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Clare Short's Armed Forces (Parliamentary Approval for Participation in Armed Conflict) Bill had its Second Reading in October 2005. Charter 88 succeeded in getting 91 MPs in Parliament to support Clare Short's Bill requiring Parliamentary approval for the use of armed forces, just 12 MPs voted against the Bill. Although this was a very high number of MPs in the House for a Friday it was 9 short of the number required to 'close' the debate, so Geoff Hoon MP, speaking for the government was able to talk the Bill out.
Obviously, we're all really disappointed by this result, especially to have come so close, but the campaign continues.
The Bill will return to the House on 10th March 2006 , so far we have 225 MPs signed up to the campaign through the Early Day Motion and we hope to have over 300 MPs not only on board, but fully committed by then. In order to achieve this we're going to need your help.
We would like you to do the following:
1) Write to your MP (at House of Commons. London, SW1A 0AA) asking him/her to sign Early Day Motion No 85 in support of the Armed Forces (Parliamentary Approval for the use of Armed Forces) Bill; and
2) If your MP has already signed the EDM write asking him/her to continue to support this measures and do all s/he can to help the campaign.
If you want to organise visits to your MPs surgeries, do some work with your local media, or to get involved with your local Charter88 group then please contact james@charter88.org.uk
But most importantly, please do let us know how things are going in your area and let us have copies of any replies that you receive from your MP. Thank you!
Website www.charter88.org.uk/
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