I've had some very interesting conversations lately on this subject, and I want to hear your opinions on it.
I am anti-Iraq war. We were lied to in the run-up to get the support, 100,000 Iraqis dead, torture at Abu Graibh, the borders suddenly opened to militants from outside and a ruthless insurgency in the country.
Was it all for oil and lucrative contracts? Given the big business interest in the Whitehouse, probably. Was it a lot about Israel? Given the neo-cons in the Whitehouse, probably. Was it anything to do with terrorism? No. Was it anything to do with WMD? No, everyone knows they didn't exist.
Our moral standing in the world has been shattered, and nearly as many Iraqis have been killed by the hands of Britain and America as by the hand of nature on Boxing Day.
The vast majority of Brits seem to agree with me. So, is it right to hope that enough British and American servicemen get killed in order to stop this type of colonial invasion from occuring again?
Myself, I'm torn. I love Britain and (still) like America, and wish no harm towards any of their citizens, let alone their troops. But I can't help feeling that a greater injustice is done to a dead Iraqi civilian than a dead British or American soldier.
What are your thoughts on this?
Iraq and British soldiers
My thoughts are that we should all use our vote on Election day in May, and get Blair out of Downing St.
Michael Howard isn't perfect, but fair play he does talk a lot of sense. The only thing that Howard has said which I haven't liked, is that he would hold a referendum on the Welsh Assembly & Scottish Parliament if he became PM.
The Welsh Assembly is without doubt one of the best things to happen in Wales for a long time.
But I'm sure that Howard wouldn't have taken this country to war on a lie.
Michael Howard isn't perfect, but fair play he does talk a lot of sense. The only thing that Howard has said which I haven't liked, is that he would hold a referendum on the Welsh Assembly & Scottish Parliament if he became PM.
The Welsh Assembly is without doubt one of the best things to happen in Wales for a long time.
But I'm sure that Howard wouldn't have taken this country to war on a lie.
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Anonymous
I was a supporter of the Iraq War, and to some extent still am. I will vote for Tony Blair again - not Michael Howard. The Tories are still recovering, very slowly, from the 1997 election defeat, and Michael Howard has no appeal to me.
I believe that Tony Blair took us to war on the understanding that there were WMD - we now know that there no longer are - but it was the intelligence services who misled Blair who in turn then took Britain to war.
And as for Michael Howard wouldn't have taken us to war - we'll never know whether he would or wouldn't. He said he wouldn't have if he knew what he had knowen then and all that crap that he spurted out.
In fact he probabbly would have because, he would have sucked up Dubyas arse, just like Blair.
So no, I shall vote Blair, Labour, in May or whenever.
And you may have read today that Mr Howard believes that he will probably loose the next election. Just as well as on the morning of the election results, he won't need to eat those Frosties, because of all that stuff he was going to do on'Day One' - instead he'll be crying into them as we hear that Blair has returned to Number 10 with a majority of 100 or more
I believe that Tony Blair took us to war on the understanding that there were WMD - we now know that there no longer are - but it was the intelligence services who misled Blair who in turn then took Britain to war.
And as for Michael Howard wouldn't have taken us to war - we'll never know whether he would or wouldn't. He said he wouldn't have if he knew what he had knowen then and all that crap that he spurted out.
In fact he probabbly would have because, he would have sucked up Dubyas arse, just like Blair.
So no, I shall vote Blair, Labour, in May or whenever.
And you may have read today that Mr Howard believes that he will probably loose the next election. Just as well as on the morning of the election results, he won't need to eat those Frosties, because of all that stuff he was going to do on'Day One' - instead he'll be crying into them as we hear that Blair has returned to Number 10 with a majority of 100 or more
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Gavin Scott
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I voted for Tony in 97, and again at the next election.
I cannot vote for him again. I find it impossible to believe he was "misled" by his advisers. I find it much more likely that he was fully aware of Bush's objectives and agenda and allowed *us* to be misled about the nature of the threat.
There is conflicting and worrying information coming out of many other regions in the globe, yet there is no suggestion we must "act now" for our Nations safety.
The removal of Saddam was designed not to make America and the UK safe from "terror", but to allow for control and distribution of oil.
I'm sickened that Britain were part of it.
Vote for Howerd? He's a flim flam merchant. I have no idea what to do at the next election, and that's the truth.
I cannot vote for him again. I find it impossible to believe he was "misled" by his advisers. I find it much more likely that he was fully aware of Bush's objectives and agenda and allowed *us* to be misled about the nature of the threat.
There is conflicting and worrying information coming out of many other regions in the globe, yet there is no suggestion we must "act now" for our Nations safety.
The removal of Saddam was designed not to make America and the UK safe from "terror", but to allow for control and distribution of oil.
I'm sickened that Britain were part of it.
Vote for Howerd? He's a flim flam merchant. I have no idea what to do at the next election, and that's the truth.
