The Government Must Recall Parliament Without Delay
Last Wednesday, I called for an immediate recall of Parliament to give MPs the right to discuss the escalating crisis in the Middle East and decide Britain's strategy in a free vote. A week later, the Government is still resisting these calls despite the utter failure and moral bankruptcy of its position.
Like hundreds of other MPs, I have been absolutely overwhelmed by the response from constituents who want an immediate end to the bloodshed. At a time of such crisis, it is crucial that MPs are able to represent the views of their constituents. Only an immediate recall of Parliament will allow our voices be heard.
Like the vast majority of the British public, I simply cannot comprehend why the Prime Minister still refuses to demand an immediate ceasefire, even as hundreds of civilians continue to die, thousands are forced from their homes, and Lebanon's infrastructure is systematically destroyed. Just today, the Israeli Government has approved military plans to further extend the invasion of Lebanon. How many more innocents have to die before the Prime Minister supports our calls for an end to this violence?
I also want to thank everyone who has been in touch to offer their support. I share your anger and grief at the senseless loss of so many innocent lives.
Like hundreds of other MPs, I have been absolutely overwhelmed by the response from constituents who want an immediate end to the bloodshed. At a time of such crisis, it is crucial that MPs are able to represent the views of their constituents. Only an immediate recall of Parliament will allow our voices be heard.
Like the vast majority of the British public, I simply cannot comprehend why the Prime Minister still refuses to demand an immediate ceasefire, even as hundreds of civilians continue to die, thousands are forced from their homes, and Lebanon's infrastructure is systematically destroyed. Just today, the Israeli Government has approved military plans to further extend the invasion of Lebanon. How many more innocents have to die before the Prime Minister supports our calls for an end to this violence?
I also want to thank everyone who has been in touch to offer their support. I share your anger and grief at the senseless loss of so many innocent lives.
posted by John at 4:49 PM
6 Comments:
Gosh yes - that would really make the two sides come to an agreement I'm sure.....
It should be a given that anyone who within themselves has even the smallest amount of common decency that they would support a call for a ceasefire. The childish/snidey comment of the previous responder is missing the point.
We should all aspire for a peace in the Middle East. Not to, is to betray the human rights and dignity of those being murdered in the Lebanon and of course those also in Israel.
Let the arguments take precedence over the bloodshed.
If Israel is to seriously consider increasing their onslaught at the very moment that a ceasfire is being discussed then they really ought to be chucked out of the UN.
Indeed the war crimes committed by the Israeli's should be persued even after the peace eventually comes.
Their spokesperson at the UN last night said that the Lebanese peoples had to choose between those forces who built and those that destroyed. In the context of the dreadful assault upon the people and the infrastructure of that country that question must go down as the gravest example of hypocrisy ever spoken!
Keep up the good work John.
I really do not feel this is the issue to try and make political capital. I am no supporter of the PM, but on this issue I feel I have to support him. What he is attempting to do (to varying degrees of success) is to look at the long term issues and attempting to find a path through the mire.
I do not personally believe that a recall of parliament is of much use in the current climate. What we need is more action from the government at the UN to work to get a resolution. Having a simple sound bite of the PM calling for an immediate ceasefire will achieve nothing but to make the left of the party feel happy with themselves.
Jonathan Millins
Equalities Officer
Kent Labour Students
I am sure that the British parliament calling for a ceasefire or even better also calling for Israel to withdrew would have a serious effect on the issue making it clear that Blair does not speak for us and nor does Bush and would isolate the US rather then bolstering them as Blair is now. Go for it John
Yes. I agree. We shouldn't underestimate the global damage Blair has done in recent years by providing the neocons in Washington with the appearance of international support.
Glad to hear John P "coming out". It's about time party members felt free to voice their concerns at some policies. Otherwise we wouldn't be a democracy would we?
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