What excellent points the two letters below make. How could David Miliband declare the war in Iraq a success? The war is highly questionable, if not fought for weapons of mass destruction, then why? Rumour say oil, but then why Afghanistan? The Wars are for one reason only and that is to keep Muslim counties disunited so as to protect Israel. Hilary Clinton say she would destroy Iran if they attacked Israel. It shows she too must court the real powers that rule. We are against nuclear proliferation except when Israel was allowed the technology by our allies. Even the capture of Mordecai Vanunu from British soil went largely unprotested. When will we cease to play a role in unexplained wars not fought for our benefit? When will we broker fair debate and justice to resolve problems.

Mr. Alexander and Mr. Miliband, I share your concerns concerning Kenya, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iraq. Your delivery from concern to action is small, very small. The disputes in Darfur, Burma and Zimbabwe are not new. The ongoing genocide, murders and starvation of these people has not moved the British Government at all. The situations in Burma and Zimbabwe have been caused by us, the British. We have a responsibility to put these countries back into the world. The British Navy is not off the coast of Zimbabwe; our other Armed Forces do not seek freedom for the people of Burma. Your priority should always be to put right your responsibilities first. The British Empire covered a large part of the world in pink. This Commonwealth of countries was given its independence but our responsibility remains with its successors. We have failed to maintain our standards in these countries. So the troubles in Afghanistan and Iraq should have always been further down the priority list. You have had the cake, the official visits around the world and honours, now action plans that will free our people of the Commonwealth.

Mr Miliband, what are you going to do to repair the immense damage done to Britain's standing in the world community as a result of what Tony Blair and Gordon Brown have done in waging an illegal war in Iraq? A war born out of lies and deceit, both to the British people, and to Parliament. As a result, hundreds of thousands of innocent Iraqi civilians, men, women, children and babies have died or been maimed, in a conflict that is continuing. It has cost the lives of hundreds of British service personnel as well as many more being maimed, and has cost (and is costing) the taxpayer billions. We now have an army sitting at Basra airport, having handed the city over to the control of militia. The late Robin Cook, your predecessor, correctly foretold the turn which events would take in Iraq, and his words were ignored, simply to please the United States. The UK's record in the Middle East has been abysmal for over a century. Britain created the problem in the first place by allowing hundreds of thousands of European Jews into Palestine between 1922-39. You state above that Britain is taking the lead in the Middle East peace process. What kind of hypocrisy is this? I have read your statements on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and nowhere have you ever condemned the grossly disproportionate actions of Israel, both in Gaza and the West Bank, or the building of the disgusting 'wall of separation' which Israel has built, to keep the Palestinians in totally Israeli-controlled ghettos. The inhabitants of Gaza have no armed forces and its people are defenceless. Gaza is the most densely populated area in the world. Not one word of criticism has passed your lips, Mr Miliband, when Israel drops bombs and fires missiles into its crowded streets, recently killing over a hundred civilians, including seven children. This was in response to one or two Israeli citizens being killed or injured by the primitive rockets aimed at Israel. (I do not condone this, although I can understand why people feel that desperate in the circumstances). Then there is Lebanon. The UK (Tony Blair and Margaret Beckett) refused to condemn Israel’s disproportionate (disproportionate is such an inadequate word here) actions in 2006. Lebanon’s infrastructure was destroyed, and over 1300 innocent civilians were killed, including over 300 children, by Israeli bombing, yet Blair refused to call on Israel to stop. Blair allowed the US to transit massive bunker bursting bombs via the UK and its airspace to Israel which it used to kill all those children in Lebanon. Israel acted because two members of the IDF were kidnapped. How can you not condemn such state-sponsored terrorism? You have repeatedly condemned every action taken by Palestinians. How can that be called ‘taking the lead in the peace process’? In my opinion, New Labour’s actions in the Middle East have taken Britain to new depths, and I’m certain that the great founders of the Party in the Fabian Society and Keir Hardie are turning in their graves at what Blair has done and what Brown is continuing. The Party has shown that it has no principles or scruples, and seems to exist simply to retain power for its own sake. Are my remarks not worthy of debate here, or are you unable to respond, other than by removing (censoring) them?

I am in total agreance with what you say. Every person who lives diserves a good life we need to sort out the people who think that they can kill to make there life better. Then we can educate these people and slow down the population boom which is the main problem on the earth today.

Have you seen the January 2008 issue of Scientific American with particular attention to the article, "A Solar Grand Plan". It is an illuminating look at possible goals for our future.

This is a good thought about using solar power but I know that we can grow fuel(rape seed) why dont we ?(something about oil giants)!

British forces should be withdrawn from Afghanistan because the war there is unwinnable. The Christian NATO army of occupation there cannot forcibly westernise that country any more than a Muslim army could Islamicise Britain. A Soviet force of over 200,000 was unable to defeat Afghan resistance. NATO presently cannot muster more than 40,000 and public opinion in its member states will not tolerate a long, expensive, escalating, overseas war. In any event the Labour Party believes in peace and progress, not unnecessary war. Afghanistan is no threat to the United Kingdom and therefore the war there is unnecessary.

