Andy Newman, Socialist Unity, Swindon North

Constituency: Swindon North
Candidate Name: Andy Newman
Political Party: Socialist Unity

(1.) Did you believe Tony Blair's 45 minute claim?

No.

(2.) Do you believe the invasion of Iraq was legal?

It was illegal, but even if it had been legal it would still have been wrong.

(3.) Do you think the world is a safer place since the invasion & occupation of Iraq?

No. And MI5 had briefed Tony Blair to say that joining the attack on Iraq would increase the terrorist threat to Britain.

(4.) Do you support Military Families Against The War's call to bring the British troops home?

Yes. The government should immediately set a firm and irrevocable date within 6 to 12 weeks to withdraw all troops.

(5.) Do you think the Iraqi people have the right to resist the occupation?

The struggle by the Iraqi people to free themselves from foreign occupation is progressive. There are many strategies being adopted to achieve that end, for example the military struggle, participation in the political process, and through building civil institutions under Iraqi control, such as trade unions. It is the task of the peace movement in the West to support unconditionally all activities of the Iraqi people to oppose the occupation. We must not presuppose that opposition to the occupation is necessarily military, nor must we conclude that all terrorist actions in Iraq are aimed at removing the occupation forces. The assassination of trade unionists, and th! e murder of nurses, teachers, rail workers and oil workers, on the pretext of their alleged collaboration, is part of a struggle within Iraqi society to secure hegemony for forces seeking Ba'athist restoration or theocracy, and should be condemned. Our position should be to unconditionally support all forms of resistance by the Iraqi people, including but not only military resistance, and at the same time criticise those strategies and tactics that are counter-productive or would thwart the aspirations of Iraqis for a humane and democratic society.

(6.) Would you believe Tony Blair if he said he had secret information that Syria or Iran was a threat to Britain?

No. But I would point out that the USA also poses a very real threat to Venezuela and Cuba, and these countries also need our support.

(7.) Would you support military action against Syria or Iran?

No.

(8.) Do you approve of evidence obtained under torture being used in British courts?

No. Evidence gained in that way is useless, and condoning torture encourages more of it to happen,

(9.) Do you think the USA & Britain have the right to decide who can & can't have weapons of mass destruction?

The USA is the only country to have used nuclear weapons, and New Labour warmonger Geoff Hoon has confirmed the British government is prepared to use first strike. So these are the last people who should be trusted!

(10.) Do you think George Bush is a threat to world peace?

Oh yes.

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