What Labour MP Adrian Vassallo did was to take a very courageous stand indeed. However I think that he is not a lone voice crying in the wilderness. For example, the writing on the US 2010 election wall becomes clearer by the day. Americans are putting principles above politics. Voters are putting policy before party. They are engaging more and more in their civic responsibility to get involved and make a difference. They are advocating for change that will make the traditional American values stronger, not banished as a relic of the past.
Americans from Massachusetts to California voted in early June in primary elections. While every election is unique, one theme is clearly unifying voters across this country. If it could be encapsulated in one sentence it would be: "We've had enough of Washington's kind of change. Now we want to make our own."
Rarely, if ever, have the American people been so empowered and emboldened to hold their leaders accountable. All across the States, grassroots organisations are working to make their voices heard.
Their efforts are paying off. Incumbents in both parties have been defeated by challenger candidates in places like Pennsylvania and Utah. And even non-incumbent "establishment, party-backed" candidates have been defeated by movement candidates in places like Florida, Kentucky and Nevada.
Even as the evidence of election after election shows that Americans are rejecting the social change agenda in Washington, entrenched leaders still seem set on pursuing that course. While Americans can - and, based on these primary results, probably will - hold Washington accountable, the fact is that there is still a long way to the November elections. We can consider that
• On government spending: The US Treasury reports that the Obama administration is now borrowing $4.9 billion every day; almost three times the daily average of $1.7 billion under the previous Bush administration. Estimates show that a taxpayer's share of the national debt is over $118,000. How much more will future generations (today's children and grandchildren) owe if this path is pursued? Do not any European and local echoing parallels reach our ears?
• On social policy: The US Senate is still considering a vote to repeal the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy, which has allowed our military to remain focused on protecting the United States instead of being used as a vehicle of social change. Here too at European and local levels the spate of Social Affairs Committee hearings and spewing of such verbose utterances do shock in important aspects.
• Reshaping the courts: Soon the US Senate will commence hearings on Elena Kagan for the Supreme Court vacancy. Ms Kagan has no judicial experience and has spent her entire career in liberal academia and politics. While most of the judiciary appointments this side of the Atlantic are duly qualified, does not one detect now and again eyebrow-raising sentences?
In a way certain policies similar to the above are being rammed down society's throat at European and local level. At issue are the foundation values we want our islands and continent to retain.
What has happened in the recent elections in the US, to a degree also took place in some European countries and might in a few years' time take hold elsewhere. Because contrary to what a few commentators say, the people who swing the vote in the US, Europe, Australia or here do so because they vote for the candidate or candidates they trust, irrespective of the party list they are on.
We have seen the great defeat suffered by the Christian Democrats in Holland. In this and other countries the value vacuum created by the Christian centre parties that surrendered to the progressive agenda and allowed irregularities to flourish is being filled by independent middle-of-the-road, upright candidates and extreme far-right parties who promise to settle some issues but create other problems for people holding prudent positions.
As regards Iran, though from what the media is currently sending out one would get the impression that only demons inhabit that country which was the cradle of an ancient civilisation, there are many Iranians who hold moderate and democratic values, both those who support the monarchy in exile as well as those who joined in the establishment of the new Republic, and who are now worse off than under the Shah, who however can only make their mark by demonstrating for liberty.