Again on this issue i am in total agreance. On the TV they say that some banks have lossed us the tax payers money, not one word about all the money waisted in these unneeded wars.

One way surely of helping to bring stability to Africa is to call for open and free elections in Zimbabwe. Use Commonwealth troopsa if necessary to ensure that it is done properly and if he gets beaten make sure that MugaBIE DOES NOT WAlk away with the millions he has saalted away which in practise is our money meant to assist the people of Zimbabwe not feather the nest of Mugabie and his corrupt administration.

A very simple way of giving a huge financial benefit to those in developing countries who are trying to better their own lives and one that will cost the tax-payer very little extra is to insist that ALL Government Departments, Quangos and Public/Private Partnerships - in fact anybody who uses tax-payers money from the Government - MUST buy FairTrade products wherever and whenever possible. These products are already being bought by Government Deportments etc, it costs a little extra to buy FairTrade, but the benefit to the producers is huge. When you consider the amount of money that Government spends on tea, coffee, biscuits, wine and other hospitality products you can see that it will make a huge impact on a lot of people's lives.

For some reason the transcription of my message just sent at 9.47 pm 7 February has printed the figures I gave as a series of zeroes. A soldier with the Afghan Army or the Border Police is paid just thirty five United States dollars a month; the Taliban pays a new soldier two hundred US dollars a month rising within a few months to four hundred US dollars. Average Aghan income is five hundred US dollars per year.

Why does the UK Government not adopt the 'Senlis Council' proposals known as 'Poppies for Medicine' ? Their website sets out the programme in detail and is properly costed and researched. If we were to buy the Afghan poppy harvest, to begin with on behalf of the Afghan Government, Afghan tribal village organisations might under licence (as was done in Turkey and India in the 1970's, eventually with the Nixon Administration's support) refine the crop into diamorphine and sell it. Afghanistan could supply the 80% of the world who (according to the International Narcotics Board) cannot afford the present world prices for pain relief (Afghanistan has almost no morphine or even codeine for itself, for example). The dilemma of Afghan farmers is "to grow opium or starve". Average Afghan income is 0 US per year. A soldier with the Afghan Army or Border Police earns just US per month. The Taliban pay a new soldier 0 US per month on joining and within a few months 0 US together with board and lodging, uniforms and weapons. Drug lords sell opium at a 4,000% mark up from Afghan farm to European street. The drug lords arm the Taliban. Eradicating the farmers' opium crops drives the farmers into the arms of the Taliban. Our own military report this. The cost to America of their eradication progtramme is "beyond the dreams of avarice" says Frank Field and is, in fact, unsuccessful. Acreage of poppy cultivation has increased from a record in 2006 of 165,000 hectares to 193,000, the latest figures for 2007. The former British General Sir Mike Jackson and a cross party group of MPs called 'Poppy Relief" want Britain's policy in Afghanistan to face these facts. The shortage of diamorphine in NHS hospitals from 2005, (explained by the Department of Health as a technical problem in the two UK factories - American owned - who supply the NHS as a duopoly), is further evidence that we too need the opium crop available for medicine on the world market to be enlarged. This is not to benefit drug lords or pharmaceutical companies but people in pain. American policy is as foolhardy as it was in Iraq and for the same reason as in Iraq. It is ignorant.

Members of the British parliament are in a very privilaged position, little people have elevated you onto the world stage. We hope that you will satisfy our aspiration of a better life to come in your management of our country. In our history we have many things to be proud of and many things to be ashamed of,the history books will tell us of the catagoury you fit into. Our history tells us that we were a small independent country with few natural resourses but a few gifted men and women who made us into the country that we now inherit and that you manage.Money and wealth has always been the driving force of progress and this will always be, there is nothing wrong with this providing that it is for the common good and not for personal gain. Our American allies who saved our country on two occasions in the last century now seem to be run by an elected mafia.I am pleased that Gordon Brown has stepped back from our very close relationship with this administration, they all seem to have suspect backgrounds. The successful future of Britain lies in Europe and our commonwealth, we should listen to them and take heed of what they say, they have the good sense to keep out of wars that do not pose a threat to them, I hope that you will learn from them. Europe should be grateful for the contribution made by Britain the commonwealth and America in the last century,men and women came thousands of miles to fight and maybe die in a war that did not threaten there homes and families we owe much to them. My message to you is do the right thing be a gentlemen, an old fashioned term but a standard that others will have to live up to no matter who they are we are all brothers in the human family of the world it matters not how rich or poor we are we all deserve respect. Mr Brown we are on your side but we are judging you and your ministers on what you do,it is your duty as our representative not to let us down. PS. The slease that Tony Blair promised to eradicate from politics has not disapeared and appears to be alive and well.I would like to hear that all expenditure of our taxes, and you will note that it is OUR money is properly accounted for and made public.Most of you have come from humble beginings you have this once in a life time oportuneity to be remembered as a champion of mankind.

