Is there hope at last?
A new internet campaign has begun to remove Tony Blair ([www.iwontvoteblair.com->http://www.iwontvoteblair.com/]) as an alternative to impeachment. The basic philosophy is that you can't personally vote Tony Blair out unless you live in Sedgefield, but his MPs can make him resign. The only reason they'll get rid of him is if he'll lose the election. They will lose their seats if you don't vote for them - that's motivation! All you are asked to do is write to your MP and clearly state, 'I promise I won't vote for a party with Tony Blair leading it' and tell all your friends to do the same. Should I put my name to this, or just hope that Tony Blair and his capitalist clique are just a bad dream? Yours Which Blair Project?
Dear Which Blair,
Haven’t you learned yet that Auntie is a cynic? And that Blair is not going anywhere? As much as I would love for the bastard to be expelled, let’s be realistic. Not a single Labour MP has had the balls to support impeachment – why the hell would emails from you and your mates make them change their mind? They didn’t when war actually started. And even when we had the chance, not a single pro-war MP was deselected.
Unfortunately buddy, you’re not alone. Former independent MP Martin Bell is trying a similar ‘will-fail’ tactic – he’ s trying to get Blair’s opponents in Sedgefield to unite around one anti-Blair independent. The Tories and Lib Dems just laughed in his face. Which is what Auntie is doing now at the ‘I Won’t Vote Blair’ website. (It’s not exactly an eye-pleaser; its webmaster would do well to take a peek at this month’s ‘Guerilla Guide‘.)
What worries me most is the crap response on the site to the FAQ, ‘Won’t we just get Gordon Brown, Michael Howard or Charles Kennedy instead’? ‘Probably. This is about democracy.’ Yeah, well, maybe if the left tried to focus on providing an alternative then we might not think we were voting in vain. Or fought for good ol’ proportional representation so our votes counted. These things won’t come soon (or ever), Auntie despairs, so why not use your energy to fight Blair and co at next year’s G8 in Scotland? Otherwise, you could just foment revolutionary hot air for another four years.
Red Pepper by email
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