Spectre
Spectre will be officially launched on the 24th September 2006 in Manchester. Spectre will comprise of an ‘umbrella’ support group of Independents. Founder members and candidates will be drawn from bereaved families of loved ones lost in the controversial Iraq conflict.
The initial target seats we intend to challenge will be those of Government Ministers who supported and continue to support the unlawful occupation of Iraq. This may take the form of any forthcoming by-election up to and including the next General Election.

We would like to stress from the outset that we are not anti-military and we do indeed support our troops wherever they may serve as they have to fulfil their duties without question. Spectre does have family members who still continue to serve in the Forces.

What we do oppose is the reckless use of our Armed Forces in an Iraq conflict based on deceit surrounding weapons of mass destruction. An occupation which flouted International Law and was not supported by the United Nations.

Furthermore troops were deployed to Iraq with serious concerns over the lack of suitable equipment, many of which have been well documented.

As Military families we accept that our loved ones may have to make the’ ultimate sacrifice’ and that the risk of death goes along with being a member of the Armed Forces. If a loved one dies in a just war based on truth and integrity, fully equipped backed by the UN and International Law then we have to accept our loss and quietly grieve. They are professional personnel attempting to do a professional job, the least they can expect is to be given the’ tools of their trade’.

If the above factors are not in place family members have every right to vehemently voice their concerns. Just because the Oath of Allegiance has been signed it does not automatically follow that he or she has signed away their ‘right to life’ and indeed should still be able to expect and is entitled to a duty of care from superiors whilst serving their country.

If a life is lost or serious injury sustained and a cavalier attitude has been displayed for their personal safety wellbeing then family members have every right to have accountability. One might even say their Oath of Allegiance has been betrayed.

Quote from the Oxford Coroner Nicholas Gardener following the Inquest in March 2006 into the murders of the six Royal Military Police in Iraq “It is easy to say that the risk of death goes along with being a soldier but when soldiers die in circumstances such as this then it is a different matter and not one for a Coroner to explore”. End of quote.

Iraq is a catastrophic political blunder costing tens of thousands of innocent lives and countless maimed. Bombing raids were frequently carried out without prior warning for civilians to evacuate. Operation Shock and Awe. All based on the misleading of parliament and lies about WMD and Iraq’s capabilities to strike within 45 minutes.

One has to remember Iraq had no links to 911 or with Al Qaeda and had secure tight borders.

Iraq is now a fermenting ground breeding terrorism in the process of spiralling into civil war with the following ‘meltdown of a sovereign state’.

This war of option not necessity led by our Prime Minister and President Bush has to date resulted in the deaths of 115 British Personnel and thousands also wounded.

The financial cost to the UK of this strategic failure is now running into several billion pounds. Funding that could have been productively spent elsewhere.
There needs to be set out clear and concise aims and objectives that are realistically achievable by the remaining seven thousand troops in troops who now find themselves on ‘mission impossible’. Definitive time lines for an exit strategy need to be implemented as a matter of urgency.

One only has to recall the Prime Minister in February 2003 when he addressed Parliament and said “Saddam can stay in power if he hands over his WMD”. Bringing democracy to Iraq was therefore not the original remit for the invasion.

A Government who is thus responsible for the resulting carnage and destruction leading to the break up of a country can not expect to walk through such a catastrophe with impunity. There will be repercussions and consequences for such actions. There has to be accountability!

Spectre fully intends to bring the Government to account both through the courts and the ballot box and welcome support from all quarters.

Spectre’s aims and objectives
1. Bring the Government to account for misleading Parliament over Iraq.
2. Stand against Ministers who voted for and continue to support the Iraq conflict.
3. Give support and a ‘voice’ to bereaved families.
4. Raise serving soldiers concerns over Iraq.
5. Highlight equipment and system failures.
6. Support wounded and psychologically traumatised troops returning from Iraq.
7. Continue to support serving soldiers in theatre.
8. Press the Government for clear aims and objectives realistically achievable for the remaining troops in Iraq. State a clear timescale for an exit strategy.