Our country’s role in the world is drawn from the fundamentals of what we can exchange with others. On our own, we’re less than one percent of the world’s populations and about four percent of worldwide spending power. We also have a residual network of international relationships and use the most widely spoken language of commerce, ideas and diplomacy. Most of our government relationships are through international institutions: the UN, European Union, NATO, IMF, OECD, World Bank, IAEA, the Commonwealth and ESDP. Our national cultures are shared with the International Cricket Council, FIFA, Postal Union, RFU, Olympic Committee, IAAA and many more. We have been creeping towards adopting the international metric system for more than a century. Moreover, worldwide issues such as AIDs, Bird Flu and global warming each rely on mutual and co-operative relationships where no country can claim or achieve autonomy. Tories and their UKIP extremists would have us believe that our country can still act autonomously. Yet despite our sustained growth, we’re slipping down the world league table as China’s and India’s vast populations catch-up. In your lifetime, our country is bound to fall from sixth to tenth place in the economic league. Not because of our inefficiency, but as others catch up with our technological advantages. Like the Tudor governments, we need reliable international partners and allies in this competitive world. Our first priority then should be to strengthen those relationships we already have with Europe, the Commonwealth and North America, and promote British languages and cultural links with them all. In short, the British Council, Bush House and similar institutions offer better long-run value than a Trident replacement that adds no usable power to NATO. Providing support for better governance and public health in commonwealth countries – and otherwise through the EU and the World Bank – is only partly an ethical motivation. Our long-term national interest is to deepen our relationships in a world where our relative strength is absolutely certain to diminish and that of the EU to grow ever more powerful. Consequently, the best way of helping poor countries to catch-up is by providing them with greater access to EU markets: they gain from trade and we gain from their good value imports. That does mean encouraging imports of textiles and other basic manufactures and helping European workers to be re-deployed. In summary, Labour’s view of the world should look forward to the growth of European and BRIC nations and to those implications. Backward looking Tory myopia is both old-fashioned and inherently careless of our future. We need to promote the sharing of our British culture, language and our ideas of freedom and democracy. The idea that we can be autonomous and use forms of gunboat diplomacy is both useless and dangerous. Andrew Dundas, Keighley CLP 01943 816439

To respond to the letter, Pakistan & Kenya are indeed disturbing situations and the UK Government has made some constructive statements on them. However it also continues to give conspicuous support to undemocratic regimes in Pakistan and in Saudi Arabia, which does not help our credibility. In the Middle East, Britain continues to coat-tail on US policy, supporting Israel and tolerating its expansionism - demonstated by the grotesque wall and continuing settlement of the West Bank. Our ill-advised and ill-fated interventions in Iraq and Afganistan, as well as our passive policy on the recent war in south Lebanon, all demonstrate that we need to move away from NATO and start to see our foreign policy from an EU perspective. This would enable us to act with more credibility in Darfur, Zimbabwe or elsewhere from an EU/UN framework. Our Labour Government does have a proud record of work on international development and on climate change but these efforts should now be redoubled and progressed as part of a coherent European policy.

I believe that we should honour our manifesto promise and hold a referendum on the EU treaty; it may not be exactly the same as the constitution, (though the Commons EU scrutiny committee recognised that there was little difference), but the issue is actually one of trust and honesty. And I'd also like to see our global role focussing more on ethics and tackling climate change and environmental degradation and less on 'free trade' and competition. The implications of globalisation are worrying socially and environmentally and we should be trying to manage it, not rushing headlong to celebrate it.

Are you able to give some detailed information about what we are doing about Zimbabwe? Mugabe is an evil man who has taken his nation to ruin. Babies are dying every day and we and the EU are simply not doing enough to get rid of him. ( I do applaud the PM for refusing to attend any meeting where Muabe is present). Sincerely KD

As a Senior Citizen and "Floating Voter",I have spent many years in watching, and taking part in political activity. Your letter is interesting. In 1975, having received a Government Paper "Britain's New Deal In Europe" and signed Harold Wilson,(copy at www.harvard-digital.co.uk`) I voted for,and only for, a trade agreement.In the 1990's Peter Sissons interviewed Ted Heath, ( bbc.co.uk/archives to read about and hear it) who agreed he had misled Parliament with his White Paper, and had also misinformed the people of Britain.Out of the woodwork under the 30 year Rule appeared the document FCO 30/1048 1971 ( copy from www.theeuroprobe.org)which discusses taking the British people into the EU without mentioning anything derogatory about this organization, and what to do with redundant MP's when final membership takes place. So thanks for your letter and I have two questions for you:- 1) You mention that in Europe "we will continue to be a key player". You have signed a Treaty which, in more than 60 further areas reduces Member State Veto to Qualified Majority Voting. Under QMV our Key Player status is reduced to only 8.5% of the total votes. Not a very strong position. How then does this Treaty increase or uphold our Key Playing Status within the EU? 2)You mention helping to establish a fully democratic system in Pakistan and Kenya.How then do you square this objective for other countries with further removing democratic power from the British people, in deference to a non-democratic EU system? An honest answer to both questions would be welcome.

