Candidates give views on the government’s Ukraine and Russia policies
There are 17 candidates in the Uxbridge and South Ruislip by-election on 20th July.
(There are two other by-elections on the same day, Selby and Ainsty, and Somerton and Frome, which will be written about separately).
This by election was caused by the resignation of the former Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, as an MP, following criticism of his conduct by the Commons Privileges Committee, in relation to what he said to Parliament and other related matters.
According to a recent opinion poll, the top three issues in this by-election are:
59% said cost of living ,including food prices and energy bills.
29% said rising mortgage and rent costs.
40% said opposition to Ulez ( the ultra low emission zone) being extended to outer London.
Other issues included concerns about:
NHS hospital and GP waiting lists.
The general woke agenda.
Immigration out of control.
Freedom of speech and debate, openness and transparency
Honesty integrity and trust in politics
So two of the major issues are hugely influenced by the government’s policies on Russia and Ukraine, yet there is no electoral debate about this!
It is ironic that the previous MP for this constituency was the former Prime Minister who embroiled the UK in the Ukraine conflict with no mandate whatsoever.
He was also directly responsible for prolonging the conflict when he helped scupper a peace deal which was due to be signed a year ago last April!
Thus, the candidates were sent a questionnaire to obtain their views on such issues, or whether they only believed in selective free speech and transparency.
(In other words if they only wanted to debate election issues which suited them, rather than the public interest).
It is up to the reader to judge for themselves the responses of the candidates,( which are detailed after the questionnaire)
They were all treated equally, were given three reminders, so it was done scrupulously fairly.
I have not included any discussion with the candidates about following up with them when their responses clearly had inaccurate information, as it as their responses which mattered.
QUESTIONNAIRE
For the attention of ..Name of candidate
I write to congratulate you on your candidature for the Uxbridge and South Ruislip by election on 20th July 2023.
I am reporting on the by-election and would be grateful for your views on one subject area, that of the UK government’s policies on Ukraine and Russia.
I therefore ask you to answer the following questions:
1.)Bearing in mind that the majority of world countries do not sanction Russia and are neutral, should the UK now adopt a neutral stance and focus on peace making?
YES/NO. Any comments…………
2.)Do you believe it is acceptable for the UK government to spend billions of taxpayers’ money on weaponry for Ukraine?
YES/NO..….. Any comments…………
3.) Do you believe it is acceptable for the UK government to spend billions of taxpayers’ money on aid and other expenditures for Ukraine?
YES/NO.….. Any comments…………
4.) Are you aware of how much money the UK government has committed to Ukraine?
YES/NO. Any comments………….
5.) If you agree with spending taxpayers’ money on Ukraine, how much would you be prepared for the UK to pay per year?
I don’t agree with spending any money at all….
Or I agree with spending £………….pa
Any comments……….
6.) Do you believe that the government should have been honest with Parliament and the UK public about the consequences of their Ukraine and Russia policies?
YES/NO. Any comments……….
7.) Are you aware that any taxpayers’ money spent on Ukraine, means that money is not available for many expenditure requirements in the UK?
YES/NO. Any comments
8.) As the Ukraine and Russia policies of the government have been the main reason for:
Rises in Cost of living and Energy prices, Inflation, Interest rates, Rents, Mortgages, Utilities, Income Tax and Local Council Rates,
Reductions in Local and National Services and much more….
Is all this justified to support one very dubious side in the Ukraine conflict?
YES/NO. Any comments……………
9.) As the Prime Minister stated that financial and military support was available to Ukraine “ for as long as it takes,” how long do you think the UK can shoulder this burden before it becomes untenable? YES/NO. Any comments…..
10.) As there is no mandate for the government’s Ukraine and Russia policies, do you believe that if the government does not end such policies, that there should be a Referendum on the issue? YES/NO. Any comment
11.) Like Iraq, there is no plan for the objectives of the UK government’s intervention in Ukraine.
Do you believe the government should be open and transparent about its intentions?
YES/NO. Any comments……
12.) Do you believe that NATO has lost sight of its original principles and that the UK’s membership should be reviewed?
