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IRAQ Reckoning Template.Qxd 04/08/2016 12:35 Page 63
IRAQ Reckoning_Template.qxd 04/08/2016 12:35 Page 63 IRAQ – The Reckoning ‘the fatuous irony of millions of liberalminded people taking to the streets, effectively to defend the most illiberal regime on earth’ Blair to Bush, 26 March 2003 IRAQ Reckoning_Template.qxd 04/08/2016 14:33 Page 64 64 Star Wars starts wars The voluminous and longoverdue report of the Iraq Inquiry, prepared by Sir John Chilcot, was finally published in July 2016. Pressure from families of service personnel killed in Iraq eventually hastened the protracted process, which commenced in 2009, six years after the invasion of Iraq led by the United States with prominent UK support. The illegal war on Iraq was always about much more than the prime actors, but Tony Blair’s impatience to oust Saddam and wilful ignorance about the absence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq leap from his correspondence with President Bush, compiled from the Chilcot Report and reprinted here. Charged with ‘learning the lessons’ of the misadventure in Iraq, the UK has gone to war in Libya and Syria while the report of the Iraq Inquiry was under preparation. Notable and informed critics of the war, such as Dr Brian Jones, formerly of Defence Intelligence Staff, have died before having a chance to see whether all their efforts to expose the fixing of intelligence in the UK proved worth while. Reg Keys, whose son, Tom, age 20 years, was one of six Military Police killed in southern Iraq in June 2003, has consistently campaigned for justice for those who died in this unnecessary war. -
People, Places and Policy
People, Places and Policy Set within the context of UK devolution and constitutional change, People, Places and Policy offers important and interesting insights into ‘place-making’ and ‘locality-making’ in contemporary Wales. Combining policy research with policy-maker and stakeholder interviews at various spatial scales (local, regional, national), it examines the historical processes and working practices that have produced the complex political geography of Wales. This book looks at the economic, social and political geographies of Wales, which in the context of devolution and public service governance are hotly debated. It offers a novel ‘new localities’ theoretical framework for capturing the dynamics of locality-making, to go beyond the obsession with boundaries and coterminous geog- raphies expressed by policy-makers and politicians. Three localities – Heads of the Valleys (north of Cardiff), central and west coast regions (Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and the former district of Montgomeryshire in Powys) and the A55 corridor (from Wrexham to Holyhead) – are discussed in detail to illustrate this and also reveal the geographical tensions of devolution in contemporary Wales. This book is an original statement on the making of contemporary Wales from the Wales Institute of Social and Economic Research, Data and Methods (WISERD) researchers. It deploys a novel ‘new localities’ theoretical framework and innovative mapping techniques to represent spatial patterns in data. This allows the timely uncovering of both unbounded and fuzzy relational policy geographies, and the more bounded administrative concerns, which come together to produce and reproduce over time Wales’ regional geography. The Open Access version of this book, available at www.tandfebooks.com, has been made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives 3.0 license. -
Iraq Rage Drives Family Furies That Will Harry Blair at the Ballot Box | the Times
14/05/2015 Iraq rage drives family furies that will harry Blair at the ballot box | The Times Share via Iraq rage drives family furies that will harry Blair at the ballot box By Burhan Wazir Published at 12:00AM, April 26 2005 In key constituencies across the country the casualties of war are making sure that they are heard THIS is about rage. Incandescent anger. The kind of fingercurling, jawtightening fury that happens to everyone at least once in their lifetime. As Rose Gentle put it: “You get so angry that you can’t see straight. You get so angry that nothing else matters. The rage stops you from grieving for your dead son.” The election, once pungent with the odour of familiarity has, in a number of constituencies, turned into a boxing match with a host of alternative and independent candidates launching a jeremiad against key ministerial constituencies. In seats such as East Kilbride, Strathaven & Lesmahagow Birmingham Hodge Hill and Sedgefield, Labour Party workers, fearful of being shouted at, keep a low profile from antiwar candidates. “Tony Blair lied, my son died,” shouted Rose Gentle, 40, campaigning in East Kilbride, a blighted new town outside Glasgow, seemingly cursed by cold weather, where she is challenging Adam Ingram, the Armed Forces Minister. As wind and rain whistled through wide avenues, Mrs Gentle, whose son Gordon, 19, died in Iraq last summer while serving with the Royal Highland Fusiliers, dropped leaflets doortodoor accompanied by supporters. “I just take it day by day,” she said, rubbing her hands together. -
SLR I25.Indd
