Voices against war (From Free Press Series)

Voices against war

A LOCAL ex-RAF serviceman has met with MPs in London to discuss his concerns about the Iraq war.

Jonathan Williams, of Talywain, is a member of Military Families Against the War in Iraq, and joined 150 other members from all over the country to take part in a discussion with MPs at the House of Commons last Wednesday.

The purpose of the debate was to question politicians opposed to the war about what action is being taken to determine the end Britain's involvement in the fighting.

Mr Williams said: "We went to London to highlight the on-going conflict in Iraq, British servicemen are still paying with their lives out there. Most of the members have lost loved ones and feelings are raw."

Among the MPs taking part in the discussion were Tony Benn, Clare Short, George Galloway and Martin Bell.

Mr Williams was one of six speakers to address the meeting. "I spoke of my concern at the assimilation of the British Armed Forces into the American Armed Forces, with no apparent parliamentary scrutiny or debate.

"We are now, for all intents and purposes part of the American forces and Clare Short agreed vociferously," he said.

The 42-year-old left the RAF six years ago and is currently in the second year of studying for an archaeology degree at the University of Wales Newport.

Mr Williams spent most of his 12-year career in the RAF working in a unit that supported the army serving in Northern Ireland, Bosnia and the Middle East.

He said it is his experiences of war, which has lead to his strong feelings against the UK's involvement in Iraq.

"I asked myself if I was still in the RAF would I have gone to war because of the threat of weapons of mass destruction? And yes I would have gone happily. But having found out that there are no weapons I would have felt cheated.

"I have seen with my own eyes what war does to people. Going to war is the last option, not for commercial gain.

"This is above politics, it's not about what's right or left, it's about what's wrong or right," he said. "We hope the MPs will take our concerns on board when they consider their campaign to bring Tony Blair to task about the war."

Following the meeting at the House of Commons the group laid a wreath at the cenotaph, before going to Downing Street where they asked if the Prime Minister would speak to people who have lost their family members during the conflict. They were told Mr Blair was unavailable.