By Anthony Webber:
All 15 by-election Candidates were asked how they would bring about peace in the Ukraine/Russia conflict.
They were given a list of ten easy to answer questions and invited to make any further comments they wished to make.
They were given a flexible time frame in which to do this.
They were told their responses would be given to the media so the public could be made aware of them.
They were also told that one purpose of the responses was to bring about some well overdue debate on the issue.
The Candidates were also asked to support and promote awareness of a new Parliamentary Petition which urges the UK government to change direction and become a neutral peacemaker.
The Petitioner argues that the issue is of major importance for many reasons, including the fact that the UK government policy is also causing financial hardship.
The responses sent by the Candidates is appended below.
Please note that where a candidate did not respond, reference has been made to their response on another media’s questions to candidates:
This had some other useful questions, but the answer the candidates gave on the question:
Should we boost our military to counter Russia?-Was used as guidance to their opinions
It is up to voters to decide for themselves, but some of the answers demonstrated reckless warmongering at extra taxpayers’ cost.
As for this questionnaire on Ukraine/Russia policies, it was fully answered by four of the fifteen candidates:
Catherine Blaiklock, English Democrats.
Peter Ford, Workers Party of Britain.
Michael Williams, Independent.
Dan Clarke, The Liberal Party
It was answered partially by:
John Stevens, The Rejoin the EU party, who gave a brief statement of his views.
It was not answered by:
Howlin Laud Hope, Monster Raving Loony Party
Jason Philip Hughes, Volt United Kingdom
Alan Mckie, Independent .
Graham Harry Moore, English Constitution Party
Paul Andrew Murphy, Social Democratic Party
Also, the five mainstream parties failed to answer the questions:
Chris Copeman, Green party, did not respond
Paul Duffy. Liberal Democrats, did not respond
Sean Houlston, Conservative party did acknowledge, but did not respond.
Sarah Pochin, Reform UK, office did acknowledge, but did not respond.
Karen Shore, Labour party, did not respond.
Interestingly, three of these did not respond to the northwestbylines questions either
It is this sort of arrogance from politicians which people are getting fed up with.
If they cannot be bothered with campaign questions, then what else can they not be bothered about?
Two of the 15 candidates seemed to fully comprehend what the Ukraine/Russia conflict is all about!
Catherine Blaiklock ( English Democrats) and Peter Ford ( Workers Party of Britain), although different parties, on this issue they effectively agreed on all the answers to the questions.
The key points are that they did not believe it was in the UK public’s interests to be involved in the conflict.
That the public were suffering in many ways including rises in costs of living and energy, and billions being given to Ukraine.
That there were neo-Nazis influence in Ukraine and a lack of freedom and democracy.
That UK government’s policies were against the interests of world peace, and that the UK government was complicit in needless mass slaughter.
That the UK government were not being honest about Ukraine and that there was a need for free and open debate on the issue.
Finally, they supported a referendum on the issue if the government did not change their policies.
Dan Clarke, the Liberal Party candidate, and Independent candidate Michael Williams both made good efforts in their responses.
John Stevens ( The Rejoin the EU Party )gave a statement, which is at least a response.
It is concerning that only five of the fifteen by-election candidates had the courage to give their views on one of the most important issues of our time.
It is very shocking that the five main parties did not respond and were put to shame by the candidates who did not duck the issue.
On occasion with these election surveys one or two of the main party candidates will respond.
The fact that all of them did not is a shocking inditement of their couldn’t care less attitude.
Reform UK supporters will be particularly disappointed as the party’s claim to bring about change is made to look rather hollow.
They know that if Sara Pochin, their candidate, had put her head above the parapet and given her views, it would have put pressure on the other main party candidates to debate the issue.
The other main parties reluctance to engage on this serious issue is a mark of the terribly deteriorating political situation the UK is in.
Reform UK have scored an own goal by unnecessarily putting themselves in the same camp as those who having been losing the trust of the British public.
You cannot take your support for granted in any party.
This issue also puts to shame the local and national media, who have been protecting the main party candidates, when they are the ones who should have been asking the questions.
Whoever wins this by-election, and it may be immigration which is the deciding factor, needs to bear in mind that being remote and arrogant will take them down ultimately.
