View From The House - 27th February 2003

Reprinted From The Lichfield Mercury

Iraq
Two weekends ago, over a million walked the streets of London to protest against war in Iraq. Similar demonstrations took place in other British cities and across the world. One lady I know, marched in Birmingham carrying a banner: “Birmingham Organic Gardeners Against the War”. A very clear message there then for Tony Blair.

Like many, I believe that we should avoid war if we possibly can. But this situation hasn’t arisen overnight. When the last lot of United Nations Weapons Inspectors left Iraq in the 90s, they were unable to account for 3,000 tonnes of nerve gas precursor chemicals, 360 tonnes of Chemical Weapons agent, and the growth media used for the production of germ warfare. In addition, Iraq had acquired nuclear detonators and has since been trying to purchase fissionable materials. None of these materials have yet been found. The Iraqis have acquired specialists from the former soviet republics to help them extend the range and accuracy of their ballistic missiles - and more than just a few kilometres. But most worryingly, Iraq has a consistent and frightening track record of attacking other countries. Ten years ago Saddam invaded Kuwait. Twenty years ago he attacked Iran. Over the years his regime has gassed and mutilated millions of his own people. And when his son in law and other relatives defected, we learned of other atrocities as well as his weapons building programme. If Saddam used his enhanced weaponry to capture oil fields in the middle east, thousands would be killed and the economic effects on this country would be catastrophic with millions made unemployed. Worse still, if he uses his enhanced weapons to attack Israel - as he did in the Gulf War with his Scud missiles - there could be a nuclear war.

I don’t think that Tony Blair or even George Bush are keen on a war. Certainly, I am not. But if Saddam keeps playing games with us, we will have no option. Well intentioned and, no doubt, patriotic British people in the 1930s argued that despite Germany being in breach of League of Nations mandates, we should not intervene militarily. France and Britain could have done so. Germany was weak. It would have saved the lives of 24 million Russians, 6 million Jews and countless millions more in the conflagration that was to follow. History now demonstrates that our early intervention would have been right. We don’t have the benefit of hindsight now, but I fear that what we may have to do over the coming months will be right too. In the meantime, let us pray that Saddam sees sense as the military build-up continues. He can skip the country or agree to expose his full weaponry to the UN Inspectors. War is still avoidable. But time is fast running out.

The Garrick Theatre
Meanwhile, life goes on! I believe our area is unique. For many years I worked in a large seaside city (not selling ice creams, but based at a company which set up radio stations around the world). Yet despite Lichfield being only a quarter of the size, it seems to have more clubs and societies with active participants than anywhere else I have known. Our Lichfield university campus has active participants of all ages and our fantastic new Art School just recently built on campus has members from 16 way into their 70s and perhaps beyond. That’s how it should be. So Lichfield deserves a premier Arts venue too. The Garrick promises to be just that.

Our superstar new Artistic Director, Paul Everitt, is full of bright ideas. And the Garrick should have the practical means to translate them into life. For the first time in many years, Lichfield will have a theatre with a full height fly tower which will enable professional productions to perform in the City. But equally importantly, local productions from the Operatic Society, the Lichfield Players, and others will have a first rate and comfortable venue in which to perform. Cllr David Smith, the Leader of Lichfield District Council, has assured me on numerous occasions that the Garrick is for everyone and its hire will be priced accordingly. But the Garrick has two ‘spaces’ - as the luvvies call it. Not just the theatre but also a ‘studio’ which will enable smaller and experimental productions to be performed. All this is due to open by July. Lichfield promises to be a powerhouse in the midlands arts scene.