2005 Election Campaign
Reg Keys making his election speech. Picture: Paul Barker

I dedicate this campaign to my son Tom, who was killed in Iraq four days short of his 21st birthday. He was sent to war under very controversial circumstances.

If this war was justified then I would not be here today. If the war had been just I would have been grieving and not campaigning. If weapons of mass destruction had been found in Iraq, then I would not have come to Sedgefield, to the Prime Minister's stronghold, to challenge him on its legality.

I donÕt pretend to be a politician, and it has not been easy for me, but it has been a very rewarding campaign, and I think it is remarkable that an amateur like me has come from a standing start in one of the most traditional and safe Labour seats of all to achieve a share of the vote which is not so far short of that of an established political party.

For this I thank the team which built spontaneously around me, my wife Sally and my other son Richard who have stood behind me, and above all I thank the voters of Sedgefield who put their trust in me.

I hope in my heart that one day the Prime Minister will be able to say sorry to the families bereaved by this war, and that one day he will find himself able to visit in hospital the soldiers who have been wounded by it.

So, as well as to Tom, I would like to dedicate my campaign to all the British servicemen - and I am aware that some people do not know how many it is who have been killed - to all 88 British servicemen who have been killed and given their young lives in this conflict.

And especially to those Royal Military Policemen who have become known as The Six, who were abandoned and slaughtered in a filthy police station in Al Majar Al-Kabir.

Executive member of Blair's Labour Party resigns to support Reg Keys
At a press conference at the offices of the Keys for Sedgefield Campaign at 11.30 on Monday 18 April, Sedgefield Labour Party Executive Committee member Derek Cattell of Windlestone, Co Durham, will resign his membership of the party and join the campaign to elect Reg Keys as Independent MP for Sedgefield.

'I have been a member of the Labour Party for 30 years', Cattell will say, 'and this decision has been very hard for me. But I have become increasingly concerned by a growing number of issues associated with Tony Blair's leadership - none more so than the decision to go to war with Iraq. This decision has raised many questions regarding the honesty and integrity of his leadership. 'I have therefore decided to leave the Labour Party and sign Reg Keys' nomination papers, as Keys is the only candidate who can defeat Blair and is, indeed, well placed to do so.'

Bob Clay, Reg Keys' agent, said today:
'Derek's decision is indicative of a great deal of disquiet amongst Sedgefield Labour Party members and this will be reflected in the vote. We therefore call once again on the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties not to submit their candidates' nomination papers and give Reg Keys a clear run against Blair.'

The following people will be present:
Derek Cattell
Reg Keys
Martin Bell
Bob Clay

DAVID SHAYLER: TIME FOR A 'WORLD PORTILLO MOMENT'

• David Shayler is to pull out of the race for Sedgefield.
• He is asking his supporters and the people of Sedgefield to back Reg Keys, the Truth and Justice candidate who lost a son in Iraq.
• He is urging other candidates to follow suit, particularly the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats, because PM Tony Blair is a proven liar over the war... Read the full press release [Word doc]>>

ROSE GENTLE CALLS ON SNP TO STAND DOWN IN EAST KILBRIDE
Campaign For Justice For Gordon Gentle, General Election 2005,16.04.05

Rose Gentle this afternoon threw down a challenge to Alex Salmond and
called on the SNP to stand down in East Kilbride, Strathhaven & Lesmahagow. Speaking after the SNP said they were unable to stand down
because of a constitutional commitment to provide every Scots elector with the option to vote for independence, Rose Gentle challenges Alex Salmond: "I support independence, SNP should stand down. Alex Salmond has sent a message of support to Reg Keys who is standing against Tony Blair in Sedgefield.

