11th August 2007

Greens totally condemn the Government decision to allow RAF Menwith Hill, near Harrogate, to be used as part of the the US Missile Defence System, in the upgraded ‘Star Wars’ programme.

This is surely evidence that Gordon Brown is like Tony Blair: a slave to George Bush. The ‘Son of Star Wars’ Missile defence system is a frightening development which could open up a new Cold War with Russia. This installation at Menwith Hill puts the UK in the front line of any attack on America.

It is no wonder a YouGov poll this week showed 54% of the public agree (compared with 24% who disagree) that "the siting of US missiles and early warning bases in the UK, Poland and the Czech Republic as part of the US National Missile Defence programme, increases the security threat faced by the UK and Europe (22% did not know either way).

It is a shame that not one of Gloucestershires MPs joined the open letter by 20 MPs expressing deep concern at these plans and condemning the Governments' failure to debate the proposals fully in the House of Commons. This must rank as the most undemocratic action of this Labour Government to date.

Cllr Martin Whiteside
Hillside, Claypits Lane, Thrupp, Stroud
Stroud Green Party Parliamentary Candidate

Notes for Editors:

The two bases  Fylingdales and Menwith Hill are to have key roles in the global network of Signal Intelligence (SIGINT) bases which monitors the world communications and relays information to NSA HQ at Fort Meade in Maryland, USA.

See MPs letter at:
http://www.cnduk.org/pages/press/070802.htm