UNA Warwick & District: General election question time on international issues

Warwick District UN Association has organised a general election question time on international issues to be debated by the prospective Parliamentary candidates in the Warwick & Leamington Spa constituency.

An invitation has gone out to all the parliamentary candidates and I am pleased to announce that the response has been excellent.

The Panel, therefore, will consist of the following candidates:

• Chris White MP (Conservative)
• Lynnette Kelly (Labour)
• Alan Beddow (Liberal Democrat)
• Alastair MacBrayne (UKIP)
• Green Party candidate selection to be made by 21st February 2015

Questions will based upon the UNA-UK foreign policy manifesto ‘A global force for good’.

UN Association - UK believes that policy-makers, the media and grassroots groups like ours have a duty to stimulate support for action at the global level. We must make the case that effective international cooperation, with all its compromises, is in the interest of the people in the UK, and that we all have a stake in building a safer, fairer and more sustainable world.

UNA-UK's foreign policy manifesto contains 10 recommendations for UK Government action that we believe, with full public support, represent an investment in Britain’s future and in a safer, fairer and more sustainable world. This is not a wishlist requiring huge amounts of expenditure; these are targeted ideas for how the UK can use its strengths – leadership, a global network, expertise and diplomacy – to deliver wide-ranging national and international benefits.

‘A global force for good’ - manifesto proposals:

1. A comprehensive strategy to prevent mass atrocities
2. More intensive engagement to strengthen UN peacekeeping
3. A clear pathway to eradicate nuclear weapons
4. Robust policies to control arms, drones and 'killer robots’
5. Leadership to protect human rights internationally
6. A strong commitment to safeguard human rights at home
7. A bold plan to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment
8. Concerted action to promote progressive new development goals
9. A vigorous drive to secure the climate deal we need
10. Support to enhance the UN’s effectiveness by improving its leadership selection