Time for a 'World Portillo Moment'
Shayler for Sedgefield
Summary
David Shayler is to pull out of the race for Sedgefield.
He is asking his supporters and the people of Sedgefield to back Reg Keys, the Truth and Justice candidate who lost a son in Iraq.
He is urging other candidates to follow suit, particularly the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats, because PM Tony Blair is a proven liar over the war.
Detail
After consulting with Reg Keys and his campaign team, David Shayler has today agreed to withdraw his candidacy from the constituency of Sedgefield in the forthcoming General Election.
David has always made it clear that if there were any chance that his candidature might split the anti-Blair, anti-War vote, he would step down. As any further campaigning might confuse the issue, he has decided to step down now.
David will be in Sedgefield in the coming weeks to speak at two meetings focussing on Blair's disregard for human life; the security of this country; and for the democratic process as well as the true extent of his lies; spin and contempt for the truth.
David is also urging the Lib Dem and Conservative candidates to withdraw to give Reg Keys a better chance of toppling Blair. David is not asking the other parties to withdraw on grounds of policy or even Blair's unethical and illegal decision to invade Iraq but over the fact that Blair is a proven liar over that war (see attached).
David has also been in touch with other Independent candidates across the country who share his views. He is glad to share a platform with them wherever necessary to highlight the illegality of the war and the need for reform in the British political system.
Comment
David said today:
"In the times I have been in Sedgefield, even I have been surprised by the extent of the anti-Blair and anti-war feeling in the Labour heartlands. If this had been a two-horse race, I'm confident that I could have given Blair a run for his money. As Reg Keys has got further with his campaign, I thought it would be better to step down and lend my support to his campaign."In normal circumstances, gentleman's rules operate in British politics. If you're caught lying, you resign. Blair has not taken the honourable option. Allowing a single independent candidate to stand against a proven liar might set a precedent, sending a clear message to those leaders who might be tempted to lie to the British people in future. When challenged about their support for the war, I'm amazed that Michael Howard and the Conservative party haven't simply retorted that they supported the invasion precisely because Blair lied to them.
"It is of course not too late for Blair to do the honourable thing, for once, and step down. If he really had the interests of the country and the people at heart rather than being driven by a monstrous ego, he would stand aside for Gordon Brown.
"If Reg can beat Blair, then they'll be dancing in the streets of Baghdad and Kabul as well as large parts of Britain. It will be a 'World Portillo Moment', just like when Tory MP Michael Portillo lost his Enfield seat in the 1997 General Election and people spontaneously ran into the streets laughing and dancing."
Annie Machon
Saturday, 16 April 2005
Tel: 01323 411 362
Mob: 07984 877 009
Tel: 01323 411 362
Tel: 01323 411 362
Mob: 07984 877 009
E-mail: shaylerfor.sedgefield@virgin.net
- ©Reg Keys, 2005 -