I am in a slightly odd position.
My constituency is run (sort of) by Charles Clarke.
Having met and worked for him, I could not possibly justify voting for the man.
That said, his co-worker just across the other side of the city, Dr. Ian Gibson, is a great man, and I'd love to vote for him.
I would not like to vote for Tony Blair, however. (Nor Mr Howard, for that matter.)
So what do I do?
These guys are all from the same party. I can't spoil my ballot, because I think that just demonstrates an inability to make a difference.
I think it says a lot about the state of Labour at the moment, that in one city you can have an MP who is solidly in favour of Tony and co., and on the other side of the city one who can't stand the sight of them, both supposedly representing the same party.
My constituency is run (sort of) by Charles Clarke.
Having met and worked for him, I could not possibly justify voting for the man.
That said, his co-worker just across the other side of the city, Dr. Ian Gibson, is a great man, and I'd love to vote for him.
I would not like to vote for Tony Blair, however. (Nor Mr Howard, for that matter.)
So what do I do?
These guys are all from the same party. I can't spoil my ballot, because I think that just demonstrates an inability to make a difference.
I think it says a lot about the state of Labour at the moment, that in one city you can have an MP who is solidly in favour of Tony and co., and on the other side of the city one who can't stand the sight of them, both supposedly representing the same party.
Have you ever seen him smile? He looks a downright miserable git in any photo I've seen of him. When he was made home secretary I actually shouted out 'Oh no!' to the TV!cat wrote:I am in a slightly odd position.
My constituency is run (sort of) by Charles Clarke.
Having met and worked for him, I could not possibly justify voting for the man.
"That one!"
Labour will win at the next election...no doubt about that but with a significantly reduced majority thanks to more people voting Liberal Democrat. A good thing? Well who knows...it would be interesting to see them have a bit of power in the house?
Labour? Well the credibility is sort of going down the pan, but people just can't seem to shake off the Labour promises of 1997 and still vote for them for the simple fact there's nothing better around.
I want the conservatives to do better...no I really do. They should be a credible opposition and be able to make some headway, but sadly they'll forever be hindered by the massive Labour majority..they can never rebel against a policy because they won't win it. We've seen "quick" changes of mind from Labour rebels...obvious that the whips had them in saying that they'll make them the next best thing since sliced bread if they support the government...Top-Up fees anyone?
It's all a bit of a minefield...I don't want to vote Labour...Lib-Dem scare me a bit...Conservatives just aren't making enough headway (although thankfully better than the IDS years)...and I feel a tory vote may be slightly wasted.
I have two legal votes come the general election...one at home and one for London. Home never has any other candidates other than the main 3 and we've always been Labour...and as for London...well letting Ken back into the Labour party shows a degree of desperation...and as for my newly acquired Tooting address...well it always seems pretty Labour friendly so doubt they'll be bringing changes this year.
I think this year's election will be best summed up with:
"Sick of the current government...but what's the alternative?"
Nuff said. Voter apathy truly at its best/worst.
Labour? Well the credibility is sort of going down the pan, but people just can't seem to shake off the Labour promises of 1997 and still vote for them for the simple fact there's nothing better around.
I want the conservatives to do better...no I really do. They should be a credible opposition and be able to make some headway, but sadly they'll forever be hindered by the massive Labour majority..they can never rebel against a policy because they won't win it. We've seen "quick" changes of mind from Labour rebels...obvious that the whips had them in saying that they'll make them the next best thing since sliced bread if they support the government...Top-Up fees anyone?
It's all a bit of a minefield...I don't want to vote Labour...Lib-Dem scare me a bit...Conservatives just aren't making enough headway (although thankfully better than the IDS years)...and I feel a tory vote may be slightly wasted.
I have two legal votes come the general election...one at home and one for London. Home never has any other candidates other than the main 3 and we've always been Labour...and as for London...well letting Ken back into the Labour party shows a degree of desperation...and as for my newly acquired Tooting address...well it always seems pretty Labour friendly so doubt they'll be bringing changes this year.
I think this year's election will be best summed up with:
"Sick of the current government...but what's the alternative?"
Nuff said. Voter apathy truly at its best/worst.
Good Lord!
I shall be voting Conservative come election day to get rid of the Labour MP, as he is one of the Blairites who do nothing but vote with Tony, even on most free votes; he only has a small majority so it is very possible the Conservatives will take that seat, even with the mess they are in nationally (it always was a Conservative seat until the 1997 Labour landslide).
Labour will win of course, but I am hoping for a massive cut in their majority so Tony won't have so much power, if he tries to push through any more policies that are to the right of the Tories, the Labour Left will have enough power to vote him down.
Labour will win of course, but I am hoping for a massive cut in their majority so Tony won't have so much power, if he tries to push through any more policies that are to the right of the Tories, the Labour Left will have enough power to vote him down.