UK Elections

Andy Love & Human Rights

Andy Love, the LabourParty Candidate for Edmonton has sent us in his answer to our question on Human Rights. This is what he told us,

We need to be tough on terrorism and its causes. The threat of terrorism and the danger to British citizens is proven, not just by 9/11 but by repeated attacks in Europe and elsewhere around the globe. So we cannot sit back and hope that we will be unaffected. It is right that we do everything in our power to disrupt terrorist networks, and to challenge the conditions that help terrorism to breed.

The UN Charter proclaims the universal principles of human rights and democracy. In an uncertain world they are not only right in principle, they are important guarantees of our national security and prosperity too.

In government, Labour has introduced a number of innovations to promote human rights, including introducing an Annual Report on Human Rights which allows the public to scrutinise the work we are doing on this throughout the globe. The Global Opportunities Fund launched in 2003, and now worth £60 million, provides even greater resources for human rights projects.

Labour will continue to champion EU human rights and democracy programmes, and seek concrete outcomes from the human rights clause in international agreements between the European Union and other nations.

I believe that Britain’s national interest is promoted by a commitment to human rights. That is why Labour has put, and will continue to put, human rights at the centre of our foreign policy.

Andy Love, the LabourParty Candidate for Edmonton

Andy Love & Asylum Seekers & Refugees

Andy Love, the LabourParty Candidate for Edmonton has sent us in his answer to our question on Asylum Seekers & Refugees. This is what he told us,

I have been very disappointed by the negative and highly divisive tone taken by the Conservatives during this election campaign with regards to asylum and immigration. Whilst I agree that there are concerns about these issues, it does no good to confuse the two. Nor is there any benefit to be had from whipping up people’s fears by appealing to their base instincts and merely serves to create tension where there was none.

I believe in an immigration system that is firm and fast, but also fair. Britain can rightly be proud of her history of offering refuge to those who are fleeing persecution, and I am proud to maintain this basic principle of human decency.

However, if we are to maintain confidence in our immigration system, we must also be robust in eliminating any abuse of the system. By showing that we are tackling abuse of the asylum system while arguing the case for legal migration is also the best way to counter the negative perceptions of migrants and asylum seekers, and defeat those groups on the right and far-right who use asylum to stoke up fear and racism.

Labour in government has done much to ensure that the needs of asylum seekers are met, integrating them where possible, while managing pressures on local services.

In government, Labour will ensure that the UK continues to welcome genuine refugees, respecting our obligations under the 1951 Geneva Convention, which forms part of the international legal and ethical framework that enshrines the basic principles of humanity.

Andy Love, the LabourParty Candidate for Edmonton

Andy Love & The Middle East

Andy Love, the LabourParty Candidate for Edmonton has sent us in his answer to our question on the Middle East. This is what he told us,

When, after some soul searching, I voted in favour of undertaking military action in Iraq it was against a background of having been presented with what appeared to be convincing evidence that Saddam Hussein’s Ba’athist dictatorship possessed weapons of mass destruction capable of being launched within 45 minutes. Saddam had also acquired a reputation for refusing to accept the terms of all UN Reports and Resolutions in relation to Iraq, and in particular ignoring the terms of UN Resolution 1441.

This, in addition to the history of Saddam’s aggressive behaviour towards his neighbouring sovereign states, and indeed to minority groups within his own country led me to believe that Saddam must be removed as he presented a real and viable threat to long-term peace and stability in the Middle East.

The Government therefore still continues to believe that the removal of Saddam’s brutal and dictatorial Ba’athist regime was the right thing to do.

Whilst the Government acknowledges that the present situation in Iraq is difficult and it is deeply regrettable that military personnel and civilians have lost their lives, the Government is confident that Iraq is well on the way to a stable and democratic future with a modern and pluralistic government, democratically elected by the Iraqi people, at its helm, and I welcome this week’s news that an Iraqi Government has finally been established following election in which 8 million Iraqi civilians risked their lives to go to the ballot box – many for the first time ever. Iraq’s fledgling democracy needs support from us all – even from those who opposed military action.

