For 2006 conference report click here

Some photos from Guildford

John Morris leafleting in Westborough Ward, Guildford

John Morris and Kate Potter setting out to deliver leaflets in Guildford, Spring 2007

Peace Party activists Kate, John and Pauline and a supporter at the weekly
Silent Vigil in Guildford High Street

PEACE PARTY 1st NATIONAL CONFERENCE: OCTOBER 2006

The very first national conference of the U.K. Peace Party was held in Brighton at the Friends Meeting House in mid-October 2006. It was an all day event, which, although attracting only a relatively small number of participants, was most successful. This was due in large measure to the very good speakers attending, but also to the venue, which was excellent, and most appropriate for such a conference. The day went smoothly and well thanks to very efficient organisation and it gave the delegates much food for thought on a whole range of issues. After introductions and welcomes form the President, John Morris, and Chair, Geoff Pay, each speaker in turn gave a thoughtful, measured and sincere talk on their subject. These were as follows:

Jeff Bolam on A Pacifistic Response…….the possibilities.
Jeff explored the meaning of pacifism, which is often misunderstood, and what might stand in the way of being a pacifist. He also concentrated on the positive aspects of a pacifistic response and showed the way forward with creative, constructive and imaginative approaches to world problems. 

John Lynes on Peacemaking in Palestine.
John explained that violence is the language of the voiceless. He said that peacemakers must learn to respond to the hopes and fears of both Palestinians and Israelis who deserve our understanding more than they do our condemnation. 

Milan Rai on Terrorism, Realism and Propaganda.
Milan criticised the British government for refusing publicly to accept a connection between its foreign policy and the heightened risk of terror. This is despite leaks from inside the police and security forces, growing public disbelief and the statements of bombers themselves. This foreign policy has embodied in it support for the Israeli assault on Lebanon, the US confrontation with Iran as well as the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. 

Chris Okereator on Sectarian Conflicts in Africa: What Role for the Civil Society?
Chris described the phenomenon of sectarian conflict in Africa which has become a persistent and depressing item on the agenda of conflict management on the continent.. He said that conflict in Africa is symptomatic of lack of consensus, a sense of exclusion and the disregard of the rule of law by both governments and combatants. The government capacity for managing conflict has remained coercive and counter-productive. Constrained by these developments, the social sector that should be involved as a viable actor in conflict resolution mechanisms is the civil society.

Moazzem Begg on Is Torture Ever Justified?
The basis of Moazzem’s talk is that it is bizarre that this question (the title) needs to be addressed in countries like the USA and the UK in the 21st Century;  the fact that lawyers are even having to discuss it proves how far we’ve shifted from the principles of a just society.

Francesca Cerletti on The Role of Grass Roots Peace Builders in Achieving Peace.
Francesca described how in every conflict there are people working for peace. She explored who they were, what they did and at what level they worked at as well as examining their role in achieving peace.

Craig Murray on Morality and a ‘war on terror’.
Craig developed this theme through his experience as the British ex-ambassador to Uzbekistan and included much fascinating material on extraordinary rendition and corruption in political matters.

Workshops on all these topics followed in the afternoon after lunch with musical accompaniment by Martin Jeremiah. An open microphone session followed thanks and summing up by Caroline O’Reilly – the Peace Party Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Brighton Kemp Town

DEMONSTRATE ON SATURDAY 19th MARCH

 John Morris today invited all Peace Party supporters to join the Stop the War/CND/Muslim Association of Britain demonstration in London on 19th March. It starts at 1pm in Hyde Park and is asking for the Government to withdraw troops from Iraq. Daily we see clearly that the invasion and war has not produced peace and has not brought love, compassion and respect for human life to that country. Between 10 and 20 thousand civilians have died unnecessarily whilst tens of thousands more have been made refugees in their own land. The Iraqi people want the occupation to cease: troops must leave now. Only the Iraqi people themselves can rebuild their country now. The United Nations is there to help if it is called on by the Iraqi people.  Pacifists know that all war is wrong. They Never support any war. Bring home the troops!

GENERAL ELECTION 'ROADSHOWS' 

Peace Party campaigners for non-violence, justice and the environment will be out on the streets of Brighton Kemptown and Guildford on Saturdays and weekdays prior to the General Election with their 'Road Show' Help Caroline and John challenge the electorate to vote for pacifism, for love, compassion and respect for all human life.