Celebrity Politics

Letter to the Observer – April 2005

What a sad indictment of British politics it is when a handful of celebrities is compelled to justify the re-election of the tawdry New Labour government - 'Just Labour', Observer letters - 3 April.

It serves to illustrate the level of desperation to which we have politically sunk when we are advised to support an administration whose record - regarding the economy, public services, crime, and social issues & change, after eight years in power - fares marginally better than that under the Tories, or what's on offer from the Lib Dems.

Furthermore just what are these lights of the entertainment world who say that they opposed the illegal war in Iraq thinking? To suggest that the Middle East is more stable after the initial hostilities and then to endorse the man who was, along with George W Bush, jointly responsible for prosecuting them, is folly in the extreme.

And finally, to be duped by the talk of their preferred leader, regarding the most important issue of all, namely Climate Change, while ignoring the fact that their party of 'choice' is actually implementing aviation and road building policies that will exacerbate the problem, shows a collective ignorance of the situation and a complete abrogation of responsibility that beggars belief.

Perhaps it is time for a change, but only of the political climate. It is time that voters stopped looking to the least-worst option on offer at the forthcoming General Election. Instead of choosing between the 'Big 3' parties the electorate should go forth and go Green...

Ashley Gunstock

Racial Harmony

Letter to Redbridge Racial Equality Council - 4 June 2004

Thank you for your letter and enclosure post-dated 2 June.

The Green Party, as I am sure that you are aware, has an exemplary anti-racist record. Racial equality is one of the most important tenets of its fundamental policy document – the Manifesto for a Sustainable Society (MfSS).

I have been a member of the Green Party for almost 15 years and live by its beliefs. Therefore, in view of all the above, I have no problem in abiding by and endorsing your document, or any other, if it facilitates racial harmony.

Yours sincerely

Ashley Gunstock

Asylum and Refugees

Letter to Ilford Recorder - 15 December 2003

I write, having read with profound sorrow, about the pitiful death of Mr Kandiah Rasamohan, a Sri Lankan seeking refuge here in our community of Redbridge – ‘A sad, cold lonely death’, front page, Ilford Recorder, December 11.

What a sad indictment of our government it is that it has, through its harsh policies, left many asylum seekers and refugees at best to be collectively at the mercy of a national media driven hatred frenzy or, as in the case of Mr Rasamohan, left to crawl away, suffer and die alone under a bush like a wild animal.

We, as one of the most civilised nations on earth, should hang our collective heads in shame at the treatment that we allow to be meted out to some of the most vulnerable people in our midst; fellow human beings who have escaped from hunger, torture and/or war to vainly seek refuge here in Britain.

I often feel helpless to do anything in order to reverse this dreadful situation. However, one of the accompanying articles on page 3 of your newspaper thankfully gave the telephone number, for those wishing to help at the Redbridge Night Shelter over the Christmas period. I contacted Ms Vojinovic on 020 8514 8958 on behalf of my wife and I to offer our services to help out on Christmas Day & Boxing Day.

I do hope that others will also volunteer – as it is not too much to ask to help keep the centre open at this time of good will – and that Kandiah Rasamohan’s death will not merely be just another ‘statistic to remind us of a world that doesn’t care’…

Ashley Gunstock