Why I am standing for election

In February this year, more than a million people demonstrated their opposition to war on Iraq. I innocently thought that that will dissuade the Prime Minister from going along with the USA in an invasion of Iraq. But it did not dissuade him from what we now know was a pre-determined path for war. This is symptomatic of his government. Take the tube for instance. The vast majority of Londoners were against Private Public Partnership (PPP) for the underground, but that did not stop the government from proceeding with the scheme.

We have a Prime Minister who no longer represents the people of Britain. A situation that we cannot allow to continue. Blair has betrayed Labour values. These values must be re-asserted. This cannot at present be done through any of the traditional mainstream parties.

I had always supported Labour. However, like many others, have become disillusioned with Labour’s continuation of and sometimes extension of Tory policies. These include major issues such as education, health, PFI and transport.

The attack on Iraq and the manner in which Tony Blair built support for the war; the propaganda, the half truths and the outright lies was the last straw. Tony Blair’s conduct has brought the office of Prime Minister into disrepute. He has put our country in danger, lives of British troops have been lost and continued to be lost through the occupation of a foreign country. Tony Blair’s continued arrogance and contempt of the British people is unacceptable.

I have come to the conclusion that more than protest is necessary. This by-election provides the opportunity for the electorate of Brent East, on behalf of the British people, to give Tony Blair a slap.

Brent East has traditionally voted Labour. Voting Labour now, however, will in its effect be a vote of confidence in Tony Blair, giving him a mandate to continue with his policies of aggression, conflict and war both here and abroad. Military action in the Middle East has resulted in the Syrian border been violated and Iran has been accused of inciting popular revolt in Iraq, whilst North Korea remains an area of further potential conflict. Blair and Bush must be stopped before it is too late.

I will never forget the time recently I had to take my son to the casualty department at Central Middlesex Hospital. It was 1.30 pm on a Sunday and the waiting room was crowded with patients, some of whom had been waiting for six hours or more. I spoke with two elderly women who had endured a wait nine hours before they were seen. If these conditions applied to animals, the RSPCA would ensure it would make the headlines the next morning. But in our hospitals, this is normal.

The tragedy is that there is no reason why our hospitals, schools, colleges and other public services should be so starved of resources. Every time a hospital or a school asks for money, we are told there is none. Yet the Chancellor was able to find few billions, not millions, but billions, practically overnight, for a war that the people did not want.

We have had the protest. We have raised our voices. Now we need to make our presence felt. That is the reason why I have decided to stand for election. I will not be just another MP, easily silenced and sidelined but speak and act for the population of Brent East on all issues.