YES/NO. Any comment…..
13.) Do you believe that the UK government betrayed the Afghan people to the Taliban, not standing up for democracy, freedom, human rights and women’s rights and education? YES/NO. Any comment….
14.) We have over 240,000 Ukrainian refugees in the UK, the vast majority of whom arrived in the UK after Boris Johnson persuaded the Ukrainians to not sign a peace deal ith Russia, prolonging the conflict, costing approximately £2bn a year.
Do you accept that ending the conflict urgently is necessary to end the refugee crisis?
YES/NO. Any comments…..
15.) Do you accept that the government’s Ukraine and Russia policies have put back the genuine green agenda in the UK?
YES/NO. Any comments…..
16.) Do you believe that the government’s policies in Ukraine and Russia should primarily be in the best interests of UK citizens?
YES/NO. Any comments….
17.) Do you believe that the government’s policies on Ukraine and Russia best serve the interests of world peace and safety from nuclear catastrophe?
YES/NO. Any comments….
18.) Do you believe that a free media, free speech, and free debate should be allowed on the subject of the government’s Ukraine and Russia policies, and that restricting it is not acceptable in a country which purports to adhere to democratic values?
YES/NO. Any comments…..
19.) There are reliable reports that British service personnel are serving in Ukraine under the guise of mercenaries, and also acting as military strategy advisors.
Do you believe that all British service personnel should be withdrawn immediately as there is no democratic authorisation for this and risks the UK being fully involved in a war?
YES/NO. Any comments…..
20.) The Ukraine President has announced that elections will be delayed until 2024 and will only be held then if martial law is ended by then.
Other countries conduct elections during time of war and conflict, but not this Zelensky government, who have already shut down opposition political parties and media.
Do you believe that the UK government should insist on the resumption of democracy in Ukraine?
YES/NO. Any comments…..
Do you have any general comments to make on this issue?….
…….
I thank you for your attention to this and respectively ask for your response by Thursday 6th July 2023 at the latest.
The results will be published and given out as a media release.
With kind regards
Anthony Webber
Independent Political Commentator
RESPONSES ( in alphabetical order):
1.) Kingsley Hamilton-Anti Ulez Independent
He was pressed for time but responded as follows:
Questions in order:
1`.) No because Russia is an aggressor ( at least that is what we are told by the media)
2.)Yes
3.)Yes because we are a humanitarian country
4.) Not are, although I know it is a lot
5.) Not sure how much money the UK should pay, but leave it up to the experts.
6.) No. In a war situation you cannot tell the public a lot of information.
7.)Yes, am aware that spending money on Ukraine means less for UK needs
8.)Yes to expenditure justified even if it affected the economy and cost of living, etc.
9.)Yes, as long as possible.
10.) Yes, on balance.
11.)Yes, as far as possible but trusting in their judgement.
12.)Yes, because the UK government should regularly review membership of all bodies it is a member of.
13.)Yes.
14.)Yes but subject to many factors. Hate war and want peace.
15.) No but not completely sure because of different factors.
16.)Yes, they should be.
17.)Yes, but not straightforward.
18.)No because of being in a conflict.
19.)Unsure because of the legal situation and consequences.
20.)No. Should not have elections at war times.
2.) Danny Boy Beales, Labour party candidate
He did not acknowledge any of the emails sent to him and it was noticed that he promotes the Ukraine flag.
The Labour party actively supports the Conservative government’s policies on Ukraine and Russia, but this was an opportunity for their candidate to distance himself from them if he so wished.
3.)Blaise Maxime Pasqual Baquiche, Liberal Democratic candidate
He was very courteous and responded as follows:
Hi Anthony,
Thanks for reaching out.
In response to the general theme of your questions, I can firmly state that the Liberal Democrats will continue to stand full square behind President Zelensky and with the whole of Ukraine. That means urging the Government to explore all options in fulfilling his request for more equipment, including jets.
The party’s position on Ukraine has not changed since February this year, which I suggest you read in full.
