The Futile War in Afghanistan

You can click the link below, from the Guardian today, to read a moving account of the Afghan war by an Afghan MP currently in Britain:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/jul/25/afghanistan-occupation-taliban-warlords

Vestas: Labour MP's Must Act

If enough Labour MP's backed an 'early day motion' tabled by Labour MP John McDonnell, the Government could be persuaded to keep the Vestas wind turbine factory open. Taking the factory into public ownership is the best option.

I have written to the two Labour MP's in Bedfordshire - Kelvin Hopkins (Luton North) and Patrick Hall (Bedford) - asking for their support for John McDonnell's motion.

Meanwhile, the workers' occupation of the factory continues, despite problems with food supplies.

Workers' Occupation of Vestas Wind Turbine Factory

The transport union RMT has pledged full support for the workers occupying the Vestas factory on the Isle of Wight. General Secretary Bob Crow is making a solidarity visit to the occupation tomorrow (Thursday) evening.

The occupation is a crucial stand for a Green New Deal against a crazy decision by greedy bosses and incompetent politicians. This factory is the only unit in England manufacturing wind turbines. The Dutch company owning the factory want to close it with the loss of 625 jobs.

The Government's feeble excuse is that the plant made blades for the US market, which were not the right specification for UK wind farms.

This is an acid test of the Government's commitment to green and renewable energy. If they are remotely serious about tackling climate change, they should take this factory into public ownership and protect the jobs.

New Labour can afford the Afghan war, the banks' bail-out, renewal of Trident missile system, new nuclear power stations and MP's expenses scandal. Unless they stop this closure the New Labour climate change strategy will be exposed as a total sham.

Rail Back in Public Ownership

The East Coast mainline rail service is to be taken back from National Express and into public control and accountability. It's an excellent move, and is in accord with the policy of the Green Party.

Privatisation has been a disaster: Private companies able to keep profits and expect the taxpayer to fund their losses.

It turns out the National Express had set up an 'arms length' stand-alone company called NXEC to run the railway. Why? So they could maximise their profits but then ditch the business if times got tough.

National Express has only been running the railway for two years. What is happening to its Chief Executive, Richard Bowker? Well, he's leaving to become boss of Union Railway, in the Unites Arab Emirates ..........