Ward Minter...Should the families of dead military personnel be banned from gathering at the Labour party conference

[Dom Tuk]

Would like WMs (as a professed veteran) and other Abers views on if the Labour party is right in banning any gatherings of families of the war dead. Would it not be a part of their grieving and healing process. Is it not paranoia and censorship from the goernment? They have held peaceful demonstrations in the past and there has been no trouble.

[Kathyan]

The UK is no longer a free country. If this government don't like something they ban it! The armed forces are ok when it comes to fighting illegal wars but after they are gone, the government don't want to know. I think it's disgusting. Tony Blair hasn't once been present when the bodies of our servicemen and women have been brought home. He should be ashamed of himself, but he isn't. If the Labour party have banned bereaved families from gathering outside the conference hall, then I for one will never vote for them again.

[mushroom25]

it was reported on Key103 this morning (manchester radio) that the ban has been imposed by the city council on "health & safety" grounds, and not directly by the labour party.

[lightoftruth]

You have the right to peaceful protest-so long as its over there in that corner where no one will see you.

[Lonnie]

You can take a safe bet that Manchester City Council got its directive from the Goverment, this is just another step towards a totalitarian state.

[Catso]

Health & safety, my a**e!

[mash]

If (any) government is not prepared to answer tough questions from the general public and face up to grieving relatives and friends then don't send people to war, justified or not.

[bricro]

Come back George Orwell all is forgiven!

[Oneeyedvic]

You may hate her, but Maggie Thatcher wrote to the parents / family of every person who was killed in the Falklands war.

On the basis that a labour party member was arrested on Anti Terror laws (those laws that gave control to the police force but would never be used erroneously)

and legislation has been brought in to move Brian Haw (http://www.parliament-square.org.uk/) - a peaceful protestor - why anyone should be suprised at this is beyond me.

[Little Willy]

The sooner we say goodbye and good riddance to Blair and his cronies the better..

[Ladyboyg1]

I can't see how this would actually be ' a part of the grieving and healing process'....it is purely a political statement...although one can naturally feel a certain amount of sorow for the families.At the end of the day those who choose the armed forces as a carreer , and their families should be all too aware of the ultimate price that faces them , whilst carrying out duties within their 'chosen' employment ..x

[Kathyan]

Why do people keep using the excuse that the armed forces personnel knew what they were letting themselves in for? Yes they do know when they sign up, but it still doesn't make it any easier when they come home in coffins, especially from an illegal war, and the Government won't even acknowledge them.

[Ladyboyg1]

nobody said it makes it easier, and it is a fact not an excuse.But making political statements from the deaths of others would seem to be immoral ...x

[keyvan]

Little Willy, traditionally we have never elected a government in this country. Political parties get our vote because of people's discontent with the previous one.
I have serious reservations as I am undecided on a real alternative to Labour as a credible party. Have seen nothing credible from Cameron's corner to yet convince me vote for the 'conservatives' .
It only goes to show that banning any gatherings of families of the war dead is a rediculous idea by this government to excercise paranoia in a democratic society and hide behind their pathetic attempts for cover ups.

[phaloides]

Our troops are not fighting for our country. they are pulling American chestnuts out of a very dangerous fire. The same in Iraq, a nice easy dictatorship, soon get rid of him,plenty of oil.nice big reconstruction contracts for my mates and so on.
There are more civilians killed in one month in Iraq than died in the twin towers and I don't see any flags and trumpets for them.

[anotheoldgit]

Ladyboyg1 & Ward~Minter you would make good bed fellows. When British Men & Women are banned from peaceful protest then it's time to call it a day.
Can you both imagine what it is like to lose someone very close to you, especially when it is lost through the sheer incompetence of a leader who is only preforming at the crack of a whip from his master on the otherside of the Atlantic Ocean.
Yes these lads & girls who put on the uniform of her Majesty know what is involved in defending this country against those that would do harm to the population including Ladyboyg1 & Ward~Minter. But they should not be fighting wars on behalf of foreign powers.
And the reason they are dying in such numbers is because we have been left carrying the can, along with the Canadians. Try asking those other NATO members (who have much superior equipment than our forces are issued with), and they just don't want to know. Their Politicians think far too much of their peoples, to put them in mortal danger.
Is it any wonder why these poor grieving relatives want to vent their anger? It worked for the Yanks when they took to the streets and brought the Vietnamese war to a close.

[Le Chat]

You must remember though, that if a group of British Christian-Hating muslims were forming a protest group, they would be welcomed with open arms .....

[Zen]

If you are ready for the adventure of a lifetime, TRY THIS:

Enter Pakistan, Afghanistan or Iraq illegally. Never mind immigration
quotas, visas, international law, or any of that nonsense.

Once there, demand that the local government provide free medical care for
you and your entire family.
Demand bilingual nurses and doctors. Demand free bilingual local government
forms, bulletins, etc.
Procreate abundantly.
Deflect any criticism of this allegedly irresponsible reproductive behaviour
with, "It is a cultural thing; you wouldn't understand."
Keep your British identity strong. Fly your national flag from your
rooftop, or proudly display it in your front window, or on your car bumper.


Speak only English at home and in public, and insist that your children do
likewise.
Demand classes on English culture in the Muslim school system.
Demand a local country driver licence. This will afford other legal rights
and will go far to legitimise your unauthorised, illegal, presence in
Pakistan, Afghanistan or Iraq.
Drive around with no liability insurance and ignore local traffic laws.

Insist that local country law enforcement teaches English to all its
Officers.
Organise protest marches against your host country, inciting violence
against non-Brits, non-Christians, and the government that let you in.

Good luck! You'll soon be dead.

Because it will never happen in Pakistan, Afghanistan or Iraq or any other
country in the world except right here in the UK For we are run by soft,
politically correct politicians, that are too scared to "offend"
anyone.

[johnizere]

spot on Zen.
W~M, I can only agree that a protest by bereaved relatives of our servicemen (and women) would probably be hijacked by the usual special brew swampy dreadlocked combat jacket clad crew.

"Kind old King George sent mother a note,
When he heard that father was gone,
....signed with his own rubber stamp."
Roger Waters.

I had noticed the lack of Bliars' presence as our boys were brought home, as oneyed says, Maggie at least had a pen...