Hon.David Milliband and Hon. Doughlas Alexander Sirs, Ii is most disheartening for the British Tamils that you have mentioned everything about the “suffering people” and “human rights abuses perpetrated” in various countries except the 50-year long unrelenting sufferings of the Tamils in Sri Lanka as if they were not human beings. The human rights abuse you refer to in Darfur, Burma and Zimbabwe originate from the respective governments. Similar human rights violations began soon after the British Labour Party gave independence to Ceylon. When the Tamils used al the democratic means they could muster to procure devolved power; like the Scottish and the Welsh, state violence and human rights abuses were hurled at the Tamils, the whole world watched in dumb silence, just as they did during the genocide in Rwanda. As we continued with our non-violent struggle the Tamils at one point were driven to the walls as their parliamentary representatives were hunted down and their dwellings burnt to ashes, when they took refuge in India, followed by the exodus of Tamils of whom 200,000 are in Britain. How would the world expect such people to react in this situation, other than to go on the defence, especially when the world at best looked the other way or at worst armed the perpetrators with military hardware? This was the catalyst that spawned the militant groups the international community unreasonably perceives as a terrorist organisation. Menachem Begin was branded as a terrorist by the British so was Nelson Mandela by the white supremacists of South Africa. Discovering the mindset of the Sinhala-Buddhist dominance; which the Tamils have vast knowledge of, Britain has since of late taken some initiatives, starting from the last ambassador to Sri Lanka to the parliamentarians who debated the issue as late as in 2007 and 2008. However, there is much to be done to cover all the lost ground during these very long violent 50-years, which has made an indelible psychological scar on the minds and hearts of the Tamil people. Even at this late stage the Tamils do believe that there is no way the Sinhala governments, which betrayed them time and again are going to stand by any promises they make under current pressure from the international community, as vindicated by the fraudulent APRC proposals. It is not possible here to annunciate the whole spectrum of the arguments for and against the reasons in which the Tamils would want to live free from periodic violence and intimidation from a nation that was once separate from the nation of the Tamils. Suffice to say, it is incumbent on the part of the British who unified these two nations; for administrative purposes, to restore and support the status quo the Tamils enjoyed un-hindered for centuries, for a lasting solution. The immediate step solicited most urgently is to force a ceasefire especially on the army of occupation in the Tamil areas where there are reports of 4 killings a day. Yours faithfully Karan Paul

You are 100% Right

I'm incredibly proud of what Labour has done in the past 10 years to help secure lesbian and gay equality. But I was surprised to learn that the UK has intervened in a European Court case involving Austria, urging the Court to rule that there is no right to have same sex partnerships recognized in law. Can you tell me what's going on? Thanks.

As a long time trade unionist and labour supporter,but loathing NEW labour.I have a dillema as to who I should vote for in future.What would be your advice.If candidates were more forthcoming and said were they stand on the Blairite policies of the present leadership.I would easily be able to decide.

I was right about the electronic censorship.This is sloppy,Lazy and undermines real public honest opnion.I am deeply dissapointed and will not be taking part in this forum again.Thanks for making me more cynical.

You obviously have some kind of electronic censorship applying to these messages which interupted my earlier Churchill quote which should have read "self abasement" (2 messages preceding this one).I send this 1)to clarify my citation of the quotation 2)to mention this is a bit scary.Regards,S.

What is the UK government doing to restore relationships with governments in Africa, the Caribbean and Pacific after the unsatasfactory way that negotiations on Economic Partnership Agreements were concluded last year? Does you support the comittment made by Commission President Jose Barroso that agreements initialled so far can be opened up for renegotiation?

The statement in the message from Messrs Miliband and Alexander that "From the Middle East Peace Process, to the eradication of world poverty and fighting climate change, Britain will continue to lead the world on these very important issues" betrays a fatal misunderstanding of Britain's standing in the world following our prominent role in the illegal aggression against Iraq, our continued activism in the hopeless and ill-conceived NATO operation in Afghanistan, Tony Blair's fatuous sabre-rattling at the time of the illegal aggression against Yugoslavia over Kosovo and our apparent determination to encourage a potentially catastrophic UDI by Kosovo without legal or international authority, our slavish attachment to the worst and most reactionary American presidency in living memory, our half-hearted attachment to the EU (probably the most exciting adventure in international relationships since the end of the Austro-Hungarian empire), New Labour's shameful attacks on our fundamental civil liberties under the limp pretext of protecting us from terrorism, and our adoption of the second most brutal form of rapacious capitalism in the world after that of the US. Against this background of failures and follies, talk of Britain "leading the world" in anything is self-delusion of the most dangerous kind. It's time for a spot of humility, for once. Less bragging, less noise, and less activism, please, David and Douglas! We have no internationally bestowed mission to solve all the world's problems and precious little record of success in our recent attempts to do so. I am sad that the successor to the Labour Party which I joined half a century ago has deserted its internationalist and law-abiding principles so comprehensively.