I do therefore believe that the removal of Saddam Hussein’s Ba’athist regime from power in Iraq has further enhanced the long-term goal of a viable peace in the Middle East.

Andy Love, the LabourParty Candidate for Edmonton

Andy Love & The Non Proliferation Of Nuclear Weapons

Andy Love, the LabourParty Candidate for Edmonton has sent us in his answer to our question on the non proliferation of nuclear weapons. This is what he told us,

The UK takes a prominent role in coordinating international efforts to respond to the challenge of proliferation. The UK is party to a number of arms control agreements which have contributed significantly to lowering international tension in Europe and to limiting the spread of conventional, chemical, biological and nuclear weapons.

Labour supports Trident, Britain’s minimum nuclear deterrent, but we have a long-standing tradition of working to alleviate the threat from the world’s most dangerous weapons. Today, we remain committed to the goal of the global elimination of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons. We will continue to work both bilaterally and through the UN to urge states not yet party to non-proliferation instruments, notably the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), to become so.

Labour also remains committed to the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, which calls for the cessation of all nuclear explosions as an effective measure of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. The UK will work to promote the ratification and entry into force of this Treaty.

Together with the United States, the UK is also committed to preventing the spread of missile technology, through the Missile Technology Control Regime. And with our European partners, the UK is promoting the establishment of a politically binding International Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation. Such an agreement must be underpinned by effective inspection regimes, strong export controls on sensitive goods and bringing international pressure to bear on proliferators who do not commit to their obligations.

Andy Love, the LabourParty Candidate for Edmonton

Andy Love & The role of the United Nations

Andy Love, the LabourParty Candidate for Edmonton has sent us in his answer to our question on the role of the United Nations. This is what he told us,

I do believe that the United Nations should remain the supreme forum for deliberation within the international community, as it has done since its inception. I have been a supporter of the United Nations – it makes a vital contribution to international peace and security and is the only global forum in which the nations of the world can meet and deliberate.

I believe that reform of the General Assembly is long overdue. Under Labour, the UK will continue to encourage efforts to make the UN General Assembly more transparent by urging that more meetings be held in public and to use open debates at which all members can express their views. The developing world order should be based upon the needs and requirements of the developing world.

Labour strongly welcomed Kofi Annan’s High Level Plan and it proposals, particularly those for reform of the Security Council and the establishment of a peace-building commission. While welcoming Security Council enlargement, Labour believes that no new members should have a veto, and endorses the idea that there should be five new members including a representative for the Africa region. In addition, we believe that there should be another four non-permanent members elected for two year periods.

The devastation from the earthquake and tsunami disaster in the Indian Ocean on Boxing Day 2004 was on an unparalleled scale. So too was the international community’s humanitarian response to these events. There are many lessons to be learned in respect of the international community’s reaction to future natural disasters. The challenges we face today in an uncertain world are global in their nature, and as such demand global solutions. That is why I believe in the maintenance of a stable international system, rooted in our commitment to the United Nations and international law.

Andy Love, the LabourParty Candidate for Edmonton

Andy Love & Climate Change

Andy Love, the LabourParty Candidate for Edmonton has sent us in his answer to our question on Climate Change. This is what he told us,

It cannot be doubted that climate change represents the biggest threat to our environment and future. I can assure you that I will continue to support measures that protect our environment, and I shall continue to work to secure proposals that seek to alleviate harm done to our climate. This is not an issue that should be underestimated.

CO2 emissions in 2003 rose by 2.2%. It was recently estimated that CO2 emissions will be about 13% below 1990 levels by 2010. The Climate Change Programme is currently being reviewed to ensure that the more ambitious domestic target of a 20% reduction in CO2 emissions will be achieved by 2010.

Along with development for Africa, climate change will be a top priority for the UK as we preside over the G8 this year. Our aim is to secure agreement at the July 2005 Summit of Heads State on the science and urgency of climate change, and on a new package of measures to tackle it.

Under Labour, Britain has introduced the Climate Change Levy and our Renewable Energy Programme. We will continue to lead efforts to tackle climate change.

