Libya
Posted by Martin Vickers, MP for Cleethorpes, at 09:26, Tue 29 March 2011:
I abstained in the vote that supported the Government's position on the Libyan conflict because I don't consider British vital interests to be at stake and if what we see in Libya and Bahrain affects other Middle Eastern states there may well become a point when the West has to take action. That is not now. Who are the Rebels? What if they take over and are an equally brutal regime? Is that representative of the will of the Libyan people? Or is it taking power at the point of a gun? Your thoughts are welcome. Martin Vickers MP
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Posted by Chris Mimmack, 09:42, Tue 29 March 2011: (Is this post abusive?) #
Who are the Rebels - a very good point. And what's more, although they don't have heavy weapons, they still seem to have access to quite an arsenal. Where has that come from and who funded it? Also didn't Iraq descend into a bloodbath as old tribal rivalries were settled. If the same happens in Libya it makes me wonder which costs more lives and causes more misery - the current regime, or the aftermath of a regime change.
Posted by ian brocklebank, 10:33, Tue 29 March 2011: (Is this post abusive?) #
dear martin,i am in total accord with your views as expressed,we are no longer in a position to act as the worlds policeman and conflicts in the east are fraught with comlications even experts struggle to understand,in any case without whole hearted american support interventions are pretty much doomed,if the UN were all on the same page there might be some possibility but this rush to regime change may well end in tears for the uk government.let us pick our battles to suit our place in the world and with regard to what resources we have! regards ian
Posted by Mr Norman Ellis, 11:37, Tue 29 March 2011: (Is this post abusive?) #
We should not be involved in this conflict, we do not know who the rebels are. If the Libyan's want to kill each other, why should we intervene? As far as a member of parliament abstaining on such a serious matter, it is totally unacceptable, either you agree or disagree and I would prefer a more decisive action in the future.
Regards, N.Ellis
Posted by L McDowall, 14:28, Tue 29 March 2011: (Is this post abusive?) #
I could only agree more strongly with you had you voted against rather than abstaining
Posted by Martin Vickers, 15:16, Tue 29 March 2011: (Is this post abusive?) #
Thank you for your comments. The reason I didn't vote against was that our forces were already committed.
Had the vote been taken on the Friday, as I believe it should have been, I would have voted against.
Martin Vickers MP
Posted by TREVOR WHITFIELD, 17:31, Tue 29 March 2011: (Is this post abusive?) #
Dear Mr Vickers, I take note of your comments though I do not fully agree with them. I do agree with the idea that we are dealing with a ruthless regime which has supported terrorism against us in the past and that now is a time to try to end it. I also think that people are going to be killed no matter what happens in Libya. but if we can save some innocent lives by stopping Gadaffi from massacring his own people then so be it. There is so much propaganda going around at present that it is difficult to get a true picture of what is happening at the moment, but that does not prevent civilised states from taking a stand on principle even though we cannot as yet know the eventual outcome of our actions. So long as we can be seen to be standing up for what all right minded folk think is right and are seen to have the support of other Arab states in the region in this time when many Arabs appear to be demanding an end to old, corrupt regimes and asking for democracy, then I say Cameron should be supported. I would also quietly support the rebels with whatever equipment is needed provided any help led to the appearance of a new government in Libya dedicated to democracy (or some form of it) and a better life for the real citizens of that country. There is always the fear of Al Qaeda getting involved but its tendrils are bound to be there and it is up to governments to recognise and deal with them when found.
Posted by Malcolm Bush, 18:45, Tue 29 March 2011: (Is this post abusive?) #
Dear Martin Vickers MP, I would like to thank you for your carefully considered comment on the Libya situation. Whilst we may be ousting a brutal dictator; this is a very complex issue and the future my be unpredictable.