What is truly English and what is there to defend about the EDL?

from the PScrapbook Website

Today after a lovely day watching the Olympics, I was informed via Twitter, by David Forman, Harlow TUC representative (@harlowTUC), that the English Defence League was organising an event in Essex.  He asked me for my response.

Well, let me first of all thank David for the information, and for his immediate action in opposing the EDL.  I have huge political differences with him - and he spends much of his time campaigning against me.  But, on this issue, I hope - and think - we can be absolutely united.  I abhor the EDL and any organisation which directly or indirectly encourages the politics of hatred.  In fact, at the top of my blog, is an introductory statement stating the very same.

Just as I condemn - and have done many times - extreme Islamists (such as those who burnt Poppies during Remembrance Sunday), so I decry the EDL.

Ironically, both have exactly the same effect: they promote division, they present a minority view, as if it was the majority - and they represent no-one but themselves.  I have seen the EDL interviewed on the BBC and have real distaste for their views. When you see the organisation in action - the aggravation and violence that inevitably follows, that distaste turns into disgust and a realisation that if decent people do not stand up to the EDL, then the cohesion of our nation will suffer enormously.  We can't allow the politics of fear to flourish.

Fortunately, in recent times, the BNP appears to be disintegrating - losing out electorally and suffering from internecine warfare.  The EDL acts as a vacuum - hoovering up disaffected BNP activists.  BNP or EDL, the activities are similar - aggression.

My opposition to the EDL does not mean I don't think we should get to grips with immigration issues facing our country.

Far from it.  We need a system that is firm but fair - welcoming those who suffer from genuine political persecution, but not having an unrestricted open door policy for economic migrants. Why? Because our small country does not have the room, the housing, the infrastructure or the jobs for millions of extra people.  This does not mean putting up the drawbridge, but having a quota for economic migrants, toughening up our Border Police and having a no tolerance policy towards extremists.  Mainstream politiicians can't sweep real concerns about the level of immigration under the carpet - that will allow organisations like the EDL/BNP to flourish.

My Father's side of my family are immigrants to Britain (I was born here).  My Grandfather was an Italian Libyan Jew who had to leave Libya because of Gadaffi. He always wanted to come to England because he saw our country as the most peaceful place on earth.

I want Britain to be at peace with itself. That is why I welcome the decision of our local TUC to go to Chelmsford on 18 August, not just to oppose the EDL, but to stand up for real British values of fairness, tolerance and decency.  The EDL should be told, there is nothing truly English about them and nothing to defend.

P.S.  If you want to read more about the EDL, see HERE.

by Robert Halfon MP - Working Hard for Harlow.

Opposing the appeasement of Iran

On Monday there will be an important debate on Iran. John Baron MP has tabled a Motion opposing - under almost any circumstances - military action against Iran.

If passed, this would mean that the UK or Nato could not take action even if Britain was attacked by the Iranian Regime.

As I have written before on my Blog, Iran is the new Soviet Union of the Middle East. It represses its citizens at home and has expansionist aims abroad. The regime funds and supports terrorist movements around the globe and has been active in undermining stability in Afghanistan and Iraq - by supporting the insurgents. Iran's Leaders have also often declared their willingness to destroy the State of Israel. A nuclear Iran would pose a huge threat to not just the Middle East - but across the world.

With a number of other MPs, I have tabled an alternative to John Baron's Motion. As you can see, the amended Motion is signed by all-parties, including the former Tory and Labour Defence Secretaries.

You can see the Motion and Amendment below and HERE.

Main Business

1 BACKBENCH BUSINESS (unallotted day) [Until 10.00 pm]
IRAN
Mr John Baron
That this House believes that the use of force against Iran would be wholly counter-productive and would serve only to encourage any development of nuclear weapons; and calls upon the Government to rule out the use of force against Iran and reduce tensions by redoubling diplomatic efforts.

As an Amendment to Mr John Baron's proposed Motion (Iran):
Sir Malcolm Rifkind
Sir Menzies Campbell
Mr Bob Ainsworth
Richard Ottaway
Rory Stewart
Robert Halfon

Other MPs have since signed the Amendment:
Mr Stephen Dorrell
Malcolm Bruce
Dr Thérèse Coffey-
Mr Dave Watts
Albert Owen
Alun Michael
Andrew Miller
Jim Sheridan
Steve Rotheram
Mr Jim Cunningham
Lindsay Roy
Sir Bob Russell
Jacob Rees-Mogg
Bob Stewart
Mr Bernard Jenkin
Margaret Beckett

Line 1, leave out from 'House' to end and add 'supports the Government's efforts to reach a peaceful, negotiated solution to the Iranian nuclear issue through a combination of pressure in the form of robust sanctions, and engagement led by the E3+3 comprising the UK, US, France, Germany, China and Russia; and recognises the value of making clear to Iran that all options for addressing the issue remain on the table.'.

Home Office Civil servants oppose Home Secretary's decision to ban Islamist extremists from Britain

On 30 May 2010, I wrote THIS blog about the extreme Islamist Zakir Naik who had been invited to Britain. Fortunately, Mr Naik's application was blocked by the Home Secretary, Mrs Theresa May, who refused him entry into the UK. The main point of my blog however, was not just that we should stop fanatics from arriving on our shores, but that we needed to look at why such people were being invited in the first place.

Now we learn that the Home Secretary's correct decision to ban Mr Naik has apparently been opposed by her own civil servants in the Home Office, some of whom - according to the Sunday Times - are at best appeasing, and at worst encouraging extreme Islamism in the UK. It is understood that senior officials have criticised the decisions and one has allegedly been suspended for trenchant criticism of the Mrs May.

For this reason, I and some other MPs have written to The Daily Telegraph, condemning the activities of these officials and urging that the Office of Counter Terrorism does not act against David Cameron's determination to root this poison out of our country.

You can read more details HERE.

by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com