Andy Love, the LabourParty Candidate for Edmonton

Andy Love & Trade Justice

Andy Love, the LabourParty Candidate for Edmonton has sent us in his answer to our question on Trade Justice. This is what he told us,

I am personally very supportive of the campaign led by the Trade Justice Movement, and am also very aware of the importance of the Make Poverty History campaign to many people in Edmonton.

Trade has a vital role to play in helping developing countries achieve the economic growth that is fundamental to tackling poverty. It is estimated that halving protectionist measures such as tariffs on imports to US and European markets, or unfair subsidies such as those distributed under the CAP would boost world trade by $400 billion, of which $150 billion would go to developing countries. That is three times what they currently receive in aid. Labour successfully pressed for the next round of world trade talks to be focussed on the needs of developing countries.

Since 1997, the Labour Government has committed £174 million to strengthening the ability of developing countries to negotiate more favourable trade deals. Free trade is, however, not enough – it also has to be fair. That is why Labour is calling for improved special and differential treatment for poor countries that require it, and special attention to the need for developing countries to be able to implement trade reforms at a pace that suits them.

Labour will push for further radical reform of the CAP, and will seek to ensure the EU implements its commitment to set an end date for export subsidies.

Labour has also set out in a White Paper published in March 2005 the UK’s position that Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) between Europe and Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries should not force any offensive interests: trade negotiations and aid conditionality should not push poor countries to liberalise and countries should be permitted to make their own decisions about the timing, pace, sequencing and product coverage of their market openings.

Andy Love, the LabourParty Candidate for Edmonton

Andy Love & Development

Andy Love, the LabourParty Candidate for Edmonton has sent us in his answer to our question on Development. This is what he told us,

I firmly believe it is not right that poor countries should be made to choose between servicing their debt and making vital investments in their public services. I am proud to say that Labour has more than doubled the aid budget since 1997. By 2007-08, Britain will be spending almost £6.5 billion or 0.47% of our national income on development – a huge increase from the 0.26% inherited from the Tories. By 2005-06, we will be targeting 90% of the UK’s aid at the poorest countries. Labour has also set a timetable of 2013 to reach the United Nations target of 0.7% of national income on aid. I hope to see the aid budget increase further in the future as our economic prosperity here grows.

I warmly welcome the Labour Government’s decision to write off 100% of debt for the world’s poorest countries, and for those that are committed to using the proceeds to benefit their poorest citizens. Currently around $70 billion of debt relief has been made available through the Highly Indebted Poor Countries scheme. Labour untied all bilateral aid in 2001, so poor countries can now spend it wherever they get best value. Under Labour, the UK is at the forefront pushing for international action to tackle global poverty, and is leading the way on debt relief – writing up to 100% of bilateral debt for those countries committed to using the proceeds to benefit the poor.

The fight against global scourges such as Aids, TB, and malaria is an issue which affects and therefore should concern each and every one of us. Labour announced the biggest ever investment in the fight against HIV/Aids. The UK is spending £1.5 billion on Aids funding over the next three years, including a doubling of our contribution to the Global Fund to Fight Aids, TB, and Malaria. We shall also continue to press our international colleagues to increase their funding as well.

Recent studies have shown that offshore outsourcing of jobs has no negative economic effect on the country where the jobs have been transferred from. It does give the ability for best practice, advanced technology and business techniques to be exported around the globe. This process also allows companies to focus on their core functions whilst employing expertise in their peripheral actions. It also encourages economic growth and job, skill and wealth creation in the countries where the functions are transferred to. There is, therefore a crucial role to be played by outsourcing in helping some countries to develop. There are, of course, cultural differences, which must be taken into consideration.

What is vitally important is that the UK continues to play a leading role in ensuring that there is an international framework to promote workers’ rights and to tackle abuses of those rights throughout the world is in place, particularly through co-operation with the ILO, the UN specialised agency responsible for labour rights.

Andy Love, the LabourParty Candidate for Edmonton

David Burrowes & Human Rights

David Burrowes, the Conservative Party Candidate for Enfield Southgate has sent us in his answer to our question on Human Rights. This is what he told us,

Do you believe in ‘Human Rights’ particularly as defined through the Geneva Convention and the United Nations? If so then –

Ø Should those human rights be extended to suspected terrorists?
Ø Who, in your view, should be the arbiter, if exceptions are to be permitted?
Ø Do you consider that the maxim ‘guilty until proved innocent’ should apply to all?