Re the Iraq and Afghan wars and the continuing fight against Terrorism I came across a quote from Churchill which to me sums up the position in this country today. "The worst difficulties we suffer do not come from without.They come from ....a peculiar type of brainy people,who,if they add something to its culture,take much from its strength.Our difficulties come from the mood of unwarrantable self-abasement into which we have been cast by a powerful section of our own intellectuals." This is not about if your not with me you are against me but rather if you are not with me where are you? The Party needs to Communicate far more coherently and convince people that we will not solve todays problems with twentieth century thinking, in fact we need twentysecond century thinking if we are to survive. P.S. Why did we lose Tony Blair.You have certainly thrown the bathwater and the bath out with him! P.S. Why did we lose Tony Blair.You have certainly thrown the bathwater and the bath out with him!

I am very concerned about the lack of courage and clarity in the policy of the UK regarding the situation in Israel and Palestine. I am aware that as a member through the EU of the Quartet, the UK to an extent needs to work with other nations. Nevertheless, there is surely scope for the UK to state openly its awareness of the way Israeli 'Security' dominates the agenda, while the security of Palestinians is daily threatened both in Gaza and the West Bank. In particular, the continued building of settlements, with the roads which divide up Palestinian territory, so vividly described and analysed in Akiva Eldar's 'Lords of the Land, have devastated daily life and economy in the West Bank. Please will you speak up more clearly in open criticism of Israeli settlement policy: promises by Israel to cease to build settlements are made and totally and cynically broken. All of them are illegal under international law, yet no strong moves are made by the International Community to reverse this disastrous development.

New Labour hasn't criticised Israel at all, for dreadful atrocities it has perpetrated against the Palestinians over the last 60 years. I believe Blair and Brown are afraid to offend the US, whose support for Israel's actions is unquestioning. The US has vetoed every attempt to condemn Israel's policies, since Bush came to power. The suffering of the Palestinian people defies description. It was British foreign policy (1917-1947) which created the entire problem, and resulted in the Palestinians losing their land (having it stolen by the Zionists) and by today being treated as subhuman and segregated in ghettos which Israel totally controls. All this without a word of criticism or condemnation from any New Labour PM/British Foreign Secretary. It is a Party without any principles, and its leaders, in my opinion, are totally self-serving, seeking office and power. Eventually, the Party will have to pay the price for their hypocrisy. Sadly, the Brtish people have to suffer them, but worse, Afghans, Iraqis and Palestinians, have paid (and are paying) a much higher price.

In mentioning 'human rights abuses' in relation to what is happening in Darfur and Burma, it made me consider the indefinite detainment of prisoners at the American base in Guantanamo Bay, another incredible atrocity that we musn't forget. Of the hundreds of people who have been imprisoned there since January 2002, not one has been convicted of a crime by the US government. Many are held in solitary confinement and are subject to inhumane torture procedures. There are still three UK residents held in Guantanamo, one of whom, Ahmed Belbacha, if deported back to Algeria, his country of origin, faces the very real possibility of further ill treatment at the hands of the Algerian Department for Information and Security. What are you doing to negotiate all three prisoners' release and, where necessary, allow them to stand a fair trial?

I receive e-mails form labour party because I’ve joined party last year. I have always been interested in foreign policy so thought to leave a question here a few days ago, so I did. But surprisingly, it disappeared from here next day!! I was not happy about so I sent an e-mail to party and still waiting for their answer. Any way, while I’m waiting for response to come, I can still repeat my question: About Iran Nuclear programme. As already two sanctions has been passed through the UN to persuade Iran to halt Uranium enrichment (which had no effect). And with the third sanction on the way which I have serious doubt about its effectiveness and to have any impact in future. Also considering, unsuccessful negotiations between European Union and Iran so far. What solutions the UK government have in future to resolve this crisis with the help of other nations? And if (hopefully not) negotiations completely fail, what would be the next step to take?