scottishleftreviewIssue 25 November/December 2004 Contents Grand scale medicine ...................................12 Peter Murray Comment ........................................................2 Choosing who decides ..................................14 Briefing ...........................................................5 Bill Butler The first ills to cure.........................................6 Spinning off track..........................................16 Jean Turner Kevin Lindsay Extinguishing a beacon...................................8 Irresponsible government ............................18 Dr George Venters Scott Vietch A pound of health..........................................10 Whose hills?..................................................20 Robert McMaster Iain Frazer Grigor world’s governments hold their cash reserves in Dollars, primarily because oil is still traded in Dollars. Were this situation to change Comment (for example, were oil to be traded in Euros) then America could quickly make Argentina look like a stable economy. (In fact, one ou give them the Enlightenment – rational thought, of the most telling answers to the questions “why Iraq? Why now” Ymodernity, the seeds of tolerance – and they throw it back is that in 2000 Sadam Hussein started trading his oil in Euros. It in your face like an unwanted present. Scotland has reason was an act of political spite, but as the Euro grew stronger and to take the result of the US elections personally. For the first stronger against the Dollar is actually made Iraq a lot of money. time since the fall of the Ottoman Empire we face the serious This was, for America, a petrifying precedent.) No, stop believing prospect of a globally-significant faith-based Empire, and the business commentator classes which are perpetually aroused the people of America can reasonably expect to drift rapidly by American capitalism; if you want to find an economy which has towards a fundamentalist Old Testament version of Shiara the underlying characteristics to dominate start looking to China. -
THE DEATH of BAHA MOUSA the Death of Baha Mousa GERRY SIMPSON*
THE DEATH OF BAHA MOUSA The Death of Baha Mousa GERRY SIMPSON* [Between March 2003 and September 2004, 100 000 Iraqis are believed to have died as a consequence of the invasion of Iraq on 20 March 2003. Baha Mousa, an Iraqi hotel clerk was one of them. Mr Mousa died in Basra on or around 15 September 2003, after sustaining 93 separate injuries while in the custody of British soldiers belonging to the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment. This think piece is about the law produced and invoked by his death.] CONTENTS I Introduction II Unlawful Conditioning III Common Law Crime IV War Crime V Human Rights Violation VI Baha Mousa How violent Schultz had sounded over the telephone. ‘I want justice,’ he had said. I wonder how many murders have been committed, and how many wars have been fought with that as a slogan … Justice is a thing that is better to give than to receive, but I am sick of giving it … I think it should be a prerogative of the gods.1 I INTRODUCTION On 14 September 2003, in Basra, southern Iraq, a hotel receptionist named Baha Mousa2 was detained by soldiers of the British Army’s Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment. Mousa and several other Iraqis were brought to a detention facility operated by the United Kingdom Armed Forces, and formerly run by Saddam Hussein’s cousin, Ali Hassann al-Majid, better known as ‘Chemical Ali’. Thirty-six hours later, Mr Mousa’s family were informed that Mr Mousa had died during detention. A subsequent post-mortem revealed that he had received 93 separate injuries, including a broken nose and fractured ribs — other prisoners suffered serious kidney damage.3 The reaction (on the part of the military, the legal profession, the media and the British establishment) to this incident tells us a little about the way * Gerry Simpson is a Professor of International Law at the London School of Economics. -
View Into Invest NI, and in the Context of the — Have Benefited Greatly from the Acumen Programme
NORTHERN IRELAND tackling the challenges of economic recovery and pandemic flu. We will continue to work together in ASSEMBLY decision-making regarding contingency planning. The discussion on the economy re-emphasised the need for continued co-operation and the sharing of Tuesday 29 September 2009 economic information. It was agreed that co-operation between Her Majesty’s Government and the devolved The Assembly met at 10.30 am (Mr Deputy Speaker Administrations in tackling the recession and preparing [Mr McClarty] in the Chair). for the economic recovery through the JMC and the economic summits in Wales and Scotland had worked Members observed two minutes’ silence. well and would continue. A number of issues relating to finance were raised, including further public sector capital acceleration; MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS difficulties over bank lending, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises; and funding to deal Joint Ministerial Committee with swine flu. Those will be discussed further over the coming weeks and at the next meeting of the Plenary Meeting Finance Ministers’ quadrilateral, which is scheduled to take place in December 2009. Mr Deputy Speaker: I would like to inform Members that I have received notice from the Office of In the discussion on the state of relations, the the First Minister and deputy First Minister that the positive developments since the last plenary session, First Minister wishes to make a statement regarding particularly in the development of a new subcommittee, JMC(D), to deal with domestic matters, was noted. the Joint Ministerial Committee plenary meeting. The subcommittee has held two successful meetings to The First Minister (Mr P Robinson): I wish to date and plans to meet again in the coming months. -
