Peace assembly for anti-war movement

Peace assembly for anti-war movement

Tony Benn: Providing an anti-war voice

A "People's Assembly for Peace" is being launched to give anti-war protesters and MPs opposed to a military attack on Iraq a chance to have their voice heard.

Organisers, the Stop the War coalition, say Prime Minister Tony Blair "would be very foolish not to listen" to the body, which they claim will give an "alternative voice" to the government's strategy.

They say the assembly, to be held in Westminster's Central Hall on 12 March, will build on last month's massive rally - the UK's biggest public demonstration.

Lindsay German, convenor of the Stop the War coalition, said: "We feel very strongly that the number of people who marched, both in this country and worldwide, are being denied a voice through any of the normal representative channels of society.

"What we are trying to do is express some of the dissent and some of the discontent that exists in Britain about the war.

"People are still very, very concerned that people are moving towards war, the troops are there and they are increasing the bombing.

"The assembly, we think, will be much more an alternative voice of the country."

'Strengthens' peace movement

Former Labour MP Tony Benn said the assembly will provide an organised forum outside Parliament in support of MPs of all parties who are opposed to war.

"It will be a comfort to them and an encouragement to them to know that they have got people outside who recognise what they have done.

I think it is an alternative Parliament because we have a House of Commons that is not listening to the British people

George Galloway

Eton boys elected to peace movement

"It is not in any sense an alternative Parliament - it's a place where people can be represented and, in this way, strengthen the peace movement in the Commons.

"It is fairly obvious that the war is going to be launched within the next few days ... and who is going to speak for those who are opposed to it?"

Labour rebel George Galloway said he could see the assembly "sitting virtually in permanent session if this crisis develops".

But he disagreed with Mr Benn that it would not be an alternative to Parliament.

"I think it is an alternative Parliament because we have a House of Commons that is not listening to the British people," he said.

"If the British people cannot count on their MPs, they will have to count on their member in the Peace Assembly, who will be much more representative."

Mr Galloway attended Eton College on Tuesday, where three representatives for the assembly were elected.

Andrew Murray, chairman of the coalition, said the number of representatives on the assembly would depend on the population of an area or size of an organisation.

'Reclaim' Labour

Representatives must be elected, not self appointed, and all 199 MPs who voted against the government's stance last week, will be invited to come along, he said.

Mr Murray said he hoped the assembly would reconvene again after its inception on 12 March.

War critics want to follow up last month's peace march

The assembly's work begins as Labour critics of Mr Blair's Iraq policy unveiled plans for a national conference on 29 March for members as they try to "reclaim" the party as an anti-war movement.

They want former Labour members to return to the fold through membership renewal forms stressing their anti-war credentials.

Labour MP Alan Simpson said 5,000 anti-war recruitment forms had been printed, with a second run now on order.

'Peace pledge'

Mr Simpson continued: "Every Labour MP has reported back to the parliamentary Labour party that they face a real crisis in their constituencies in retaining members.

"We are urging members not to leave, but to renew their membership on the basis of a peace pledge."

The MP said he did not know how the "peace" recruitment applications will go down with the Labour Party.

He told BBC News Online: "I would be astonished if the party decided to take a stand in refusing applications from people who wanted to approbate socialist policies in a party that is supposed to be a democratic socialist party."