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by Reg Keys Thu, 19 May 2005 Dear sir/madam Can I please start by saying how deaply moved I was by the program I watched last night on TV about Mr Reg Key's fight to get elected in sedgefield. I am an ex-servicewoman who last year left the British Army as I did not believe in the war on iraq. I went to the Gulf in February 2003 and worked in the military hospital in the build up and during the war. I didnt want to go as i didnt agree with the war, and with all the hype about weapons of mass distruction, I can honestly say, myself and my husband (who is still serving in the RAF) have never felt so scared in our lives. Of course though I had no choice as I was made to go under military law. When the war started and the loud bangs were going off in the distance we knew that these were Saddams bombs. We were allways in our respirators at the start and we all feared for our lives as we were all convinced that these bombs were weapons of mass distruction. This was brought on by Mr Blair going on about these "so-called" weapons of mass destruction. All the hype in the news in the build up for war has never been justified. When I got back from the Gulf I had to give one years notice to leave the Army. In this time I was told I was going back to the Gulf. Since coming back from the Gulf I still have nightmares 2 years on and suffer with anxiety and depression, I was given some treatment and taken off the list to go. I dread my husband having to go. It really upsets me when I hear on the news about another death in Iraq, and it brings back all the anxiety's that i have about the place. Mr Blair is so wrong about this war and he will never begin to understand what it is like to go there and fear for your life. I would like to give my support to your cause and wish you all the luck with your campaign. Thu, 19 May 2005 Dear Reg, I'm sorry I don't know if this will reach you. I hope it does. I have just watched the BBC1 programme about your campaign against Blair. I cannot really describe how moved I was by your story and by your family's dignity. I wish you all the best in your quest for justice for your son and all the others who have needlessly lost their lives or who have been wounded. best wishes to all at mfaw! yours sincerely Names witheld Wed, 18 May 2005 This is a message for Reg Keys and all those against the unjust war in Iraq. I have just watched on TV the documentary about Reg and his contest with Blair in the constituency of Sedgefield. My son is not of age to serve in the military but, If he was and had been killed in Iraq, I would be pursuing this government for the murder of my son. I am not a pacifist and I believe there is a time when aggression is necessary but Blair was just a lacky in Bush's 'unfinished business' and the protection of oil supplies . I fully support Reg and his struggle in Blairs 'back yard' during the Election. Blair did not know where to look during Reg's speech after the count and could not have failed to move anyone who watched the programme. Tony Blair and his government did the most heinous act that any administration can do and that is to take its people into an unjust war. I have proudly voted Labour all my life but no more. The sad thing is the alternatives are not much better and signals a bad omen for democracy. Good luck to Reg and all in your group in the struggle for recognition and justice. Chris Stevens Surrey On 17th May 2005 Dear Reg Just watched One Life program and we both thought you and your family were brilliant. We have been part of the Stop the War/RESPECT movement for the last 3 years and helped with the Bradford RESPECT Campaign during the election. The One Life programme and George Galloway in the USA will really wind up the war criminals. I like the end where you say you will persue Blair till the end......Reg you are not alone....... The programme will be an inspiration to hundreds of military families in the UK........... Lions led by Donkeys is what they describe the first world war..........Lions led by Liars is the 21st century equivalent. Keep up the stuggle Respect and Peace Steve Sally and Rosa (7) Tue, 17 May 2005 I have just watched this extremely moving documentry about one of your representatives, Reg Keyes and felt complelled to find a way of contacting him (and all families affected by war really) and offering my compassion and support. I am a 16 year old A level student and as such, unfortunatly have no way of providing monetary support, but my thoughts will allways be with the families of those lost in Iraq. Thankyou so much for bringing this to mine and everyones attention, you are doing a good and honourable job, and your work should be recognised by more people, hopefully this programme will help. Good luck with the future and best regards Nick Slack Hello, One of my sons is ex-regular army and could still be called up at any time. My other son is in the TA and spent 6 months in Iraq last year. Thank God he came home in one piece (at least physically) but, like all war families, we have suffered. I realise this is nothing compared to the agony the families have suffered whose loved ones didn't come back and my heart bleeds for them. My partner and I went to the huge pre-war demonstration in London and were very angry that the voice of so many people was simply ignored. I have always believed this to be an illegal war and feel very strongly