RedFruit

Via the useful website writetothem.com, I recently sent the following letter to my my  MP:  Mr Douglas Naysmith.  For a while I have been extremely concerned about the way the British and Dutch governments have been treating Iceland.  I finally decided to voice my opinion.

Dear Doug Naysmith,

I am writing to express my concern and dismay about the way the British government is treating the nation of Iceland as a result of the IceSave problems.

First of all, it seems outrageous to me that anti-terrorist legislation was ever used as a tool against the Icelandic people. Not only does this set an extremely dangerous precedent – can Mr Brown simply declare anyone a terrorist? – but it’s also a clearly inappropriate use of such laws. It may well have also accelerated the collapse of the Icelandic banks.

I am also led to believe that, before the current economic crisis and IceSave’s part in it, the British government were warned about the potential problems with a bank backed by such a small economy. Obviously, the Icelandic government and business community hold a significant responsibility themselves. However, I cannot see that this is in anyway justification for bullying them.

Despite the fact that the losses suffered were the result of the actions of a few individuals; the Icelandic government has undertaken to repay the money lost by the British and Dutch governments. They are, however, looking to add conditions that will protect them and their economy from being enslaved to a debt they can never repay. Given that the Icelandic taxpayers are undertaking a debt which is in no way their responsibility; these measures do not seem unreasonable. However the British government seems intent on continuing to bully the Icelandic nation. In some ways it seems little better than the schoolyard bully trying to steal the smaller child’s lunch money. In fact – it’s more like making sure that child is never allowed to have any lunch money again!

Naturally I am as dismayed by the stance that the Dutch government has taken, but I have no way of making my feelings known to them.

I wonder if you would undertake to ask in parliament why such a position has been taken by our government and why our Prime Minister seems so intent on bullying a small nation.

Yours sincerely,

Paul Hunnisett

I don’t have much expectation of a favourable response – but at least I wrote to my MP about something I feel strongly about!