On environmental issues, the Liberal Democrats are committed to fighting climate change and you can see our most recent national policies set out in our Green Recovery Plan.
Kind regards,
Blaise Baquiche
Liberal Democrat Candidate for Uxbridge & South Ruislip
The party’s position on Ukraine is stated below:
We stand with Ukraine
LM
by Layla Moran
24 Feb 2023
We all remember waking up, a year ago today, to the most dreadful scenes on the news.
But Putin’s barbaric illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine began, what we could not be sure of was that his gamble would fail in such a spectacular fashion.
In the face of his imperial ambitions and the numerical might of the Russian army, Putin thought Ukraine would just roll over. And while those atrocities have not stopped, and Putin’s barbarism has not yet been halted, it is undeniable – it’s turned into a military embarrassment for Vladimir Putin.
Why? Because he underestimated the Ukrainians. Their commitment to those values that we too hold so dear – democracy, liberty and human rights. He underestimated their fortitude and bravery in the face of, in the words of President Zelensky, the most unimaginable hardships – bravery which will lead them to victory.
Putin underestimated us and our allies in Europe, North America and across the world, too. He bet that we would be divided when it mattered most. That, when push came to shove, we would take the easy option – words, not deeds. And that he would get his way. How wrong he was.
Our unity makes Putin afraid. Not just the UK’s unity with our allies – but unity within our countries too. I have been so proud of the support I see in this country. The British public showed their deep-seated generosity last year, opening their doors to Ukrainians. And whenever I travel to different parts of the country there’s not a town or village I pass through without Ukrainian flags flying proudly.
Britain stands with Ukraine. Liberal Democrats stand with Ukraine.
And we will continue, in particular, to stand with our sister parties. The Holos party, led by Kira Rudik, showed true global leadership – particularly on the question of sanctions and of repurposing frozen Russian assets to help reconstruct Ukraine. And the Servant of the People Party, led by President Zelensky, a democratic hero for our age.
And as we enter the second year of the invasion, Liberal Democrats will continue to stand fullsquare behind President Zelensky and with the whole of Ukraine.
That means urging the Government to explore all options in fulfilling his request for more equipment, including jets. I hope that the Prime Minister has been using the recent opportunity of the Munich Security Conference to personally appeal to our allies to do so.
We will continue to make the case that we should fulfil President Zelensky’s call of treating Russia as a terrorist state, which he has made in both his speeches to Parliament, by proscribing the Wagner Group. Putin’s mercenaries are carrying out atrocities in Ukraine on a daily basis. It’s time to treat Russia as the rogue state it is.
And it’s vital that we do not rest on our laurels while Putin’s cronies continue to get away with it. Liberal Democrats have been calling for an economic retaliation package – starting by closing down the lucrative loopholes that funnel Putin’s illegal wealth to his dwindling front line. And we will continue to urge the Government to publish the review of golden visas – which was commissioned nearly five years ago.
Over the last year, we have seen the worst of humanity – and the best. Liberal Democrats continue to be proud to stand shoulder to shoulder against tyranny, and we will stand with Ukraine until they are victorious.
4.)Cameron Swaran, Bell, Independent candidate
Dear Anthony,
Thank you for the extra day to respond.
My response is as follows.
“We, unfortunately, need to spend on defence and provide aid to those in need. I do not believe we should do nothing and I do not believe we should do more than we can. Given that we are a prosperous nation, one of the permanent members of the UN security council and a country with plenty of soft power, there is much we can offer before we impoverish ourselves.
To be clear, I am supportive of the UK government’s decision to provide aid and a safe passage to the UK for refugees and provide military assistance to Ukraine.”
I apologise for not offering a more detailed response to your questions. Doing so is likely to detract from the central themes of my campaign. Moreover, as an independent candidate, unlikely to get elected, or able to affect international policy if I am, it is not necessary to offer an opinion on this topic.
I hope this will suffice.