Coming from a family that originates from the Kashmir region of Pakistan and being in Pakistan over Christmas and New Year, I and other British Pakistani's appreciate the support of the British Government during the lowest period of time for Pakistan. However, I still feel that we, the Labour Government, can do more to support the issue of Kashmir. In 2005, I along with my local MP, the only Kashmiri born Member of Parliament, successfully campaigned for Labour and sold the idea of being the only Political party in the history of British Politics to include the Kashmir issue within our manifesto. We need to deliver this promise. There are many human rights violations taking place in Indian occupied Kashmir. The International community need to look into these issues. As a young Muslim, born and bought up in the UK, and having supported the party even though I have not at all times agreed with our Foreign Policy, if we can be seen to be supporting for a peaceful resolution in Kashmir and Palestine, the Muslim vote in Britain will RETURN to Labour. There is only one party that has shown social inclusion and been a voice for ethnic minority communities in the UK and that is the Labour party. I will also like to take the opportunity to invite David and Doug to Birmingham to have discussions with the largest Kashmiri community outside Kashmir residing in Birmingham. I am willing to facilitate discussions in the build-up to the local elections and feel that such a dialogue will support Labour.

What is the Labour Party doing to redress the apalling situation of women in developing countries? For example, Nearly 70% of the word's poor are women, two-thirds of the world's illiterate adults are women. How can these countries lift themselves out of poverty when the rights of over half the population are systematically ignored?

I have recently read the autobiography of General Mike Jackson in which he refers to the way in which the US have listen to nobody and made a complete mess of the Balkans and Iraq. Though not in any way anti american and not in favour of a unified Euro Army. I believe that the EU has to become more militarily independant of the USA. What do you think?

I am appalled to see the Prime Minister cosying up to the Chinese government. I can just about stomach this in order to boost trade, with the the hope that on-going pressure can be brought to bear on human-rights issues, but to accept the invitation to attend the olympics. Has he not seen the reports of chinese people being hounded out of their homes by thugs, their living conditions made intolerable, incarcerated for standing up for themselves -- all this so that the developers can make money out of the olympics and athletes have a venue for two weeks.

Thanks for the opportunity to comment. I am proud of the intervention in Afganistan. Without elimentating the Taliban, the UK will be sbject to an influx of terror and drugs. The UK must get more help in fighting from other countries including the US though. What I am realy concerned about is the facilities available to the forces, when they are serving and, more importantly from an electural point of view, when they are injured. We must give them the best medical treatment and proper compensation. If we can't aford to fund the whole project then we must limit involvement.

I would like to preface my remarks by a few words about a Labour Policy which has been very successful, namely the introduction of a minimum wage. This was strongly opposed by the Conservatives and the business community who predicted financial disaster for companies and one million unemployed. To its credit the government persisted and none of the dire effects predicted happened. The level set was too low and it is still too low but it showed what could be done when the Government sticks to Labour Party principles. In foreign policy we are still living with delusions of imperial grandeur and overextending our armed forces in conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan which have no measurable benefit to the people of Britain. In Afghanistan in particular we have ignored our own history where at the peak of our imperial strength we were humiliated by Afghan tribesmen. If the Soviet Union with 250,000 troops and a ruthless policy could not subdue the country why do we think we can do it with a few thousand troops? The Government must withdraw our troops from these countries as soon as decently possible and resolve never again to engage in such immoral and hopeless ventures. We should in general confine our oveseas military activities to those sanctioned by the United Nations and use peaceful means of influence as suggested by the comments made by others on the British Council. Also I commend the comments made by those who have worked overseas, as I have, about making sure any overseas aid goes to projects and not into the hands of politicians and their cronies. In home policy one expects a Labour Government to redress the balance between the haves and the have nots but clearly this is not being done. One effect of this is to give people on low incomes the impression that Labour does not care about them and thus they may not turn out to vote (and why should they?) The Government must apply great energy to tackle the problem of wealthy individuals and companies avoiding fair taxation. The TUC has addressed the problem in "The missing billions - the UK tax gap", but only the Government has the resources to bring about an equitable taxation system. In summary - no more foreign adventures and fair taxation are policies which can regenerate the Party and the Government.

I have to support Richard regarding the domestic view of the utter failure of the Labour Government in mitigating the harshness of capitalism that we endure daily. It is an utter failure of domestic policy. It would seem that those members who "have" are clearly blind to those who do not. Running away to a developing world with the idea that they have it worse is very foolish indeed if not hipocritical. There are many decent honest people who would (foolishly) rather die than take the dole and end up in a vidictive (thanks to the banks) cycle of debt. This usually leads to very serious and very destructive consequences comparable to the developing world. I do however applaud the Labour Governments international record of cancalling the debt of the poorer countries and thier efforts (contrary to the media) in Iraq and Afganistan. I happened to serve in the RAF during this time and have an insight the media do not want publicy known. Of course the domestic agenda is more than a failure of the Labour Government it is a realisation that once people and politicains get what they want they do not care about anyone else, this government wdoes not even trust it's own education system hence the use of Private Education by ministers. Heavon forbid they trust there own children to the structure they tehemselves built. Still at least they are aware of thier own limitations.

Hi, Mr douglas and Mr david i dont know where to start from i have paise labour party since i can understand the world of politics all i want to say is if there would have been any other party then labour in the hard years that the world have seen in this last decade i can bet that they would have brought shame to britain and i fear any other party coming to power we are all with you labour if you need any help.and i personnely want to work for labour to contribute to the succesfull britain please get back to me on this many thanks.

