Libyan Attack – The Tory Government lose the Sunday trading vote in the Commons and authorise USAF attacks today on Libya from British bases contrary to UN procedures, International Law and European allies understandings and 160 demonstrators were arrested in Whitehall so my tenant, USA Staff Sergeant, Ronald King, already behind with his rent was given immediate notice to quit 39 Gordon Road before my trip to Cambridge today to buy a new ‘de-luxe’ push chair for an ungrateful Della
Awake to my morning tea and from the strains of the radio/alarm clock I heard of two remarkable events that took place last night. First, the Tory government were roundly defeated in the Commons over the Sunday Trading Bill and, against most expectations, lost the vote by 14 and have quickly abandoned the Bill. This is a most humiliating defeat for the government, with a Commons majority of 140 and a three-line whip in place. There will now be a backlash, with shops prosecuted for being open in anticipation of a change, which will not now occur. 68 Tories voted against the government and joined united opposition parties to secure the defeat. Even more startling was the overnight attack by America on 5 targets in Libya. The planes from the US aircraft carriers were joined by jets, launched and refueled by US bases in Britain. This latter fact has made the UK second only in the firing line to the US for terrorist targets of the future. France and Spain both refused overflying rights to the attack force, but Thatcher authorised and approved of the US action.
It seems that Foreign Secretary, Geoffrey Howe, knew of the plans, but did not reveal them to his EEC counterparts during Monday’s meeting of the EEC Foreign Ministers. Only Canada and Israel have supported the action and all other nations have condemned them. Libyan leader Gaddafi’s family were allegedly injured, with an adopted baby daughter killed and two youngest sons, aged 4 & 6 critically injured. Some bombs missed and hit civilian areas. The 18 F111Fs were loaded with weapons at Lakenheath and also 4 F111As from Upper Heyford under cover of planned military exercises and 17 KC-10 and 13 KC-135 fuel tanker aircraft were flown in and used from bases at Mildenhall and Fairford. One of the Lakenheath F111s was shot down and its crew of 2 lost and another had fuel trouble and had to land in Spain. The bombs in Tripoli killed 100+ civilians and also damaged diplomatic buildings, including the French Embassy. There are now increased security measures for US and UK bases overseas and there are fears for attacks on Britain by terrorists, with the 30,000 US personnel in the UK as the most significant target. This action will surely be counterproductive and it has already united the Arab world behind Libya and given them more significance than they otherwise had. It is very dubious from the standpoint of international law and United Nations procedures were not followed. Far from being ‘self-defence,’ it is seen as being retaliation. After all this news, down to breakfast of boiled egg after another nice use of our en-suite. Then some time in my office writing a £800 cheque for my parent’s heating system, so that I could post it today, as they have been worried enough to phone and chase me. Then, with USA Staff Sergeant, Ronald King, already behind with the rent again and after my pondering over whether to regain possession and sell the house in Gordon Road, today’s news from Libya was enough to make my mind up. I could not continue to help the US forces after the first attack raid launched by the planes from British soil since the Second World War. They may have had Thatcher’s approval for this Israeli-style reprisal, but not mine. So I typed up his notice to vacate and I will have the house back within 3 months. By 9.00am, ready to leave for our day trip to Cambridge, with Daniel joining me and Di. The rain was pouring down again today and Della hated the confinement of the covers on her push chair. Coffee as usual at Eden Lilley’s and, to our mutual surprise, found Di’s parents in the restaurant. Then to Robert Sayle to buy a new deluxe push chair, which we did, but only after Della had thrown half a dozen tantrums. Daniel had spotted a tool box I needed in the Argos catalogue and we got it from their shop in Cambridge. A rendezvous with Daniel in the Lion Yard and then lunch on the way home at the new Happy Eater, as Della slept in the car. To my office to update my financial records and I waited in vain for Mr King to come and pay his rent. After tea, I did some more security wiring on the garages and then he came and heard my news with disappointment, but accepted the position, as he had to. In at dark for more news of today’s developments and to hear that tonight 160 demonstrators were arrested in Whitehall at Thatcher’s support of the US. Ironically, as Reagan is a US hero, Thatcher is fighting again after the double blow today to her popularity. Today’s showers will be followed by a chilly night and more heavier showers and rain tomorrow.