Time to condemn Blair

Re Husain Akhtar's letter to parliamentary candidates in Brent (What do candidates think of tactics?, March 31).

I disapprove of the 'cheap tactics' with which Mr Akhtar identifies Howard and Blair.

On asylum and immigration, the Green Party will honour our obligation to those fleeing from torture and persecution under the 1951 UN Convention. In the UK, we will commit extra resources to the initial decision-making process to foster a fair and civilised system.

Moreover, our opposition to arms sales and commitment to fair trade practice will help to build the global environment in which human beings do not feel compelled to leave their country of origin for non-trivial economic reasons.

The politics of fear correctly identified by Mr Akhtar has contributed to the systematic erosion of our civil liberties, and continues to do so.

Take Hazel Blear's unconscionable admission that she finds it "reasonable" that Muslims should expect to be disproportionately stopped and searched (March 2). When I first heard that remark, I practically had to check that my radio was still working!

On terrorism, Blair, Bush, and their cronies must be tried at the International Criminal Court for their own war crimes, including at Guantanamo and Abu Ghraib.

May I take this opportunity to encourage other conscientious electors and groups to organise public hustings for candidates. I believe that is one of the best ways to put the quality of candidates' political convictions to the test. I would be delighted to have electors cross-examine me alongside my fellow candidates Qureshi, Teather and Kwarteng.

The war crimes tribunal cannot wait, but we must condemn Blair and his acolytes at the ballot box now.

Shahrar Ali
Green Party Parliamentary Candidate for Brent East
PO Box 42434
London  NW10 3XT

Letter published in the Willesden
and Wembley Observers 7 April 2005

Home | News and Press Releases