I could probably go on and on about the UK's foreign policy failures but here are some obvious issues that we have not addressed properly or at all. 1. Climate change - nothing concrete has been achieved 2. Iraq - no apology has been issued and no investigation has been made into how bogus intelligence was a) gathered b) believed 3. International justice - there are far too many cases of the weak being oppressed by stronger neighbours and the UK doing little or nothing to help them [e.g. Palestine/Lebanon, Tibet, Western Sahara] and East Timor has had no support since its emergence from a tyrannical occupation 4. Nuclear weapons - there is much belligerance towards countries suspected of developing nuclear weapons but absolutely no attempt to meet our obligations under the nuclear NPT. 5. Debt - promises galore but no concrete action (this is definitely one of the tawdriest foreign policy failures) 6. US hegemony - something has to be done to rein in the US and stop it dictating to the rest of the world 7. Oceans - the worlds oceans are being treated as a dumping ground and are being over-exploited with potential disastrous consequences 8. Guantanamo Bay - this insult to humanity must be closed 9. Indigenous tribes - all over the world indigenous tribes are under threat from 'civilisation' and it is about time that the UK tried to help them before they are all wiped out. In contrast the 'achievements' touted on this website are trivial and were much easier to solve than any of the issues listed above will be. You may not be surprised to hear that I don't live in hope.

Thanks for your efforts to keep international issues high on the UK government agenda. As the World Bank's biggest donor, I'd like to think you are using your influence to ensure they work to strengthen good governance in national governments they work with, not just dictating terms to them but helping them build sustainable systems for the long term. At the same time, it needs to engage with community based organisations at a local level to shape appropriate development, not relying on mega projects that may grab headlines but make little real impact. As someone who worked for a decade in a developing country, I recognise Britain's greatest assets as our language and democratic system, and our greatest exports as the BBC World Service and the British Council. Can we guarantee that, despite the recent setback in Russia, we will continue to expand and deliver these two great institutions which have immeasurable impact for good in our world?

OK, so we are desperate for a Democratic win in November, but that still does not resolve the issue of whether we are Anglos or Euros. Whatever force for good people claim the USA is, whenever it disagrees with Europe it is usually wrong - Iraq and now the call for more efforts in Afghanistan (and many others, e.g. Musharraf, Soharto). Clearly Tony Blair thought that being close to the USA was the prime and only purpose of foreign policy. How and when do we make what level of a break? Or do we just wait and hope for the best under Hilary/Obama? We are closer to Brussels than Washington and perhaps we should behave like it rather more often. And I suspect we need to start with a quick escape from Afghanistan before it becomes another Iraq. It has already destroyed the Soviet empire - who next?

When you watch the razzmatazz of the selection process in America one wonders what these candidates think of the electorate. I say this because of the sedate system we have in this country. Each ward one meeting one vote all done and dusted!! We wait with baited breath the out come not of the actual election but of who is actually going to stand from each party!!! We are being tried by the press(as usual) about expenses declared in elections it blows my mind to think of the money being spent on the USA's election. This in a country that is teetering on the edge of an economic depression. I think instead of singing God Bless America they should be singing God help America and the world. Their free for all spend all economy should be a warning to us all, because if we do not think hard and fast this Party is going to get the blame for the next economic melt down. All I ask is that those who make the policies remember the roots of this party of ours and really listen to the people.

It is obvious that technology is getting the world together. It is also obvious that technology is tearing the world apart. The qestion is:what is our priority - peace or war? How do we get our proprities actualised? Firstly, let us address the issue of immigration. People from other countries come to places like Britain, but if you ask them, they will tell you Britain is good but their original countries are better. This means they would have liked to stay in their original countries if their leaders were forthcoming. Why can't we get their leaders forthcoming, even if it means institutionalising a more understanding government? By extension, we know that what is motivating most

Dear David/Douglas. Im not convinced the World bank is doing such a wonderfull work in the World. I was waching a documentry on the BBC where the world bank was providing the funds to destroy a rain forest and with it a whole tribe of people who rely on the forest for a living.This was also responsible for theis particular tribes way of life. I'm not sure where this was.If anybody has further information on this particular subject or watched the programme perhaps you could comment and then David and Douglas could put pressure on the bank to stop funding this project.

For me Britain's role in the world comes down to this: back up your money with visible progressive deeds such as: 1. start gradual withdraw from Afghanistan 2. put pressure on the israelis to meet with Hamas 3. create 'democratic colleges' for all ages in Africa and the Middle East based on FREE secular education 4. Engage British youth to understand politics by inviting groups of school children to Downing street to attend meetings with GB and ministers like yourselves - not a PR exercise but with concrete objectives.

The United Nations must be the most important group to help solve the worlds problems. With all the conflicts around the world it would appear life seems very cheap to some governments the way they treat the poor people who through no fault of their own cannot fight back. The tension in places like Burma and Zibabwee must be awful for the people who live there. But the tension is building in this country as we become more overcrowded.