Kind regards,
Cam
5.) Count Binface
He did respond as follows:
Dear Anthony,
Many thanks for getting in touch and for your kind invitation to fill our your questionnaire. With regret, I don’t have sufficient time to give you the full answers that your important questions deserve. However, I am happy to give you my brief opinion, which is that I give my 100% support to President Zelenskyy and to Ukraine in their brave resistance against the illegal invasion by Putin, or as he is known in Recyclonese, Dobby The War Prick. Please do give these results to the local and national media.
Galactic best wishes,
CB
6.)Piers Corbyn, Let London Live party
He responded as follows:
Difficult to read quests and type:
Q1 YES the UK should be neutral and call for a CEASE FIRE AND PEACE CONFERENCE – as I said at the rally in April
Q2 NO not a penny to Zelensky regime
Q3 4 5 ditto to 2
Q6 The UK arms funding has caused deaths on both sides. YES honesty required.
Q7 YES
Q8 none of the spending is justified. The claimed rise in energy costs due to the war is bogus. The war is an excuse for energy cost ampups
Q9 Stop Now
Q10 Referendum YES
Q 11 12 13 YES
Q14 TO 19 yes
Q20 The main impact of the war is ideological brainwashing and control of UK population.
Well done all best piers
07958713320 for any quests
7.) Laurence Fox, Reclaim party
He said he would respond, but despite plenty of reminders, he did not do so.
There appears to be no policy statement on Ukraine on the party website.
8.) Steve Gardner, Social Democratic party
It is Fair to comment that his party colleague at the Selby by-election did fully respond.
He responded as follows:
Apologies Anthony. I’m just not going to have the time as I’m having to deal with an urgent situation at work. Thanks for the reminder though.
Best regards,
Steve
Steve Gardner
SDP PPC for Uxbridge & South Ruislip
SDP Regional Coordinator
North West London
Twitter – @SGardnerSDP
Facebook – @SDPNWLondon
9.) Ed Gemmell, The Climate party
He did not respond.
10.) Sarah Green, Green party
She did not respond in any way, although the Green party candidate at Selby did.
11.) Richard Hewison, The Rejoin the EU party
He responded as follows:
Thank you for your questions. The Rejoin EU Party is a single-issue party and as such has no specific view on the matters you raise. However, we forwarded on your questions to our candidate Richard Hewison in the Uxbridge & South Ruislip by-election, who responded as follows:
“Vladimir Putin is the single biggest threat to a stable global society we currently face. His war-mongering should be opposed in the strongest possible terms and in my view, the UK government is doing the VERY minimum it should in regard to this matter.”
Best regards,
The Rejoin EU Party admin team
On Fri, 7 Jul 2023 at 12:57, The Rejoin EU Party <admin@therejoineuparty.com> wrote:
——– Forwarded message —
13.)77 Joseph, Independent
He did not respond
14.)Enomfon Udoka Ntefon, Christian Peoples Alliance
She gave a full response:
1.)Bearing in mind that the majority of world countries do not sanction Russia and are neutral, should the UK now adopt a neutral stance and focus on peace making?
- Any comments It is unacceptable for any country to invade another for any reason. This was the principled stance that Margaret Thatcher took when Argentina invaded the Falklands and is the right approach. The world becomes a much more dangerous place if countries can get away with invading their neighbours. Having said that of course every effort should be made by the international community to bring about peace.
2.)Do you believe it is acceptable for the UK government to spend billions of taxpayers’ money on weaponry for Ukraine?
YES..….. Any comments. There has to be a limit on what we spend and should of course seek peace so the killing comes to an end but we have to stand against Russia’s aggression. Our priority would be to assist with missile defence to protect the civilian population from the missiles Russia is raining down on them.
3.) Do you believe it is acceptable for the UK government to spend billions of taxpayers’ money on aid and other expenditures for Ukraine?
YES.….. Any comments. The war will be over at some point and when it is then the country will need help reconstructing. At this point there can be massive financial advantages for Britian being involved in the reconstruction. In the meantime of course humanitarian aid is vital to help those suffering from the war.
4.) Are you aware of how much money the UK government has committed to Ukraine?
YES. Any comments £4.6billion over 2 years.
