The UN used to stand for peace and diplomacy. In last thirty years the project of globalisation heralded the end of sovereign states, boundaries and territories. The UN had the potential to be a positive agent for a new era of global politics. One where all countries could work within the new rules of globalisation, where universal norms and rights were upheld and where the focus on global politics was diplomacy not war. The UN has never been without its problems, outdated power structures, smaller and less economically developed countries have little bargaining power and the veto’s allowed to bigger countries allow many issues to be side stepped. However, within the structure of the UN smaller countries can work together, forming a powerful voting block to be reckoned with. NGO’s and grassroots groups work with countries in issues such as health, human rights and working practices.

I like the UN. It symbolises a desire to work together to reach unanimous goals and ideals and that all countries-no matter its size or GDP-have a place at the debating table.

Not any more. We all know about Bush and Blair’s horrific acts of ignoring international law. Iraq. Tony Blair began his career as PM as a force for diplomacy and democracy, and after the long days of Thatcher, British politics needed an international statesman. He began work on the Africa Commission, albeit he always had a bit of the Christian missionary about him. Britain’s place in international politics was almost something to be proud of.

Not any more.

Fighting escalated on both sides as the much-vaunted peace conference in Rome broke up after failing to reach agreement to call for an immediate ceasefire. Condoleezza Rice, the US secretary of state, backed by Margaret Beckett, the foreign secretary, resisted calls from 13 other countries, as well as the UN secretary-general, Kofi Annan, for such a ceasefire.

(The Guardian today)

I feel so angry, ashamed and scared that as a country we are part of a team that is producing global instability. For Blair’s supporters, Labour and the left has always been associated with the Palestinian cause, and for Blair kneel down and let Bush tell him what he can and can’t do it horrendous.

After 7/7 the government was adamant that British Foreign Policy had nothing to do with the London bombings. Even for an armchair politician this is clearly untrue. Home grown terrorists do not just suddenly become so through a visit to Pakistan. What led them there does. Living in a country in which you are still framed as the “other” and watching the very people you would call brothers and sisters die on a daily basis would politicise any marginalised youth. When Bush is creating what seems to be a religious war, if you are already on the “evil” side, then where else is there left to go?

This isn’t about Israel’s right to defend itself, this is about the continuation of the so called war on terror- condoning a devastating attack on a country that has slowly rebuilt itself after many years of civil war. Destroying infrastructure, killing UN observers and trapping citizens is out and out war. There are three known wars occurring in that region at present. Make no mistake, if this was the UK, France and Germany, this would be named World War III.

Amnesty International, The Church of England and the Muslim council of Britain are among those who have urged Tony Blair to press for a cease fire. He didn’t.

Marching in February 2003, I had a feeling that I was doing something, that I was actively engaged in the democratic process in the UK. It is clear now, three years on and with the Taliban rising again in Afghanistan, civil war in Iraq and the Israel/Palestine/Lebanon mess that Tony Blair is no longer fit to govern. He is nothing more than Bush’s yes man and he is ignoring the protest of his country.

The Lib-dems need to reclaim the left to offer a viable alternative in UK politics. Labour no more, and god forbid the Tories. Shit