I understand that many of the schools in Pakistan are run by the mosques due to lack of funding in state systems. Whilst I am not suggesting that this is responsible for an anti west outlook I believe it may be healthier if we could invest money in secular schools for both male /female children and adults

as for kenya it does not just need humaiteirian aid it needs a working sustaining acconimy... get the plans drawn up go to the acitects... then hit the ground and get the ground works done... foundate build and creat help fill the gap in the market... pipe lines for farming,,,,, soil annalisis...... green houses... jobs work profit run the mony back into the project reinvest in our selfs...... create self sustaining econimy..... use surplus for schools nhs sfree services... go go go....

Whatever action has to be taken must be done by peaceful diplomatic means, or with UN backing and UN troops. We must never again follow the United States way of invading a country, as in the case of Iraq. It is time to say to the US if you want to then do it alone don't involve us. Also try to encourage the US not to deploy the armed forces, but only use diplomatic means instead,as stated above.

It is not in the intrest of any other contry to let the united states go at it alone it would be morily wrong to let them, turn against them or neglect to restrain them from.We as the worlds most powerful nation should see that america is guided with the most care ful hand not letting it slip into its own wrong doing or mistake making attitudes... It is good to suppot.. please do not cause rifts in the ranks.....

Robert Magabe as made a real mess of Zimbabwe, and has certainly killed democracy. He has become as bad these other despots that have since been deposed. Action must be taken, for example expulsion from the commonwealth, no invitations to international sporting events e.g.Olympics, Commonwealth games, footbal championships, cricket, rugby. Also vetos/action from the United Nations against Zimbabwe. Leading to UN military takeover deposing Robert Magabe until full democratic elections have taken place.

Any person that defies global order guidlines should be brought to justice...it is parimount that we write and legislate global order rulings and agree across the bord world wide democracy and all in agreeance... send out the messanges comprimise and rule this world together as the one unit of protection that all living creatures on this earth are protected by.... do not hesitaste in making sure that every single wepon known to man kind is given its own persoal legslation as to the rules of its usage.. to prevent usage at all costs rule for global securaty.

The Government of Sri Lanka has unilaterally abrogated the internationally mediated and monitored ceasefire agreement, which was the only hope the Tamils had for peace. Now, the international monitors, who were the only independent witnesses to the government atrocities, have left; The few local journalists who had dared to question the government of Sri Lanka, about its’ policy of STATE TERRORISM have turned up dead in the streets. The stage is now set, for the unhindered orgy of brutal genocide of Tamils to continue in that dark and isolated corner of the world where there is no oil-well available to attract attention of the world powers and their manic-media. Britain should act swiftly, both in words and in deeds, if this impending human catastrophe is to be stopped. Please act before we are left with blood in our collective hands and scar in our national conscience, as we were with Rwanda, Bosnia, Darfur.

the message is peace... the media is a powerful asset and also a public authority for it has its public functions and inflewences its viewers and listeners. would it not make more sence to use the power of sugest to suget a calming of these horribe deees? please ask your self what is it that i am saying... and how can it be percieved... do not declear war for you will create an enamy

yes you are right lee........ if you poke the fire it will forsulerly bun at a greater farosity... stick that dog and it may bite your arse...... report the slowing and lessening violence... let the people believe it is true ... let them live it too... but do niot lie or make faulser sratement for it us they must trust not hate not resent it....

Britain continues to show reluctance to take firm action against the brutal regime of Sri Lanka which operates an open policy of racism against the Tamils in that country. United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Louise Arbour, since her facts finding mission to Sri Lanka, has directly accused the armed forces of Sri Lanka of abductions, murder and torture. She has also pointed to about the culture of impunity that is prevalent amongst them. Allan Rock, The special envoi to Sri Lanka of the UN Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, at his facts finding mission to Sri Lanka said, he had “encountered both direct and indirect, credible evidence of both complicity and participation" of the Sri Lankan armed forces in rounding up children to fight with the paramilitary groups of the Sri Lankan Government. Yet, Our country continues to be complacent with the empty rhetoric of the Sri Lankan government, alluding to, the ever elusive, all-party-package solution, southern consensus etc. Britain should take the lead in brining Sri Lanka to books. Without the foreign hangouts the regime would not survive. Trade sanction, Aid suspension and international isolation are the only effective tools to deal with rouge states.

What can we do to encourage health workers to stay in their own countries where they are often desperately needed rather than coming here where of course they will have much better prospects?

Britain in the World can only exist as part of Europe. The government (by which I mean its individual ministers as well as its corporate self) should stop being mealy-mouthed about Europe and start tackling the media and the populace in a way which will oppose the red-top press (well, all the press actually with a coulple of exceptions.) OF COURSE, THIS WILL MEAN BREAKING WITH MURDOCH. But Murdoch will not back us at the next elec