An Open Letter to Laura Moffat MP

2.18.02am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 31st Jan 2005

Cllr Gordon Seekings - an open letter to Laura Moffat MP

Dear Laura, I have a horrid feeling that it will make no difference, but thought I should e-mail you with my response to Charles Clarke's latest proposals for dealing with terrorist suspects and others (he mentioned animal rights activists and BNP members).

The proposed measures he outlined sent a chill down my spine - they are in many ways worse than banning orders issued by the South African government during the days of apartheid (under which the parents of the Leader of the House of Commons, Peter Hain, suffered). They are also used today by the military regime in Burma and in other repressive Police States.

When Mr Clarke suggests extending this to the family and friends of suspects, it seems as though we are falling headlong into the kind of totalitarian regime I have always opposed and will resist if necessary.

Mr Clarke's argument, as I heard him express it, is that we should trust him, Mr Blair and the security services, to act reasonably. Even if I did have that trust, laws are not passed just for one term of government only. I do not trust all future governments, whoever they may be, for to do so would be absurd.

Mr Blair has spoken in moving tones of the sacrifices that must be made to preserve liberty and democracy. It may surprise you to know that I agree with these sentiments. I do however take it further than him - I don't think the sacrifices should be limited to serving British soldiers and Iraqi people (whose lives often seem to be counted as less valuable than ours although I can't see why).

I am prepared not only to risk my own life so that the country can remain free but to accept that my children (whose lives I value much more) should also take this risk for the general good. The argument that safety is the highest good has always been the argument of the tyrant - it is one that citizens in a democracy should reject.

In the end liberty is defended by allowing it to those who use it against our own beliefs. I have, for years, acted and demonstrated against racist groups including the BNP and, as a pacifist, I oppose terrorist violence. Nonetheless, were members of a legal party to be detained without trial in this way; or were people of another race and religion suspected but not charged of crimes and consequently deprived of liberty (even though they approved of violence in a way I cannot); I would feel bound to resist their treatment in any way that seemed likely to be effective, so that the democracy of our country can be preserved.

Should you wish to place me and my family on the list for house arrest, my address can be got from the Crawley Borough Council website.

I have written in the strongest terms because I fear that members of parliament have lost sight of the greater concern in their fear for maintaining public safety. I would also welcome members of the Labour party to express their support for this letter publicly as well. However I fear that many of them are more interested in a quiet life rather than standing up for civil liberties.

Cllr.Gordon Seekings

Northgate Ward, Crawley Borough Council