" I was very disappointed that Mr Salmond has not seen fit to contact me in any way regarding the Campaign For Justice For Gordon Gentle or my candidacy in East Kilbride.
" I have been working closely with Reg Keys in the Military Families Against War campaign.
" I challenge Mr Salmond to give his support to the family of a young soldier killed in Iraq from a Scottish regiment as he is doing for Reg Keys in Sedgefield.
" I support the call for Scottish independence.
" An independent Scotland would not have sent troops to fight an imperialist war in Iraq and my son would not have been killed.
" If elected as MP for East Kilbride I would support the fight for an independent Scotland and I call on the SNP to stand down."
The Scottish Socialist Party has already stood down in favour of Rose's campaign and it is now time for the SNP to make a decision, do you put your 'opposition' to the war before or after your desire to make political capital for yourselves?"

Campaign For Justice For Gordon Gentle, General Election 2005, 14/04/05
Rose Gentle this afternoon welcomed the news that the Save The ScottishRegiments campaign are standing down in East Kilbride, Strathhaven & Lesmahagow to allow Rose Gentle a clear run at Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram.
Rose said this afternoon;
"I appreciate the fact that Save The Scottish Regiments have stood down to give me a clear run at Adam Ingram. "I appreciate the fact that Save The Scottish Regiments understand that I am supporting serving Scottish soldiers by calling for them to be brought home from Iraq. "I have been told that there is outrage amongst serving Scottish troops in Iraq that they have been disenfranchised and are unable to express their opposition to the Iraq war in this election. "I pledge to represent those serving members of Scottish regiments in this election. "I now call on all other parties who have expressed opposition to the Iraq war to stand down in East Kilbride. "The SNP, the Green Party and the Liberal Democrats could help punish the warmongering Armed Forces Minister if they now stand down and help achieve justice for my son, killed in the illegal war and occupation of Iraq."

Socialists back Gentle candidacy...More>>
Glasgow mother to contend armed forces minister's seat...More>>

Contact George McNeilage 07780757415

52 Templeland Road
Pollok
Glasgow G535PG
0141 883 4536

make cheques for Rose Gentle's campaign to 'Justice for Gordon Gentle'

ROSE GENTLE"S ELECTION STATEMENT
I have decided to stand in the forthcoming General Election in the constituency of East Kilbride, Straven & Lesmahagow against the sitting Labour MP Adam Ingram, the Armed Forces Minister.

Many of you are aware of my story. Last summer my son Gordon was killed in Iraq. He was one of 86 Britons who have died in Iraq, out of a total 1,701 coalition troop deaths. Iraqi deaths, including civilians, are estimated to be in the range of 100,000.

The reason we went to war in Iraq was to rid the world of the threat of weapons of mass destruction. We were told that weapons of mass destruction could strike our cities with only 45 minutes warning.

That was a lie – one lie among many. Our government lied to us. It was a lie that cost my son his life. They should be ashamed of themselves.

If my son had died for a noble cause, I would be just as heartbroken. If my son had died defending his country, I would have cried just as many tears. A noble and just cause would be some wee consolation for my boy’s death.

But my son died for a lie and I want justice. Justice is two things. It is seeing that people get what they deserve. And it is making things right, the way they are supposed to be. A just society would be one in which young people join the military to serve their country with honour and not because they have no other economic options.

Like many youngsters across the country, Gordon joined up for the promise of escaping poverty for a better future – to travel and learn a trade. Yet with only 6 months training he was sent to die in Iraq, without even having the proper equipment.

We need policies which offer hope for the future. Many people feel betrayed because they believe this Governments priorities are all wrong. I believe the billions of pounds wasted on this criminal war would be better spent on providing good pensions for our elderly and decent jobs for our youngsters.

Adam Ingram and all those other MPs who voted for war in the House of Commons share the blame for the death of Gordon and all the other victims of Bush and Blair’s war for oil.

3 days ago I was informed that the military have been investigating Gordon’s death since February and that the investigation is due to run until June. My family have received no information about the investigation, and nor have the Barrister or Lawyers that are representing us in our effort to sue the government over Gordon’s death.

The leaders of our country who dragged us into this war will probably not get the justice they deserve. My son Gordon is never coming back.