that Blair should be tried before an international court. I should be very grateful if you could let me have more information about the legal action against Tony Blair. I´m just pleased that action is being taken against this war criminal who is no better than Hitler. Kind regards, A Military Mother Tue, 10 May 2005 Would you please forward the reaction of an ordinary father of a son to the dignified way Reg Keys conducted himself during the general election campaign. I am a Welshman who is also a Welsh Nationalist. Reg Keys is an Englishman who has chosen to live in Wales. But I feel a great affinity with him. Had my son died for Tony Blair's grand plan I simply don't know what I would have done. I sometimes feel that I would have found a way to kill him. Thanks to Reg Keys - and honourable people like him - Blair is now, at least, politically dead. Yours sincerely, Lyn Ebenezer. 10th May 2005 Dear Reg, I sat up late on election night in anticipation of the results from Sedgefield. Bearing in mind myself and my husband are currently posted in Germany, we were an hour ahead! But I just had to do it and in my heart of hearts I was with you all the way and had a real hope that something could be done to oust blair. Although the result was not the one I wished for, you can be so proud of what you acheived on that night. It was an emotional moment to see just how much you had acheived and how many people thought, as many of us do, that this war on terror is wrong. When it all feels too much and like progress is not being made, you can always take some comfort in the knowledge that so many people support you, your hard work and all that you have done so far. My husband spent 7 months in Iraq last year. He returned home safely and I cannot begin to imagine the pain you and your family must be feeling at the loss of your son. I know that for me those 7 months were the longest I have ever spent. It was a comfort to find Military Families Against the war and discover that I wasn't the only person with a loved one in the Armed Forces who opposed this illegal war. I wish you all the very best and no matter how hard the struggle there are so many people who support you and your efforts. I'm sure your son would be very proud of you, as you no doubt are of him. My continued support. Charlotte Wildgoose. Visit the Website: http://groups.msn.com/FamiliesofUKForcesinIraq Mon, 9 May 2005 Sir, I was deeply moved by Reg Keys speech. You, and all those who have lost sons in Iraq, deserve the nations sympathy and support. You have made your views known with great dignity and I would support you in any further actions you should chose to take. I have no connection with the military but I hope, for your sakes and for the conscience of the nation, your legal action is successful and true justice is served. Chris Howarth May 3 2005 Dear Tony Blair I consider you and your friend George Bush are personally responsible for all the deaths and mayhem in Iraq from the 100,000 civilians to Anthony Wakefield, Ken Bignall and Margaret Hassan and all the subsequent deaths caused by the insurgency. How you can sleep is beyond me. That you seek re-election is simply beyond belief. You stubbornly refuse to apologise for causing this disastrous war but you must acknowledge some responsibility for the thousands of deaths you have caused. It is no use keeping on repeating that Iraq is a better place without Saddam. So is South Africa without de Klerk, East Germany without Honecker and yet change was achieved peacefully not by the reckless waste of lives of up to 100,000 civilians and thousands of US, British (87 lives) and Iraqui soldiers. This country would be a better place without you as sadly through your actions you have wrecked the Labour Party's honourable history as a party which would never, before you came on the scene, have considered going to war to support a Republican president in an illegal war. I was a child in WW2 and know the horrors of war and being bombed. You are naiive where war is concerned and unfit to take decisions, which cause the death of others. You have never reflected on the horrors of the bombing you inflicted on Baghdad and appear to have no sense of regret. I don't recall a two-minute silence for the dead Iraqi civilians. You don't even care to count them but leave that to the heroic young American girl Marla Rusicka who was killed recently in Baghdad. Doesn't even that shame you? You keep repeating that you don't lie while everyone knows that you have lied and misled Parliament (unforgivable!) and the British people to justify your own decisions. If, as seems likely, you win the election it will only be because your main rival is abhorrent too and people don't want a return to the Tory years. If you win by even a small majority please don't be tempted to claim that you won the Iraq argument. For millions of us this will never be true. I remember when politicians resigned for far less than you are guilty of. If you had integrity you would have resigned when WMD were not found instead of twisting the case for invasion to regime change. You keep saying you made a difficult decision for the country. What terrible judgment you showed. Personally I think you deserve to be put on trial as a war criminal. However, the least I, and many others, demand is an unequivocal apology for the war. I also demand an assurance that, if elected, you will not join George Bush when he attacks