Politics OnLine UK

Sent 24 July 2004, as yet, no reply.

Dear Hazel Blears,

I read an article in the Guardian with interest which said the we, the public, are to be advised to stock up on supplies of tinned food, bottled water and medical kits to help us through a terrorist attack.

Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/terrorism/story/0,12780,1264121,00.html

The article went on to say, you "said the terrorist threat was "serious" and "credible". (and) added: "It has increased and it is going to be with us for the long term."

Rather than just telling us what to do in order to be prepared for a terrorist attack, would you also share what credible information you have with us?

I am more than a little tired of being told what to do without a reasonable explanation of why. I am one of the many people who believed (knew beyond reasonable doubt) that the invasion of Iraq was unjustified and illegal. That two super powers could invade a sovereign nation which had not acted aggressively against another sovereign nation, did not confer the right.

Whether Tony Blair lied to us, or sexed up the information in the Iraq dossier is moot, as far as I am concerned, in the face of the monstrous arrogance of this country and America setting themselves up as the Worlds Police and acting pre-emptively, before a crime had been committed.

I hope that you will understand why, then, I am less than happy to accept your words that the threat of terrorism is 'serious' and 'credible', without proof. On your website it says, 'Have your say on the way forward for Britain.' If you mean that, then this is my say. I no longer trust this government, or anyone who endorsed the invasion of Iraq. As far as I have been able to ascertain, you voted for the invasion. I am a socialist, a socialism thought through and thoughtful, I hope, but in the next general election I will be completely at a loss. I could never vote for a party or any candidate that endorsed the invasion of Iraq. Iraq remains a central and decisive, and divisive, issue for me.

For me socialism means 'participative'. Not the benefactor of politics but a participant in politics. I want to be informed and if you have information that could inform me, I would very much like to hear it. A much bandied about phrase these days is, 'The Nanny State'. If the government does not want a Nanny State then it is the duty of you, and this government, to inform.

I await that information.

Yours very sincerely,

Keith Lindsay-Cameron

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