David Icke has thrown his hat into the ring for the Haltemprice and Howden by Election to be staged on July 10^th, and I for one will be supporting him.

It is important to have a credible spokesperson for the anti 42 days supporters, and Icke is a good debater who, given the chance could expose Davis’ pathetic arguments.

David Davis wants to make this about Civil Liberties. Fine, but I’m not going to take any notice of a bloke who actively supported 28 days without charge, was a Minister in a Government that tried to roll back trial by jury, is in hoc to Big Business and wants to allow all sorts of dodgy stuff like phone tap evidence to be admissible in Court which he admitted to on Question Time last week.

And that’s not including his homophobic voting record plus his enthusiasm for Capital Punishment.

Icke has a long record of standing up to the Establishment and exposing how Capitalism is incompatible with personal freedom

Mention David Icke to anyone over 30 odd and they will probably say “nutter”, and mention the classic Wogan Show where the former Coventry City keeper, and Grandstand anchor claimed to be the Son of the Godhead, tried to explain his unique view on the world, and encouraged everyone to wear turquoise shell suits.

Surprisingly enough he was relieved of his BBC job and after a tabloid mauling of epic (and quite vindictive) proportions, and was rarely seen or heard of again except for the odd “David Icke is Bonkers” story if it was a slow news day.

I viewed his antics as a rather pathetic cry for help from someone who was obviously a bit unhinged, but I thought his treatment at the hands of the Sun in particular was just disgusting, making a joke out of mental health issues for cheap laughs and to sell papers.

They did the same again when Frank Bruno was sectioned for his own and his family’s safety; “Bonkers Bruno” being the ever so sensitive banner for that day.

However, in 1998 or so Jon Ronson did a big feature piece on Icke for the Guardian following him on a speaking tour of Canada and doing extensive interviews with the guy and his rather oddball entourage.

What came across was far from the image of boggled eyed mentalist crank of tabloid fame, and instead we found Icke as a concerned and erudite commentator on World Affairs.

Yes, he has some pretty bizarre beliefs, but then again Dubya and Mr. Tony invaded Iraq because God told them to, and Blair said on Parkinson thta he would answer to God for his actions, rather than say, the electorate or the Labour Party.

Their belief in God has as much evidence behind it as David’s thoughts about the so called Illuminatae being descended from giant lizards when you bring it down to basics.

What interests me about Icke is his commentary on how Democracy is used as a cover for Global Capitalism’s control of the media and politics, we are kept in the dark over so many things, from the environment, medical progress through to basic Human Rights and the surveillance of the Orwellian 1984 society.

His website www.davidicke.com , provided you take it with a shovel of salt is lively and informative, especially the medical stuff which backs up my theories about the corrupt nature of the Pharmaceutical Industry, and the material on the environment is insightful.

David Icke explains how vested interests in the Capitalist World do everything to maintain the Status Quo, and that any “conspiracy” is based on ownership of Capital rather than religious/ethnic affiliation.

Icke recently developed his ideas about Big Brother one a Five documentary when he was moved on by the Police attempting to film veteran Peacenik Brian Haw in Parliament Square, and he did a very funny spoof as a political reporter talking to the studio.

“I have just been over there in Parliament, and I haven’t a bleedin’ clue what’s going on Huw, but this is what we’ve been told to tell everyone…”

It was a fair and balanced effort, which left me respecting Icke’s contributions to Political debate.

However, it is easy to sit there and slag the system off, calling for Revolution. Trouble is, as long as the Government gets the economy right, and is seeing to be looking after the Public Services well; most people don’t give a stuff. 

There are plenty of us in the Party who have some similar views to David Icke, and constructive debate in an atmosphere of trying to move things on has to be the way forward.

 That is why on this issue of Civil Liberties I will be voting and campaigning for David Icke in the by Election.