I WENT to the Peace March in London and to my mind there were more than 1.5 million people. I also went to Audley Community and Sports Centre where the US Assistant Secretary of State was to hold his surgery. A group of local people had arranged a protest against the war and to try and speak to their representative in the parliament.

When I was first informed of the protest taking place I had indicated that Mr Straw would not turn up at the venue. Not surprisingly Mr. Straw did not appear.

There were a number of police officers who were very good humoured. When asked why Mr Straw had not appeared the police informed us that there was a bomb alert.

Mr Straw had to be kept away due to a security alert but this did not seem at all credible to me.

The war is inevitable.

The Caspian Sea is a cold sea and hence for part of the year it is difficult for ships to navigate due to sea ice. The gas and oil has to be transported to warm water ports and the nearest are in the Persian Gulf.

The allies have taken over Afghanistan and Pakistan. Iraq is gone bar the shouting. Next will be Iran. They will then have the whole of the corridor in their control to rape and exploit as they see fit.

Blair and Straw are trying to convince an increasingly cynical public that Iraq is flouting UN Resolution 1441. On the other hand Israel is currently flouting 29 UN Resolutions. Yet, according to Mr Straw, the rest of the world is to treat Israel "with greater public sympathy for Israel's position in its conflict with the Palestinians" (www.guardian.co.uk)

Not only that Mr Straw has refused to consider banning arms export to Israel despite the fact that British materiel has been used to crush the Palestinian bid for freedom.

In conclusion I would like to suggest that the people of Blackburn vote with their feet and go to Mr Straw's surgery and demand that he pulls the country from the brink. That he does not use cluster bombs to kill the innocent children of Iraq for the sake of oil. If he does not listen then politely remind him that he is their representative.

Inform him also that they will not be able vote for his party in any future elections. Believe me that is the only language he will understand.

Arif Waghat

Buncer Lane,

Blackburn