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ROBUST
DEMOCRACY
- PLEASE USE IT !
I remain resolutely convinced of the moral and practical justification
for military action against the Taleban in Afghanistan. It was
encouraging for many local people that on his recent visit to
the Middle East, the Archbishop of Canterbury also said there
was really no alternative. I believe in justice, not revenge.
It is our duty to help the hungry, sick and destitute Afghan
refugees, most of whom left their country before 11th September.
A measure of success will be how many of them we can help to
return home to rebuild their lives and their country under a
broad government representative of their own people.
I will continue to listen carefully and to take into account
the voices of dissent in this country and elsewhere. This is
a privilege and a duty in our robust democracy - and represents
all those decent values, rights and responsibilities which have
been denied to the wretched people of Afghanistan for years.
The more the aid agencies squabble and the more front-line
journalists vie with armchair generals to second-guess our political
and military strategy and tactics, the more thankful I am for
the quiet dedication of Her Majesty's forces and that other
army of scientists, technologists, civil servants and defence
industry personnel who support them.
My gratitude extends to all those who work in our emergency
services and the local authorities who are working on high alert
to protect the public from terrorism and its consequences. We
are all in this together. How appropriate that this is the season
of red poppies - lest we forget those who died for the freedom
we are now defending.
Meanwhile, ordinary life must go on. In Parliament I was the
first to raise with the Home Secretary the whole question of
young British citizens becoming mercenaries for the Taleban.
I moved an Amendment to the Export Control Bill to give our
Government new powers to control such activity. The Government
was caught on the hop. They didn't like my Amendment - but they
have promised a new Bill shortly.
Last month was the warmest October for over 300 years. What
might that mean for the coming winter? Will it be warm and wet,
or cold and dry? I suspect I know what the good people of Downton
would prefer - and I am pleased that a lot of work has been
done this summer to reduce the risk of flooding. There is, however,
still a mismatch between statutory and ancient common law responsibilities
and the need for action to clear waterways and ditches in our
brave new world without either traditional water bailiffs or
abundant farm labour. I am pursuing that, too.
May I draw your attention to two local issues, which, above
all others, need not just public consultation, but lively debate
in the community? If you think they are boring, please don't
complain in five years time when you decide to disagree with
them.
First, Salisbury District Council has received the Inspector's
Report on the Local Plan - which will set the framework for
local domestic and industrial development for years ahead. This
is a process which seeks to empower you - the citizen. Have
you responded? Or are you quite content to leave it to your
councillors? Do you even know what development is planned in
your neighbourhood? Check it out! And what should be in the
next local plan?
Secondly, Wiltshire County Council has published its Draft
Waste Local Plan to 2011. If you have any concerns about refuse,
recycling, landfill sites, incineration, green energy or related
issues - now is your big opportunity. I think the County Council
has done a very good job in preparing this plan. Do you agree
with it? Perhaps, like me, you would like to see even more emphasis
on recycling - preferably doorstep sorting and recycling.
In our democracy, whether the issue is defence against terrorism
or where the dustbins go, the ultimate power is in the hands
of the voters. Do not underestimate the consequences when the
voters no longer bother to vote.
ROBERT KEY MP
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