Craig Murray, Blackburn

link / contact details for potential supporters

craigjmurray@tiscali.co.uk
www.craigmurray.co.uk

i.
what do you think is the most important issue in this election?

The war.  If a government can launch an illegal war against the wishes of the vast majority of the population, and pay no price, we are all in deep
trouble.

ii.
why did you make the decision to stand in this constituency and for this party (as an independent)?

Because Jack Straw's position as Foreign Secretary makes him next to Blair in responsibility for the war, and because Jack Straw personally took the decision that we should obtain intelligence from foreign security services, including Uzbek, got under torture. 

iii.
what kind of vote are you expecting on May 5th?

I expect 15,000 votes - which should be enough to win.

iv.
aside from the vote what are you hoping to get out of this campaign?

National publicity for the issues at ii.

v.
in your view what is the greatest threat to our civil liberties at the
moment? 

Tony Blair.  It is incredible that on the basis of so-called intelligence, obtained through torture, people in this country can be detained without
trial, can be subject to house arrest and can be placed under impossible social restrictions.

vi.
Blair has taken us to war three times since coming to power (not including the occasional ad hoc bombing raid) in the Balkans, Afghanistan and Iraq. Can war ever be justified?

It can on occasion be justified - I would have thought Hitler.  But Blair's wars cannot.

vii.
There is very little left to privatise in this country, if you had your way what would be brought into public hands?

The railways and the utility companies.  Housing association stock. Everything under the PFI.

viii.
Some environmental campaigners have started talking about nuclear power as a way to bring down CO2 emissions - what do you think of this?

They must be bloody nuts.  I am not, however, opposed to experiments with fusion.

ix.
Asylum and immigration will be central issues in this election. What action on this issue would you like to see the next government push through?

Making it easier for the UK to get the skilled workforce it will need in the next thirty years, in part by increased immigration.  More training and
helping people into work.  A fairer system to help genuine asylum applicants.

x.
What question do you wish was on this list but doesn't appear?

Tuition fees.  Higher and further education should be a right, not the preserve of the wealthy.
 

2005