Onto positives and the candidates who responded did so in good faith, and did what all candidates should do.
The purpose of this article is to inform the voting public of the candidates’ views and for people to make their own judgements.
The letter sent to candidates and the responses are detailed below.
Anthony Webber
Independent Political Commentator
Email which was sent to all Candidates:
For the kind attention of candidate
I am doing a report on the Runcorn and Helsby By-Election Candidates’ views on the government’s policies on Russia/Ukraine.
The reason for this is that costs of military and other aid has been approximately £15bn since the conflict began and is rising.
On top of this there have been many other costs such as major rises in costs of living and energy for everyone.
There has been taxpayer funded support for some of the population:
Energy price support of £44bn
Cost of living support of £34bn
Totalling £78bn just in the period 2022- 2024.
Ukrainian refugees ( approximately 300,000) cost £1.2bn a year.
These are government figures, but we don’t know what has been hidden from us.
In contrast the direct involvement in Afghanistan cost £1bn a year with few other adverse effects.
I would therefore be most grateful if you could answer the following brief questions.
Feel free to add any comments you wish to make.
The responses will be dealt with totally fairly and impartially and be released to the local and national media:
1.)Do you believe the UK government’s policies on the Ukraine/Russia conflict are in the interests of the British public?
YES/NO
2.) Do you believe these policies serve the interests of world peace?
YES/NO
3.) Are you aware of the cost to the British public of these policies?
YES/NO
4.) Do you believe that the government has been honest about the consequences of their Ukraine/Russia policies?
YES/NO
5.) Are you aware of the Neo-Nazis influence over Ukraine policy and that it is a major reason for the conflict?
YES/NO
6.) Are you aware that there is no longer any democracy in Ukraine?
That there is martial law?
That many opposition political parties and media have been banned?
That much of Ukraine has been sold off to Hedge funds and other investors?
YES/NO
7.) Are you aware that Ukrainian and Russian casualties are approximately 1.6 million and 143,000 respectively?
That the UK is de facto complicit in this mass carnage?
YES/NO
8.) Are you aware that the UK media is presenting a one-sided version of the Ukraine conflict, so the true facts are not given?
YES/NO
9.) Do you believe there should be free and open discussion about the government’s Ukraine/Russia policies?
YES/NO
10.) Do you believe policies such as these should be subject to a Referendum and would you support this new one:
> https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/714303
YES/NO
Thank you for your co-operation on this and I look forward to hearing from you by Tuesday 22nd April.
After that date, we will be releasing the responses publicly.
Good luck with your campaign
With kind regards
Anthony Webber
Independent Political Commentator
Footnote
The UK government’s policies on Ukraine and Russia clearly have human, economic and social costs.
However, there are also major Environmental costs.
What is the point of the UK public suffering to bring about climate change policies, if the UK government is negating any benefits by promoting war in other countries and creating huger carbon dioxide emissions?
In the first two years of the Ukraine conflict at least 175 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions have been produced.
This is more than those produced by a country like Belgium ( 150 million metric tons)
There has been the equivalent of $32bn damages in respect of climate impacts of the conflict.
30% of Ukraine has been contaminated with landmines and unexploded ordinance.
Bombing and other methods of modern warfare directly ha\rm wildlife and biodiversity.
Pollution from war contaminates bodies of water, soil and air.
Warfare releases greenhouse gas emissions and there are many studies on this subject in relation to both the Ukraine conflict and elsewhere.
For instance, the damage caused by the warfare in Israel/Gaza is equivalent to burning more than 1.5 million barrels of oil.
The above are just some of the reasons there needs to be honesty by politicians on key issues such as Russia/Ukraine, but open and fair debate in a national referendum on the issue.
Responses from Candidates in Alphabetical Order:
1.) Catherine Blaiklock, English Democrats
1.)Do you believe the UK government’s policies on the Ukraine/Russia conflict are in the interests of the British public?
NO – STAY OUT OF ALL FOREIGN INVOLVEMENT.
2.) Do you believe these policies serve the interests of world peace?
NO PEACE REQUIRED AND BRITAIN IS NOW NOT A MAJOR POWER.
3.) Are you aware of the cost to the British public of these policies?
YES
4.) Do you believe that the government has been honest about the consequences of their Ukraine/Russia policies?
