I have just finished reading the speech give by Sir Menzies Campbell at the Liberal Democrat conference in Brighton and I would like to offer my sincerest congratulations on an excellent speech.  It is no secret that I support Liberal Democrat values and I generally vote Liberal Democrat at election time. 

I felt the speech given by Ming expressed much of the frustration I feel personally, both in society and with the incumbent government.  In particular he spoke of five giants to be slain, the modern versions being:

“Opportunity, good health, personal security, prosperity for all and a clean environment.”

I am glad that there is a party out there that recognises the need to tackle these issues head on, and not just dance around them with talk and endless reports.
 
Ming also made comment about the placation of religion in our society stating that:

“A truly liberal society guarantees the freedom of all religions, but it accepts the tyranny of none.”

What a truly inspiring statement, and one which gives me faith that in the bill of rights that is being proposed by the Liberal Democrats we will finally see a move towards tolerance.  

I think the bill of rights will ultimately lead to a move away from sectarianism that the Labour government has so recklessly been dragging us towards.  Keep education secular, keep public services secular, and ensure equal rights for all whatever their religion or beliefs.

To the subject of Europe I am always somewhat uncertain what the Lib Dem’s would actually do, but now we have it, clear as day.  A referendum on European Union membership itself!  A risky ploy, as I fear that he credits the populous of Britain with the rationality to understand what it means to be part of a wider union in Europe.  I can envisage a day when we are one with our European brothers and sisters, but also equally sure of our heritage and sovereignty.  I’m not sure that the masses can get past the idea of losing the Pound in exchange for a Euro note, and weighing everything in lbs.

I also think it was positive to see a leader who is willing to challenge America on foreign policy.  It drives me mad to see Britain portrayed as the American lapdog!  An America that talks freedom, yet at the first sign of trouble abandons morality, justice, and reason for torture and imprisonment without trial.  Yesterday was I made aware of “Free speech” zones, places in America where you were free to say whatever you liked in public, but only in these places.  We also saw racial tensions erupt over the right to sit under a tree.  I ask you, is this the same America that claims to be leader of the free world?

The liberals have got it right once again, and are taking taxation on the biggest contributors to global warming seriously. 

With all this covered you’d think that was all he had to say, but Ming quite rightly recognises the gross injustice of the widening rich vs. poor gap.   Unless I win the lottery or some rich uncle I am unaware of leaves me a fortune I will most probably not be able retire ever.  This is in spite of the fact I am contributing to a pension scheme.  If I am feeling the pinch what is it like for the poorest in our society?

From reading his speech it is clear that Ming is his own man, and supported by a stronger tougher Liberal Democrat party.  Having written to all the political parties regarding issues that concern me, I have to say they Liberals are always the ones to respond to my cries of help and frustration.  In the vast majority of cases I share my values with those of the liberals, and that is why I will be supporting them in the next general election.

To read the entire speech please follow this link

picture credited to: RIXphotos.com
photograph by and © Simon Rix

In the news today the French foreign minister suggested that war with Iran was inevitable.  The point was raised in relation to the Iran’s nuclear enrichment programme and the fear by the UN that they are building nuclear weapons with which to strike at the very heart of our democratic nations.

So as a civilian bystander to these comments by the French what do I think?

Well here are some points that I cannot reconcile, and perhaps there is some secret bit of intelligence that I am missing or perhaps even a “dossier” written by a student.

Why is it acceptable for India and Pakistan to have nuclear weapons, but not Iran?  After all Pakistan is known to have terrorist problems, and India and Pakistan are always fighting over their ideologies.  What is to say that India isn’t going to blow up Pakistan or vice versa? 

It can’t be a Muslim thing, because Bush isn’t waging a war on Islam, so perhaps that explains things.  Maybe it’s because Iran doesn’t have a democratically elected government and is ruled by a dictator.  Well…. I’ll agree that it has an elected government, but not a democratically elected one as I would define it.  Compare that with Pakistan, where president Musharaf ousted the democratically elected government in a military coup, (rightly or wrongly) he’s not the leader chosen by the people and he has the launch codes to the nukes.

India at least has a secular democracy and while I have no specific approval or disapproval of their government, they do have a reasonably well elected parliament.  However nobody has raised concerns over their building and testing of nuclear weapons.

So what qualifications does a nation need to have a nuclear weapons programme?  Is it a specific religion? a specific type of government? or do they just need to use a particular supplier of components to build the weapons?

If we look at Britain, we have nuclear weapons.  Why?  Is there still a threat from Russia?  Russia has nuclear weapons, so I guess we need nuclear weapons so they don’t blow us up, even though we’re on speaking terms now.  Of course America needs a few, because they don’t want to get blown up by Russia, and I guess China too, who also have nuclear weapons.

I suspect that if the French minister’s worst fears are true, and Iran is building nuclear weapons that it is in response to America’s aggressive foreign policy in the Middle East.  If I was an Iranian citizen I would probably be worried about Bush describing Iran as evil.  It’s tantamount to saying, “when I’m done with Iraq and Afghanistan, you’re next”.

So in raising all these questions I’m not sure I’m any further forward in really understanding why they’re so keen to go after Iran.  I say if Iran is really making nuclear power stations, then fine.  Why should they be denied the same technology we have? Provided it is used responsibly.

I suspect that Iran is not an innocent nation in many respects, so I would not presume to stand in their corner of the ring.  However I would like a clearer explanation from our leaders as to the issues surrounding this nuclear issue with Iran.

I truthfully do not know the answer to these questions, but I keep watching the news and asking questions in the hope I will find the answers.