5.) If you agree with spending taxpayers’ money on Ukraine, how much would you be prepared for the UK to pay per year?
I agree with spending £2.3bn.pa roughly what we are now.
Any comments. There has to be a limit to what we spend but CPA policy is to raise over £40bn from a turnover tax to get money off Amazon, Facebook, Goole, Starbucks, Shell etc who send their profits abroad so don’t pay corporation tax. £2.3bn is not an enormous amount of money to the Government. Our policy is also to stop aid to countries that are persecuting Christians like Pakistan and Nigeria and some of that money could be sent to Ukraine.
6.) Do you believe that the government should have been honest with Parliament and the UK public about the consequences of their Ukraine and Russia policies?
YES. Any comments. I’m not aware of any dishonesty. Britian was way ahead if the USA in reacting to the invasion and did very well. Bidens initial response was to tell Zelensky to run away and say he couldn’t do anything.
7.) Are you aware that any taxpayers’ money spent on Ukraine, means that money is not available for many expenditure requirements in the UK?
That’s not true. We would also cut quangos which the taxpayers’ alliance says is costing the nation £90bn a year. We would introduce one Professional standards Authority and get rid of Quangos like Social Work England, the Teacher Regulatory Authority, Wilton House etc. and save £30bn immediately. WE can easily save or raise £2.3bn a year.
8.) As the Ukraine and Russia policies of the government have been the main reason for:
Rises in Cost of living and Energy prices, Inflation, Interest rates, Rents, Mortgages, Utilities, Income Tax and Local Council Rates,
Reductions in Local and National Services and much more….
Is all this justified to support one very dubious side in the Ukraine conflict?
This is a very loaded question. Russia’s invasion has led to a rise in energy costs and food shortages but Hungary who is giving very little to Ukraine has been affected by these as well. Starmer’s announcement he will stop all oil and gas exploration is causing a problem for the industry and also increasing prices. The fact our inflation is higher than most other countries is due to the Bank of England keeping rates low for too long, long after the Federal Reserve in the USA increased them. https://www.euronews.com/2022/10/30/hungary-closing-public-facilities-due-to-soaring-cost-of-energy
9.) As the Prime Minister stated that financial and military support was available to Ukraine “ for as long as it takes,” how long do you think the UK can shoulder this burden before it becomes untenable?
YES/NO. Any comments…..
We have to seek peace immediately and must seek an end to the war but we can’t just cut off support. What we spend though should be kept under proper review.
10.) As there is no mandate for the government’s Ukraine and Russia policies, do you believe that if the government does not end such policies, that there should be a Referendum on the issue?
There should be a referendum on whether the World Health Organisation can decide Health policy for us in a future pandemic. That is a much bigger issue. The cost of the lockdowns dwarfs what we spend on Ukraine.
11.) Like Iraq, there is no plan for the objectives of the UK government’s intervention in Ukraine.
Do you believe the government should be open and transparent about its intentions?
YES. Any comments. There is no comparison between Iraq and Ukraine. Iraq was an illegal war begun by a US President who said he wanted to finish what his father started and a British Prime Minister Tony Blair who stated in writing to George Bush “we will support you whatever you decide.” Together they dreamt up weapons of mass destruction which didn’t exist as an excuse. There is no comparison between that and helping a country that has been invaded. A better comparison is the Falklands War where Argentina invaded the Falklands and we went and sent them packing at considerable cost.
12.) Do you believe that NATO has lost sight of its original principles and that the UK’s membership should be reviewed?
- Being tied into a treaty where the US will guarantee to defend us if we are attacked is of incredible value.
13.) Do you believe that the UK government betrayed the Afghan people to the Taliban, not standing up for democracy, freedom, human rights and women’s rights and education?
YES Any comments. Donald Trump was negotiating a peace agreement where the Taliban agreed not to kill any American soldiers while discussions were taking place and an agreement was in the offing. Biden came in and stopped all discussions and decided to run away leaving all the US military equipment as a bribe. It was Biden who betrayed the Afghan people not us. WE couldn’t do anything about it.