NO
5.) Are you aware of the Neo-Nazis influence over Ukraine policy and that it is a major reason for the conflict?
YES + BIDEN ADMINISTRATION AND NATO AND EU
6.) Are you aware that there is no longer any democracy in Ukraine?
That there is martial law? yes
That many opposition political parties and media have been banned? YES
That much of Ukraine has been sold off to Hedge funds and other investors?
YES
7.) Are you aware that Ukrainian and Russian casualties are approximately 1.6 million and 143,000 respectively? yes
That the UK is de facto complicit in this mass carnage?
YES
8.) Are you aware that the UK media is presenting a one-sided version of the Ukraine conflict, so the true facts are not given?
YES
9.) Do you believe there should be free and open discussion about the government’s Ukraine/Russia policies?
YES
10.) Do you believe policies such as these should be subject to a Referendum and would you support this new one:
> https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/714303
YES
AGREE WITH THE WRITER OF THE QUESTIONAIRE.
2.) Dan Clarke, The Liberal Party
Q1) At present I believe that ending the conflict would be best interest for all including the UK.
Q2) an ending to any conflict will have positive ripples across the globe.
Q3) there has been a financial cost to the public. But to do nothing would cause a risk of greater costs not just financially to the UK. More lives would be lost in Ukraine.
Q4) in my view very few governments have ever been 100% honest or truthful with the public.
Q5) I am not aware of any Neo Nazi influencing policies.
Q6) in context to no elections being held in Ukraine due to the war, i was aware of. We must not forget during world war 2 we had no elections in our own country. The points you referring to as for opposition parties etc I was not aware.
Q7) any loss of life during conflict is always regrettable. But let me make one thing 100% Clear, Russia is at fault. No lives needed to be lost if Russia had not Illegally gone into Ukraine. Anyone who supports or is sympathetic to Russia in this conflict should be ashamed. Russia is to blame for the killing and displacement of millions of people in Ukraine.
Q8) in the UK we have a freedom of speech, free media and press. Yes all media outlets give versions they want their viewers to see. So long as such media outlets are not promoting Violence against others and views are balanced and not providing mis information. Other than the parameters just stated, The state should not control what media puts out.
Q9)yes I do believe there should be an open discussion
Q10) I do believe there should be a greater role of “Direct democracy” in the UK.
Many thanks
Dan Clarke
3.) Chris Copeman, Green Party
Did not respond.
Question from other media: “Should we boost our military to counter Russia?”
Chris Copeman: We do need to increase defence spending because of the threat from Russia and to support Ukraine. We need closer ties with Europe to be part of a European defence programme.
4.) Paul Michael Duffy. Liberal Democrats
Did not respond.
Question from other media:: “Should we boost our military expenditure to counter Russia?”
Paul Duffy: Yes 100%. The Lib Dems are calling for a rise in defence spending to 3% not the current 2.5% to combat the threat from Russia.
5.) Peter Ford, Workers Party of Great Britain
Fully responded:
1.)Do you believe the UK government’s policies on the Ukraine/Russia conflict are in the interests of the British public?
YES/NO
NO! Absolutely not. The opposite.
2.) Do you believe these policies serve the interests of world peace?
YES/NO
NO. Again obviously the opposite.
3.) Are you aware of the cost to the British public of these policies?
YES/NO
Yes. But the government try to hide it from the wider public.
4.) Do you believe that the government has been honest about the consequences of their Ukraine/Russia policies?
YES/NO
No. Quite the reverse. They have obfuscated.
5.) Are you aware of the Neo-Nazis influence over Ukraine policy and that it is a major reason for the conflict?
YES/NO
Yes. True.
Are you aware that there is no longer any democracy in Ukraine?
That there is martial law?
That many opposition political parties and media have been banned?
That much of Ukraine has been sold off to Hedge funds and other investors?
YES/NO
Yes. But of course this is ignored or covered up by the MSM.
7.) Are you aware that Ukrainian and Russian casualties are approximately 1.6 million and 143,000 respectively?
No. I do believe however that the casualties on the Ukrainian side are vastly under-reported and those on the Russian side, as claimed in Western media, are inflated.
That the UK is de facto complicit in this mass carnage?
YES/NO
Yes. To the hilt.