Iran. Yours sincerely Bryan Andrews Ex Labour voter Monday 9th May 2005 Congratulations to Reg Keys. His courage in facing up to the odds in Sedgefield was truly an inspiration to us all. Who else has made Tony Blair stand still, shut up, and listen to the truth? I know Reg to be simply a nice chap, a gentleman. His dignity was a highlight of Election 2005 and will not be forgotten. Best regards, Des James Father of the late Cheryl Marie James whose death at the Deepcut barracks in 1995 remains a mystery; the refusal of a public inquiry into her death and three others at Deepcut clearly being a priority for the last Labour Government. Monday 9th May 2005 From: Commando Well done, Rose Gentle, We watched you on television in Spain, You spoke up well for all of us who never get chance to speak into a microphone. Your message was loud & clear to thousands of us ,who feel as you do. also Reg Keys who also showed great courage on the day. Sunday 8th May 2005 Dear Reg and Campaigners. First of all I would like to congratulate you on a job well done, in the time you have had from start to finish I think you measured up immensely and I know that there are a lot of people out their who are heartily proud of you I being one of them. Reg you showed what backbone is, and proved to Blair that you are a man of honour and I believe you had that disgrace of a so-called leader in a sweat the night of the campaign. If only he had, half of your integrity this country would be a much better place. Good luck to you for the future I truly hope that you get Justice for your Son Tom and all the other service men that died with him. God Bless you and yours, Marie A Brown Saturday 7th May 2005 In the Daily Mail on Wednesday 4th July 2005 , Paul Eastham, Deputy Political Editor, reported that the Chancellor, whilst defending Mr Blair's decision to invade Iraq, told BBC 1's Breakfast programme that "We believed we were making the right decisions in the British national ECONOMIC interests." We haven't seen or heard the above before in any of the masses of reporting on the subject. Should it have also escaped your notice, we though it would be a good idea to send the information on to you in case it can help your cause for which we are most sympathetic. Ron & Pam Linnett. Wednesday 4th May 2005 My son served in Iraq and fortunately came home. I would like to offer my wholehearted support to you all. Regards and best wishes. A. Bensley A Mother's Perspective Sally Keys, I am the woman behind the man, the man being Reg Keys currently standing against Tony Blair, in the constituency of Sedgefield in Durham, and would like to offer my slant on the situation I find myself in. May I add at this point that I fully support Reg in the quest to rid the government of a possibly corrupt Prime Minister who believes the general public have very short memories. 'When good men do nothing evil prevails'. How did those at Westminster miss all that was going on under their noses time and time again? 'Hindsight is failed foresight' I am weary of being asked how I feel, I feel like any other mother would when her child has been brutally murdered and wiped from her life without him making his expected imprint on the world. I feel I am trapped in a traumatic emotional web with no exit at the end of the tunnel. Hopefully Tom followed 'the light' along with his five colleagues and they are loved now as they were in life. I have many questions for Mr. Blair but as we all have noticed he only answers those he believes in his mind to be the truth on what must be the worst period of his life and likely to become much more controversial. We must fear Mr. Blair because he has the ability to ruin lives of good decent people. Reg my husband is offering a way to remove this man. Use your vote wisely and think of your future. The winds of change are due and need to turn. Mr. Blair has worn out his welcome. Bearing in mind we now have the Freedom of Information Act I would ask for the following to be made public: Why does Mr. Blair refuse to have a debate with Mr. Keys in his own constituency and refuse to answer his letter? In fact he seems to be avoiding Sedgefield. Is he worried by Mr. Keys presence or is he not interested in his own constituency? When will the minutes of the War Cabinet Meetings concerning the Iraq invasion be released for us all to see? Are our fine Armed forces killing illegally - paid mercenaries because Mr. Blair believes? When will Lord Goldsmiths advice in full be released, if there is not a problem why not just release it? Where has Alistair Campbell been, he was in charge of communication and media control surely he has answers for us all, is he back to spin again? Where did the Dossier on Iraq come from with its caveats? The internet is very interesting is it not! Why has Kofi Annan and the United Nations allowed an invasion for regime change, I always presumed it was illegal by constitutional law? Why is the British Government allowing this man Tony Blair a breaker of international law to take place in an election? He should be arrested and imprisoned, roll on impeachment medieval or not. If the above questions were answered I would feel more at peace, but then there is Geoff Hoon and the Ministry of Defence to consider but that is another story! Sally Keys Wife of a decent man and Mother of two beautiful sons. Letter to Reg Keys Dear Reg As an ex-serviceman and former life-long member of the Labour Party (not so -called New Labour) I want to wish you the very best of luck in your fight for justice. What happened to your son and his comrades was a disgrace. If I lived in the Sedgefield Constituency you would certainly get my vote, in fact I would be out on the streets for you between now and polling day. Best of luck mate. Hope you give Blair something to think about. Name supplied David Shayler: The proof of Blairs lies Detail September 2002 We cannot, of course, publish the detailed raw intelligence. I and other ministers have been briefed in detail on the intelligence and are satisfied as to its authority.