Yes, we do believe in human rights including those defined in the Geneva Conventions and by the UN. We do not, however, think that the Geneva Conventions relating to prisoners of war should be extended to terrorists. In our view, terrorists – whether British subjects or foreign nationals – should be given no special status and ought to be treated as the criminals they are. The right way to tackle terrorism is, through due process and on the basis of evidence, to bring suspects to trial. Their innocence or guilt must then be determined by a court of law – never by a politician. If they are found guilty, they should serve out their sentence in a prison cell, not in their living rooms. We agree with Lord Lloyd of Berwick, who undertook an independent review of anti-terrorist legislation in 1996, that the procedures for prosecuting suspected terrorists should approximate as closely as possible to the ordinary criminal law.

In the UK specifically taking into account –

Ø The British response to the regime at Guantánamo Bay and Abu Ghraib Prison
Ø The detention without trial at Belmarsh Prison (which continues in spite of a House of Lords judgment), and
Ø The drift to admissibility of evidence obtained under torture in the UK courts

Do you consider that the UK government is achieving the right balance between respect for human rights and civil liberties on the one hand and the safety of citizens on the other?

The Conservative Party’s position is consistent and clear. In Government or Opposition we will never shirk our duty to do what is necessary to protect the public – domestic or international. We agree with the Newton Committee that there is a continuing need for special counter-terrorism legislation. We also believe that terrorists should be given no special status and ought to be treated as criminals.

The terrorist threat is more important than party advantage, so Conservatives have supported much of what the Government has done to deal with terrorism. But we have consistently reminded Mr Blair and Charles Clarke that they are not just protecting our lives, they are protecting our way of life – including our ancient British liberties like the presumption of innocence, the right to trial by jury, and habeas corpus. We support the introduction of new legislation to deal with new threats to our security, but it needs to be carefully framed and it must not threaten our fundamental liberties. Government measures we have opposed include detention without trial; the offence of incitement to religious hatred; the ‘snoopers charter’ to allow more organisations to retain communications data; and proposals to lower the burden of proof in the case of terrorist trials.

But more and hastily-written legislation is not the way to protect national security. Strong intelligence and effective policing are crucial. Britain’s lack of border controls poses a grave danger to our national security. There are over a quarter of a million failed asylum seekers living in our country, and there are no checks on people coming into or leaving it. That is why Conservatives have called for intercept evidence to be used in court cases, and why we will implement 24-hour security at our ports and restore embarkation controls on those entering and leaving the UK.

We have also long called for a designated senior political figure both to co-ordinate, and be accountable for, national security. At the moment, there is a vast array of individuals, bodies and committees in Whitehall responsible for protecting our nation. There should be a single Minister for Homeland Security to ensure that no part of our national security is overlooked or compromised.

David Burrowes, the Conservative Party Candidate for Enfield Southgate

David Burrowes & Refugees & Asylum Seekers

David Burrowes, the Conservative Party Candidate for Enfield Southgate has sent us in his answer to our question on Refugees and Asylum Seekers. This is what he told us,

The UK is heavily engaged in the international arms trade and international conflict. At the same time it seeks to reduce claims to the right of asylum in the UK by measures such as administrative detention, restrictions on access to the courts and social support below poverty levels. Worldwide it takes far less than its per capita share of refugees and is eighth among EU states in this respect.

Do you personally consider that the UK is meeting the spirit of its international treaty obligations as regards the right of asylum?

Britain continues to meet its obligations internationally, and will continue to do so under a Conservative Government. In fact over the past four years UNHCR figures show that the UK has received the second highest number of applications for asylum in the world after the United States even has a population five times greater than the UK.

The removal of health services from those who have exhausted their appeal process will create a significant group of people without health care. Is this fair for the individuals and wise for our own public health?

Once an individual’s asylum claim has been refused they should leave the country. It is a National Health Service not a world health service.

David Burrowes, the Conservative Party Candidate for Enfield Southgate