8.) Are you aware that the UK media is presenting a one-sided version of the Ukraine conflict, so the true facts are not given?
YES. No question about it. All blinkered.
YES/NO
9.) Do you believe there should be free and open discussion about the government’s Ukraine/Russia policies?
Yes. Fat hope, however. The establishment is deterrnined to close down all serious discussion.
YES/NO
10.) Do you believe policies such as these should be subject to a Referendum and would you support this new one:
> https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/714303
YES/NO
Yes. I have already supported it and the Workers Party as a party support it.
6.) Howling Laud Hope ( Monster Raving Looney Party)
No response.
7.) Sean Houlston ( Conservative and Unionist Party)
No response, two acknowledgements
8.) Jason Philip Hughes ( Volt United Kingdom)
No response.
From other media question: “Should we boost our military expenditure to counter Russia?”
Jason Hughes:
We can longer rely on the USA. A united Europe has the equipment and personnel to become a world-class military. United we stand, divided we fall.
9.) Alan McKie, Independent
No response.
10.) Graham Harry Moore, ( English Constitution Party)
One acknowledgement, no response.
From other media question: “Should we boost our military expenditure to counter Russia?”
Graham Moore: Russia’s not the threat – immigration is, as history shows. We should revive the English militia tradition instead.
11.) Paul Andrew Murphy ( Social Democratic Party )
No response.
From other media question: “Should we increase our military expenditure to counter Russia?”
Paul Murphy: We live in an increasingly dangerous world, we should rearm to protect ourselves from those who wish us harm.
12.) Sarah Joanne Pochin ( Reform UK Party )
One indirect acknowledgement, No response
13.) Karen Louise Shore ( Labour party )
No response
14.) John Stevens ( The Rejoin EU Party )
From: John Stevens
Subject: Re: Candidates’ questionnaire for by-election
To: The Rejoin EU Party <admin@therejoineuparty.com>
Sir,
I fear your questionnaire reveals your pro Putin position. Russia is a European country but President Putin has placed it firmly in the Chinese camp and under Chinese economic control, reviving indeed the Tartar Yoke. I fully support European efforts to support Ukraine, a fellow European country, resist Putin’s aggression which fundamentally endangers the peace and security of our continent. I look forward to the failure of this aggression which shall surely come, sooner or later. A failure which I trust will lead eventually to Russia becoming a fully European country, with all that entails, economically, culturally and politically.
John Stevens.
Sent from my iPhone
15.) Michael Williams, Independent:
Anthony,
I certainly admire your zeal.
Many thanks for appreciating the nuance of the situation and for expanding the yes/no format. I do believe in openness and so I hope that the following, incomplete, responses illustrate that belief.
Questions 1-3
It’s difficult to assess a wide range of policy initiatives in a succinct way. I feel that there is a mixed bag, although in brief I broadly support the government’s approach. I think that the long-term impact of not sustaining support for our allies would outweigh the immediate cost. Although I would qualify that viewpoint by saying that there are limits. Russia has demonstrated that it has a distinct interest in the weakening of the bonds between NATO states and their allies. While I am of course not blind to the human cost, I see that every pound spent not only makes Ukraine stronger, but also Russia weaker. Weaker both militarily, but also in their level of influence on the global scale.
Question 4
I think the government has been honest, but not necessarily open. Governments tend to address the most pressing issues on the mind of the public, and the truth is that public interest has begun to lapse. This does allow the government to focus on other areas.
Question 5
I am not aware of any neo-nazi influence
Question 6
I am aware that elections have been suspended
Question 7
I was not aware of those numbers, and I appreciate that such numbers are naturally difficult to determine with any sense of accuracy. However I believe that most authorities have come up with different figures.
Question 8
That’s a question that itself feels one-sided. I believe appropriate coverage is available if you look in the right places.
Question 9
Naturally
Question 10
No. While, in principal I support the greater involvement of the public in policy decisions, I simply do not feel that this is an appropriate issue. Primarily this is because we had a general election last year at which Ukraine was much discussed. While I may not completely agree with government policy I acknowledge that they have a mandate to act in this matter.
Well I hope that this covers the majority of your questions. Please feel free to remain in touch, and ask any further questions.
Kind regards,
Michael
END
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