade union movement protests - while William Hague has found enough mojo to condemn this - the "international community" is not driven to take action.
Libya under its current leadership is no haven of workers' rights - there are no genuine independent trade unions. This is why the international trade union movement had to step up and put pressure on the multinational oil companies who have had profitable dealings with the current regime.
However, the cruise missiles paid for from our taxes (for those of us who pay our taxes - unlike many large companies) are not tools to open up freedom in Libya. They are killing Libyan people this evening and they are doing so on our behalf. Working people in Libya killed by our weapons will no more be available to build a democratic Libya than will those killed by the Libyan regime.
Lobby your MP to sign Early Day Motion 1565 and support, if you can, tomorrow's protest, 3pm at Downing Street.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)