Dead soldiers’ families launch election bid
Bereaved families of soldiers killed in Iraq will next week officially launch their bid to contest the seats of ministers who supported the war.
The plans, which are set to be unveiled on the first day of the Labour party conference, will see more than 70 candidates step forward to stand in the next general election.
The prospective MPs will stand – only in Labour constituencies – under the name Spectre. Among those being contested is Gordon Brown’s Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath seat.
Spectre refers to itself as an umbrella support group rather than a political party.
Its main aim is to bring the government to account for “misleading” Parliament in attempting to justify the Iraq war three years ago by, for example, claiming that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction and could strike within 45 minutes.
It is also focused on ensuring soldiers still in Iraq are not let down by faulty equipment and systems failures.
Pledging “to make sure that never again will a serving prime minister be able to take the country to war without Parliamentary approval based on facts”, it would provide a “voice” for bereaved families and more support for returning troops.
Rose Gentle, one of Spectre’s parliamentary candidates and the mother of fusilier Gordon Gentle who was killed in Iraq June 2004, told politics.co.uk she was standing in support of the troops serving in Iraq and aimed to stop “these illegal wars”.
“It means the families of dead people can stand up and voice their opinions without being gagged,” she added.
Another candidate will be Reg Keys who stood against Tony Blair at Sedgefield at the last general election winning more than 10 per cent of the vote. Mr Keys is the father of 20-year-old Thomas who died three years ago after being attacked by a mob.
In a statement issued with his wife Sally on Monday, he said: “We would like to stress from the outset that Spectre is not anti-military and we do indeed support our troops wherever they may serve as they have to fulfil their duties without question. Spectre has members with family still serving in the forces.
“What we do oppose is the reckless use of our armed forces in Iraq in a conflict based on deceit about the existence of weapons of mass destruction. This was an occupation which flouted international law and was not supported by the United Nations.
“Furthermore, troops were deployed to Iraq with serious concerns over the lack of suitable equipment, many of which have been well documented.”
Mr Keys said that military families accepted “that our loved ones may have to make the ‘ultimate sacrifice'”.
However, he added it was only possible “to accept our loss and quietly grieve” if a family member “dies in a just war based on truth and integrity, fully equipped, backed by the UN and in line with international law”.
