Richmond Park to Iraq

Written by Jenny Tonge MP and published in Online exclusive on Tue 7th Oct 2003

Most of you know by now that I am not standing for re-election at the next General Election. So it's with great pleasure that I can tell you that Susan Kramer has been selected by Richmond Park Liberal Democrats as their Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for the Richmond Park constituency.

I've known Susan and worked alongside her for years. She was our candidate for London's Mayor against Ken Livingston and fought a brilliant campaign. She knows the constituency well and her professional background in finance and transport will be extremely useful in campaigning. I know she will be successful.

Meantime, the work goes on. Yet again there's a threat to a Post Office branch in my constituency - this time in Friars Stile Road at the top of Richmond Hill. I've written to the Post Office, pointing out that a branch at the bottom of Richmond Hill is not exactly convenient for all my elderly constituents who live at the top of it. Susan and the local team have already been out collecting signatures for a petition to keep it open and I'm hoping against hope we can persuade the Post Office to change its mind this time.

At last the transport powers-that-be in London have recognised that Richmond and Kingston need to be on the new Crossrail line planned for 2016. Twelve trains an hour (four originating from Kingston and eight from Richmond) would give local people a speedy journey to Paddington, Bond St, the City, Canary Wharf and all the new jobs planned for the Thames Gateway. But there's a problem. One possible route would see District line service to Richmond almost eliminated (we would have to interchange at Turnham Green). It's a daft option not just for us but for the whole project because to be reliable Crossrail must have its own dedicated track. I am insisting that we get Crossrail as an addition to the District Line not a substitute. Susan and I will both be keeping up the pressure on this one.

Robin Hood Gate into Richmond Park has now been closed for some weeks - and my constituents have been strangely silent! I've had a few emails and letters about it - all but one from neighbouring constituencies. It's important to make your voice heard on this subject - if you are badly affected by disrupted traffic flows do let me know, because we have been promised a review after three months.

And what of the international scene? One topic dominated the agenda at the Lib Dem Party Conference more than any other - the mess that is Iraq today.

Lack of planning and failure to establish the rule of law after the conflict means more and more suffering for the Iraqi people.

The sooner they are in charge of their own political structures and security services the better, but the transition to democratic control must be managed by the United Nations.

The current situation, with the USA in control is unsustainable and we need help. The resolution being discussed in New York makes provision for a multi-national force, but whoever is in command, it must report to the Security Council of the United Nations.

In the last two years, the actions of George Bush and his colleagues, backed by Tony Blair, have increased the risk of terrorism and made the world a more dangerous place.

The United Nations must regain control.

We must also find solutions to the impasse between Israel and Palestine which is the root cause of terrorism and which has become worse since the war on Iraq.

Despite this our Government abstained on the United Nations vote to condemn Israel for seeking to expel President Arafat from Palestine - more evidence of Tony Blair's domination by George Bush.