It's a fortnight since I wrote a Letter to my MP and the Hon Phil Goff has so far failed to reply. I'm sure if I had written about gangs, or tax cuts or some other issue the media have decided are important in the recently announced election his staff would have sent me a stock reply. But, write about Burma and (even though he was not so very long ago our foreign minister) Mr Goff is lost for words, and so are his staff :(

This is sad, not only for what it says about the place of Burma on the NZ political agenda, but also because it underlines the way in which the NZ Labour Party has lost its heart. The NZ Labour Party today is so busy jostling for power, and after so many years of power one suspects Lord Acton's dictum may have some applicability, that they have no time to care about justice overseas, and little to care about making a decent society in New Zealand.

So, I've written to him again (this time using a simple e-card that you could use too if you are willing to spend 20 seconds to protest at the inactivity or your government in the face of brutality):

Phil,

I wrote to you a fortnight ago, but have had not even a token reply. I fear that means you are too busy worrying about the election.

You should know that I am one voter who cares more about justice than vote-winning tricks. In previous General Elections I have always hoped, prayed, and voted for a Labour government. But since it seems on the issue of Burma and on so many others the Labour Party has lost its vision for a decent society in New Zealsand and for justice and peace internationally this time I fear I may have to vote for change.

I am deeply sad to be deprived of the opportunity to vote for these ideals.

Yours faithfully,

Tim Bulkeley

I plan to continue to write, and to continue to post the letters here, until I get a reply to comment on...