14.) We have over 240,000 Ukrainian refugees in the UK, the vast majority of whom arrived in the UK after Boris Johnson persuaded the Ukrainians to not sign a peace deal with Russia, prolonging the conflict, costing approximately £2bn a year.
Do you accept that ending the conflict urgently is necessary to end the refugee crisis?
- Ukrainians are welcome here. WE have less Eastern Europeans here now than we had when we were part of the EU. The Ukrainians were never offered a peace deal that made any sense for them.
15.) Do you accept that the government’s Ukraine and Russia policies have put back the genuine green agenda in the UK?
- The Net Zero agenda is increasing energy prices quite apart from the Ukraine war. It is becoming clear that continues oil and gas exploration is necessary in the long run. WE can’t just rely on wind and solar.
16.) Do you believe that the government’s policies in Ukraine and Russia should primarily be in the best interests of UK citizens?
- We have to consider the needs of Ukraine following its invasion. If we were invaded I hope other countries would rally round to help us.
17.) Do you believe that the government’s policies on Ukraine and Russia best serve the interests of world peace and safety from nuclear catastrophe?
YES. It is essential to world peace that dictators are not able to get away with invading neighbouring countries. If this is allowed to happen the whole world becomes a much more dangerous place.
18.) Do you believe that a free media, free speech, and free debate should be allowed on the subject of the government’s Ukraine and Russia policies, and that restricting it is not acceptable in a country which purports to adhere to democratic values?
YES. Of course. People are entitled to different points of view but we have to come together facing the truth, not on the basis of emotional arguments.
19.) There are reliable reports that British service personnel are serving in Ukraine under the guise of mercenaries, and also acting as military strategy advisors.
Do you believe that all British service personnel should be withdrawn immediately as there is no democratic authorisation for this and risks the UK being fully involved in a war?
- AS I understand it the only British servicemen fighting n Ukraine have gone their voluntarily as part of the Ukraine overseas battalion. They are not there as part of the British Army. We have no right to stop anyone going there freely if they wish. If this is wrong and British Army personnel have ben forced to go there against their will then that is wrong in a serious war zone.
Do you have any general comments to make on this issue?
War is always unpleasant and we should do our very best to avoid it. However when it does break out we have to take a principled position not a utilitarian position. We have to ask what is the principle at stake here that we may need to fight for, not will our country get as benefit from being involved in this war or will it cost too much? We have to take MORAL decisions all the time then the world will be safer.
15.)No ULEZ Leo Phaure, Independent
There was an initial response but no views given
16.)Steve Tuckwell, Conservative party
He gave no response
17.)Howling Laud Hope, Monster Raving Loony party
He did not respond.
Electors have only one vote, so they need to pick just one of the 17.
This is because the electorate is still saddled with the first past the post system.
Clearly, the STV system( Single Transferable Vote) does not exist for Parliamentary elections, which is a huge shame because this system enables the preferred candidate of the majority of electors to become elected, rather than the candidate with the most number of initial votes ( even when that percentage is very low indeed).
I have my own view of the importance of completing election questionnaires:
I believe it is part of demonstrating that the individual candidate is a servant of the public rather than expecting the public to serve them with their votes, for nothing in return.
It is very easy for a candidate to say they have not the time to do these things, but is that the attitude they are going to display if elected to Parliament?
There is a saying, “ask a busy person to do something, and they can be relied upon to do it.”
This applies to elections and politicians, even though there can be exceptions to this.
To me, it is very concerning when people wanting to get elected, try and avoid answering questions.
It smacks of double standards when such people demand free debate on selective issues, but not on other very important issues.
The government’s policies on Ukraine and Russia are causing major harm to the cost of living of UK citizens .
These policies cannot be ignored! It is wrong to pretend they are not there and do not cause damage!
It is dishonest and dishonourable to try to sidestep these issues.
This questionnaire has opened up debate, which is so vital if we are to have a free and democratic society.
The main parties and some others want candidates to go into denial.
Therefore, great credit is due, not just to those who fully completed the questionnaires, but those who made some comments, even if not always entirely constructive.