But we can make things right. We can elect a government that listens to the people. We can elect a government that will not lie. We must bring our troops home safe, where they belong.
My name is Rose Gentle. I am standing for Parliament. I am standing for justice.

Contact George McNeilage 07780757415

52 Templeland Road
Pollok
Glasgow G535PG
0141 883 4536

make cheques for Rose Gentle's campaign to 'Justice for Gordon Gentle'


Reg Keys and Martin Bell campaigning in Newton Aycliffe town centre.

Reg Keys, founder member of Military Families Against the War, launched his campaign to contest the Sedgefield constituency in the forthcoming general election on 6 April 2005, in Ferryhill, Co Durham.

Introducing Reg Keys, Bob Clay, former Labour MP for Sunderland North who is acting as agent, said:
" We will be running a serious campaign with a full voter canvass. I believe Reg Keys has a real chance of winning this constituency from Blair and I consider it an honour to support him."

Martin Bell, former Independent MP for Tatton, said:
" Reg Keys has rapidly established himself as Tony Blair's main challenger. For once, an election in Sedgefield will be a contest, not a procession. A vote for Reg is a vote for real democracy.

From my own experience in Tatton, and Dr Richard Taylor's in Wyre Forest, I know that it takes three essential elements for an Independent campaign to succeed: a good cause, a well-known candidate and an unpopular incumbent. In Sedgefield we have all three.

I count it an honour and a privilege to support Reg Keys. He is not a politician, but he is the sort of man that a politician should be: brave, committed, caring and truthful. His campaign has started brilliantly. It has the potential to change the political landscape."

Musician Brian Eno said:
"I sense a process going on in government, led by Blair himself, of the gradual dismemberment of democracy. I regard Reg KeysÕs campaign as a way of halting this process and of separating off the Blair tendency from the Labour Party itself."

Reg Keys said:
"Tony Blair led this country into an illegal war on the basis of weapons of mass destruction which did not exist, and he asks us, with his schoolboy grin, to put this behind us. IÕm sorry Mr Blair, but there has to be accountability Ð you cannot just walk away from this with impunity. I am here to hold you to account for the human and material costs of this war."

Further events will include the Blair Challenge and the Keys Manifesto launch.

CONTACT:
If you want to help, we are currently leafleting and canvassing every day from campaign headquarters at:

Reg Keys Campaign
Ground Floor, Block 2
St Cuthberts House
Durham Way North
Aycliffe Industrial Park
Newton Aycliffe
Co Durham DL5 6BL

For campaign updates, please check our website:
www.keysforsedgefield.org.uk
If you would like to make a donation to help the campaign, please send cheques made payable to "Keys for Sedgefield Campaign" to the campaign headquarters.

Keys for Sedgefield Campaign
01740 664942

PRESS RELEASE: ELECT REG KEYS
"The war was based on two lies. The first was that we were endangered from weapons of mass destruction. The second was that Iraq was somehow to blame for 9/11. It has been a tragedy for all of the families that have lost members.
As many as one hundred thousand may have died, half of them women and children.
If this is not a war crime, what is it?"
Professor Stephen Hawking
November 2004

Dear Friend,
Reg Keys lost his son Tom in Iraq, in a war declared illegal by Kofi Annan. He is one of many bereaved parents who feel betrayed by our Prime Minister.
Tony Blair was instrumental in leading us into a war on evidence that never existed, on threats of attack for which Iraq had no capability.

Reg Keys has decided to stand in the Sedgefield constituency against the Prime Minister at the forthcoming election.

He needs your help. We are confident that Reg Keys can be the anti-war unity candidate standing in Sedgefield. He is backed by all the military families who have spoken out against the war.

Our democracy has been undermined by the fact that not only were we taken to war against the wishes of the people of this country but Parliament was lied to by our leading politician.

Will you support Reg Keys? A small contribution will enable Reg to make his voice heard. We will be placing advertisements in national newspapers publicising Reg's reasons for standing in this election.

Time is short. Please help!