Ó Tony Blair, Foreword to the Iraq's Weapons of Mass Destruction dossier 23 September 2003 There was no discussion with the Prime Minister that I can recall about the 45 minutes point in connection with battlefield or strategic systems. Indeed I do not remember a discussion with the Prime Minister about the 45 minutes point at all. John Scarlett in evidence to the Hutton inquiry 4 February 2004 Richard Ottaway (Croydon, South) (Con): The Prime Minister says that all the intelligence about the 45 minutes was made available. As he will be well aware, it has subsequently emerged that this related to battlefield weapons or small-calibre weaponry. In the eyes of many, if that information had been available, those weapons might not have been described as weapons of mass destruction threatening the region and the stability of the world. When did the Prime Minister know that information? In particular, did he know it when the House divided on 18 March? The Prime Minister: No. I have already indicated exactly when this came to my attention. It was not before the debate on 18 March last year. Comment Both of the Prime Minister's above statements cannot be true. Either: he was 'briefed in detail' on the intelligence for the September dossier, in which case, he must have included the claim regarding the 45-minutes knowing that it only related to 'battlefield munitions' and not long-range weapons of mass destruction; Or: he was only told the true nature of the 45-minute claim after the 18 March 2003, in which case he clearly was not briefed on the 'detail' for the September dossier. John Scarlett's statement clearly supports this version. We therefore have to conclude that Blair lied in the foreword to the sexed-up September dossier when he said he had been 'briefed in detail' on the intelligence, in order to scare people into supporting an unjustifiable and illegal war. Letter from Rev John Mann John Mann has supported Rose Gentle over a long period Dear Military Families When I first moved to Glasgow, where I serve St. James' Parish Church in Pollok, I would tell people that I came here in order to serve a church where no one had voted for George Bush. That line usually provoked a laugh and it allowed me state up front where I was coming from. In America I had been opposed to the war as a matter of principle. There is also a trend for the politics of American empire to co-opt religion for its own purposes. The same thing empires have done throughout history. My opposition to the war turned into a visceral reaction when Gordon Gentle, a young man from my parish, was killed in Basra last June. His parents encouraged me to tell the truth at his funeral. With some trepidation I said that the war in Iraq was based on misinformation and lies and that George Bush and Tony Blair were responsible for Gordon?s death, and - "I have only three words to say and may they someday be inscribed upon the tablet of your hearts, 'shame on you'." That quote got some play in the media and since then I have been asked to speak at various rallies and to write occasional articles such as this one. The message is simple and clear. The politicians lied and as a result tens of thousands of people have died. The ramifications of that should be apparent. It was never my intention to become an anti-war activist to the degree to which I seem to have become. I do think it is important for people of a religious persuasion to speak out on the real issues of peace and justice. History has a way of ultimately telling the truth. History will tell the truth of our time. But in the meantime, it is important for truth to be told in order to stand against the forces that seek to write their own version of history. Someone recently asked me if I was concerned that my activities on behalf of Rose Gentle might pose some conflict of interest with my work as a parish pastor. I replied if that if one loses one's job because of a just cause, then it was not a job worth having. In reality I think my job is safe because many of the people I serve are of a similar opinion on the war. One of the reasons I am so committed to this cause is because I never again want another family to go through what the Gentle family has experienced with the death of their son. I've attached a few pieces that you can look at and use as you wish: Thank you again for this opportunity to share some thoughts on a very important subject. Take Care John Mann Letter: Thank you for taking action Dear Rose I admire your courage and the actions you decided to take, I congratulate you. Please rest assured that your son Gordon didn't die for nothing. Even though am a nobody, as a father of three you have my full support. I hope one day I could be of more help. Saddah Aziz Prestonpans Eastlothian |
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