Press Release

May 2005 – The Khaki Election

Tony Blair tried every trick in the book to keep the Iraq war out of the election.

In the event the war dominated the campaign in the final weeks. Anti-war candidates throughout the country received excellent votes.

In East Kilbride Rose Gentle received over 1500 votes and in Sedgefield more than 4000 voted for Reg Keys. Reg’s speech at the count was one of the highlights of the election – taking Blair to task for the death of his son, the other soldiers and all those who died in the Iraq war.

The question of the war was the central reason given by political commentators for the decline in the labour vote and the reduction of its majority.

Throughout the country candidates from the Green party, the Respect Coalition and anti-war labour candidates received good votes. In Bethnal Green and Bow, Stop the War Vice President, George Galloway overturned a massive majority to remove Oona King - a strong supporter of the war. A historic moment.

In Wales, Plaid MP Adam Price who has been a strong supporter of the anti-war movement tripled his majority.

Elsewhere Lindsey German Stop the War convenor came second with 19.5% in West Ham and Salma Yacoob, chair of Birmingham Stop the War Coalition came in second in Birmingham Sparkbrook and Small Heath with an amazing 27.5% of the vote.

Stop the War sends its congratulations to George, Adam, and all who stood on a principled opposition to the war and did so well.

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