Convention of the Left – Debate '08

Convention of the Left – Debate ’08 Planet, Peace, People Manchester 20-24th September What is the true cost of Britain’s involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan? An invite for academic, research papers and investigations. We would like to invite researchers, students and campaigners to investigate and research the true costs of Britain’s involvement in Iraq and…

Liam

June 4, 2008

2–3 minutes

Convention of the Left – Debate ’08

Planet, Peace, People

Manchester 20-24th September

What is the true cost of Britain’s involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan?

An invite for academic, research papers and investigations.

We would like to invite researchers, students and campaigners to investigate and research the true costs of Britain’s involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan, and to then present their findings at a key session during the Convention of the Left which is taking place Manchester in September 2008. This idea is inspired by the economists Joseph Stigliz and Linda Bilmes book. “The Three Trillion Dollar War“.

Stigliz & Bilmes’ book brought together for the first time the ‘facts we need to understand the financial, economic and social consequence of the Iraq conflict”. The main focus of the book was on the USA. The authors devote a small section in their book on the cost of the Iraq war to Britain. Stigliz and Bilmes put forward an estimated cost to the UK of the Iraq war (table 6.1) of £20.9 billion. It this area that we believe needs further research, investigation and exposure. What is also not been subject to any rigorous and meaningful examination is the true cost of Britain’s involvement, up to now and in the future, in Afghanistan.

We would like to encourage research and investigation in all or of any part of the financial, economic or social cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

We would envisage the results of any research being produced to published on a website and to become freely available as a resource for campaigners, journalists and the general public

If you are interested or want further information, please contact us

Richard Searle – 07760 224 580 / gearie@aol.com

Linda Clair – 07985 624 968 / lindaclair@btinternet.com

For the Convention of the Left

Jacqui Burke. Greater Manchester & District CND

(0161) 273 8283 / gmdcnd@gn.apc.org

Please forward this message to anyone you think may be interested in participating in this project

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The Convention of the Left will take place during the Labour Party conference which is being held in Manchester in late September. The Convention of the Left is a counter conference that seeks to unite left and progressive forces in developing alternatives and co-operative working.

For more information about the Convention please visit. www.conventionoftheleft.org.

The Convention of the Left will consist of four days of themed debates and discussions

3 responses to “Convention of the Left – Debate '08”

Pop goes the weasel

June 5, 2008 at 9:50 am

The plans and ideas for The Convention of the Left in September are combining to help bring about what promises to be a vitally important meeting point for the Left with much healthy discussion and debate.

In respect to the ongoing imperialist wars in Iraq and Afghanistan ( and the British state’s continued military involvement in the North of Ireland).Coupled with it’s present attempts to bolster army recuitment through deeper involvement of the army cadet corp in schools ,the introduction of an annual “celebratory” ‘Armed forces day’ (with suggested use of Premier league football stadium through AND likely live televised events al a Remembrance Sunday/Trooping of the colour/The Royal Tournement) to be led no doubt by none other than the ever hideous Head of state and family with accompanied collection of men in unform .

I do think that the Left and the anti war movement needs to seriously discuss these ongoing cynical ideological developments and develop not just a serious critique of British imperialism but it’s military and the oh so bland and highly inadequate ‘our boys’ view of the British military but come up with solid practical ideas to counter this imperialist ideological offensive.

Perhaps, the anti war movement and the Left need to more clearly challenge not only the broad acceptance of vast amounts of tax payers money on imperialist wars, military spending,nuclear weapons but the brutal and murderous history and nature of the imperialist British army / militarism and all it stands for,the barbaric training procedures,the lack of political and trade union rights within the forces rather than pandering to supporting ‘Our boys'(and girls).We need a serious critique of the ARMED FORCES themselves

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William

June 5, 2008 at 3:37 pm

First, I stumbled across this post and enjoyed reading it, and am looking forward to seeing the outcome of this convention.

Second, I noticed your mention of Bilmes’ and Stiglitz’s study. I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind linking to the book’s blog, where I am the web admin. You can it at http://www.threetrilliondollarwar.org. If you would like to contact me personally, you can email me william@echoditto.com. Thanks!

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Liam

June 5, 2008 at 4:12 pm

Blimey even books have blogs! It’s done William.

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