LAWLESS WORLD: INTERNATIONAL LAW AFTER SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 and IRAQ* International Law After September 11, 2001 and Iraq PHILIPPE SANDS QC†
FEATURE LAWLESS WORLD: INTERNATIONAL LAW AFTER SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 AND IRAQ* International Law after September 11, 2001 and Iraq PHILIPPE SANDS QC† CONTENTS I Introduction II The Development of International Law — The Beginnings of a Rules-Based System III The Adequacy of the Existing Rules IV Australia and Britain — Following the Tough Guys A Riding Pillion on the Road to War B A Change of Mind C The Shock of the New V The Things that Matter I INTRODUCTION Until recently, the subject of international law remained in the margins. It would not have been an area which would have detained many lawyers who trained at this Law School, at least in their day-to-day practice. When I was invited to give this year’s Melbourne Law School Alumni lecture, late in 2004, issues of international law were already much in the air, certainly in Britain, and also in Australia. The Convention relating to the Status of Refugees,1 the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change2 and the legality of the war in Iraq are issues that were receiving considerable attention. But I doubt that anyone could have imagined that the run-up to Britain’s May 2005 General Election would be defined by arcane issues of international law: did the authorisation to use force against Iraq under Security Council Resolution 6783 of 1991 revive in March 2003? Was the British Prime Minister entitled to determine that Iraq was in material breach of its * This article is based on the Law School Alumni Lecture, delivered at the University of Melbourne Law School on 15 June 2005, and on the Mischon Lecture given in London on 12 May 2005. -
Nima Elbagir: Life on the Frontline Size Matters a Provocative Look at Short-Form Content
June 2016 Nima Elbagir: Life on the frontline Size matters A provocative look at short-form content Pat Younge CEO, Sugar Films (Chair) Randel Bryan Director of Content and Strategy UK, Endemol Shine Beyond UK Adam Gee Commissioning Editor, Multi-platform and Online Video (Factual), Channel 4 Max Gogarty Daily Content Editor, BBC Three Kelly Sweeney Director of Production/Studios, Maker Studios International Andy Taylor CEO, Little Dot Studios Steve Wheen CEO, The Distillery 4 July The Hospital Club, 24 Endell Street, London WC2H 9HQ Booking: www.rts.org.uk Journal of The Royal Television Society June 2016 l Volume 53/6 From the CEO The third annual RTS/ surroundings of the Oran Mor audito- Mockridge, CEO of Virgin Media; Cathy IET Joint Public Lec- rium in Glasgow. Congratulations to Newman, Presenter of Channel 4 News; ture, held in the all the winners. and Sharon White, CEO of Ofcom. unmatched surround- Back in London, RTS Futures held Steve Burke, CEO of NBCUniversal, ings of London’s Brit- an intimate workshop in the board- will deliver the opening keynote. ish Museum, was a room here at Dorset Rise: 14 industry An early-bird rate is available for night to remember. I newbies were treated to tips on how those of you who book a place before was thrilled to see such a big turnout. to secure work in the TV sector. June 30 – just go to the RTS website: Nobel laureate Sir Paul Nurse gave a Bookings are now open for the RTS’s rts.org.uk/event/rts-london-conference-2016. -
United Kingdom Election 2005 the 2005 United Kingdom Election Was Held on 5 May
Parliament of Australia Department of Parliamentary Services Parliamentary Library RESEARCH NOTE Information, analysis and advice for the Parliament 30 May 2005, no. 51, 2004–05, ISSN 1449-8456 United Kingdom election 2005 The 2005 United Kingdom election was held on 5 May. In down to the normal difficulties of a government remaining 2001, victory in 330 of 659 seats was required to gain a in power for a substantial time. Early in 2005, David House of Commons majority. In 2005, with Scottish seats Sanders of Essex University calculated that the reduced to 59 (-13) as an offset for an increase in the size Government had lost 0.06 per cent each month it had been of the Scottish Parliament, victory in 324 seats would give in office.3 It was clear, however, that an important factor a party control of the new House of 646 members. was the decline in Blair’s standing. By early 2005, only The state of the parties 32 per cent of those surveyed by a MORI poll said they 4 More than 3500 candidates from 170 parties nominated. trusted him. The Sunday Times assessment was blunt: Tony Blair’s Labour Government held 408 seats; a loss of For many voters smiling, fresh-faced Blair Mark I has been 85 would put it in a minority position. The Conservatives, replaced by a soapy-looking, swivel-eyed purveyor of untruths.5 under Michael Howard, needed to double their 162 seats to Related to this was the increasing tension in the Labour gain control of the Commons. The Liberal Democrats led Party caused by the deterioration in the relationship by Charles Kennedy held 55 seats. -