It is with dialogue that it is possible to resolve the situation.
Another important point is a candidate being prepared to engage with those they disagree with.
If such a person becomes elected at least there is an indication that they will engage with you, rather than ignore you as some constituency MP’s do.
I commend the Liberal Democratic candidate, Blaise Baquiche, with providing a lot of detail even though he did not directly answer all the questions.
I particularly commend the Christian Democratic Alliance candidate, Enomfon Udoka Ntefon, for fully answering all the questions.
I also commend the Let London Live candidate, Piers Corbyn, for fully answering all the questions.
The summary was six candidates not responding in any way.
Three candidates responding
Six candidates giving some form of response.
Two candidates giving full responses.
What seems to be evolving is this:
1.) A neutral stance by the UK government being a preferred choice
2.) A concern about the amount of taxpayers money spent on weaponry for Ukraine
3.) A lower concern about other taxpayers aid to Ukraine
4.) A lack of awareness of how much money the UK government has committed to Ukraine
5.) A view that there should be limitations on how much taxpayers money is spent on Ukraine
6.) A view that the government should be more honest about the consequences of their policies on Ukraine and Russia
7.) A growing awareness that taxpayers money spent on Ukraine means that money is not available for UK spending
8.) A realisation that the range of economic issues, rises in taxes and reductions in services, are very influenced by the government’s Ukraine and Russia policies
9.) An understanding that financial and economic support for Ukraine “for as long as it takes,” is untenable.
10.) An acceptance that the government’s policies on Ukraine and Russia have no mandate and increased support for having a referendum on the issue.
11.) A need for the government to be open and transparent about the objectives of their Ukraine and Russia policies
12.) A view that NATO and the UK’s membership should be reviewed.
13.) Agreement that the UK government betrayed the people of Afghanistan.
14.) Agreement that ending the conflict urgently is necessary to end the Ukrainian refugee crisis.
15.) Agreement that the policies had put back the green agenda
16.) Agreement that government policies in Ukraine and Russia should primarily be in the interests of UK citizens.
17.) Agreement that government policies on Ukraine and Russia should serve the interests of world peace and avoiding nuclear catastrophe.
18.) Very much agreement on the need to have free speech and debate on the government’s Ukraine and Russia policies.
19.) Agreement that any British miliary serving in Ukraine should be withdrawn.
20.) Agreement that Ukraine should not postpone their elections.
What has become apparent in my interactions with the candidates is the lack of knowledge of the policies of the government on Ukraine and Russia and their consequences on the United Kingdom. The preparedness of candidates to accept the government view and their “experts” views without questioning them, is worrying especially when it is acknowledged that the government engaged in a widespread disinformation campaign throughout the covid-19 “pandemic” period. Some candidates admitted that they supported the government policies based on the information which was supplied to them by the government as well as the compliant media.
This is why a free media and free debate is so important. Some candidates support elements of the government policies based on believing a pack of lies.
This adds another quality needed of a potential MP, the ability to ask questions without fear or favour.
It should be pointed out that all the information here has been offered to mainstream media since the start of the by-elections.
It is indicative of how biased and unfree they are, that not even the local media have taken this up yet.
It is nothing short of a disgrace.
In the Appendix below is list of the Candidates and the results of the 2019 General Election, when Boris Johnson was re-elected to the seat. He was first elected there in the 2015 General Election, when incidentally UKIP were third with 14.2% of the vote
Anthony Webber
Independent Political Commentator
Seventeen candidates are standing in this by-election. The full list was announced on 23 June 2023.
| 2023 Uxbridge and South Ruislip by-election[13] | |||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
| Independent | Kingsley Anti-Ulez | New | |||
| Liberal Democrats | Blaise Baquiche | ||||
| Labour | Danny Beales | ||||
| Independent | Cameron Bell | New | |||
| Count Binface | Count Binface | ||||
| Let London Live | Piers Corbyn | New | |||
| Reclaim | Laurence Fox | New | |||
| SDP | |||||
…
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