Whole Day Download the Hansard Record of the Entire Day in PDF Format. PDF File, 0.83
Wednesday Volume 612 6 July 2016 No. 21 HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD) Wednesday 6 July 2016 © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2016 This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Open Parliament licence, which is published at www.parliament.uk/site-information/copyright/. 863 6 JULY 2016 864 Ian Murray: Standard Life, one of the largest private House of Commons employers in Scotland, ceased trading in its UK property fund this week, and the Governor of the Bank of Wednesday 6 July 2016 England has said that the consequences of Brexit are beginning to crystallise. Given that financial services are 7% of Scotland’s GDP and employ tens of thousands The House met at half-past Eleven o’clock of my constituents, what reassurances was the Secretary of State able to give businesses yesterday that not one job will be lost because of the Conservative gamble with PRAYERS this country? David Mundell: May I begin by commending the hon. [MR SPEAKER in the Chair] Gentleman for his service as shadow Scottish Secretary? No one knows better than me how difficult it is to be BUSINESS BEFORE QUESTIONS your party’s sole representative from Scotland in this House and be shadow Scottish Secretary. He performed the role with great distinction, and I am particularly REPORT OF THE IRAQ INQUIRY grateful for his work to ensure the passage of the Resolved, Scotland Act 2016 in this place. He will be pleased to That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, That know that when I met business leaders yesterday Standard she will be graciously pleased to give directions that there be laid Life was represented. -
SLR I24.Indd
scottishleftreviewIssue 24 September/October 2004 Contents Comment ........................................................2 A new vision for a model parliament............12 John McAllion Feedback.........................................................4 Profit and Parliament ...................................14 Briefing ...........................................................5 David Miller Was this the settled will?................................6 Afraid of the bathroom mirror......................16 Derrick Whyte Susan Deacon New parliament, new view .............................8 Opposing but not imposing...........................18 Jim and Margaret Cuthbert Rob Gibson Silence built in ..............................................10 The ideas leaders..........................................20 Chris Thomson Lorna Bett The only mistake here is to believe that these diagnoses are Comment somehow unlinked or even mutually exclusive. In fact, these things are all true and all contribute to and feed off each other. f you stop and think about it, it makes no sense that a minute But why should this have happened? A suspicious Parliament Ibefore midnight on a friend’s birthday we studiously don’t cry has been created and this is in part because of the problem happy birthday; we do this because if we didn’t choose arbitrary of proximity. If you remove the Tories from the equation the moments to stop and take stock then we probably wouldn’t stop political parties in Scotland form an almost seamless strand to take stock at all. So it may be nothing more than a moving of political positions which moves across a comparatively of the furniture but the move to the Scottish Parliament’s new compact area of land between the left and the centre left. So Holyrood building feels like it could have the potential to be in a context in which the political parties think they have no some sort of fresh start. -
Cross-Border Provision of Public Services for Wales: Transport
House of Commons Welsh Affairs Committee Cross-border provision of public services for Wales: Transport Tenth Report of Session 2008–09 Report, together with formal minutes, oral and written evidence Ordered by the House of Commons to be printed 7 July 2009 HC 58 Incorporating HC 401 xiii-xvi, Session 2007-08 Published on 17 July 2009 by authority of the House of Commons London: The Stationery Office Limited £0.00 The Welsh Affairs Committee The Welsh Affairs Committee is appointed by the House of Commons to examine the expenditure, administration, and policy of the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales (including relations with the National Assembly for Wales). Current membership Dr Hywel Francis MP (Labour, Aberavon) (Chairman) Mr David T.C. Davies MP (Conservative, Monmouth) Ms Nia Griffith MP (Labour, Llanelli) Mrs Siân C. James MP (Labour, Swansea East) Mr David Jones MP (Conservative, Clwyd West) Mr Martyn Jones MP (Labour, Clwyd South) Rt Hon Alun Michael MP (Labour and Co-operative, Cardiff South and Penarth) Mr Albert Owen MP (Labour, Ynys Môn) Mr Mark Pritchard MP (Conservative, The Wrekin) Mr Mark Williams MP (Liberal Democrat, Ceredigion) Mr Hywel Williams MP (Plaid Cymru, Caernarfon) Powers The committee is one of the Departmental select committees, the powers of which are set out in House of Commons Standing Orders, principally in SO No 152. These are available on the Internet via www.parliament.uk. Publications The reports and evidence of the Committee are published by The Stationery Office by Order of the House. All publications of the Committee (including press notices) are on the internet at www.parliament.uk/parliamentary_committees/welsh_affairs_committee.cfm.