back to iraq and the middle east

Parliament was recalled on 24 September 2002 and and the Government published its Dossier "Iraq's Weapons of Mass Destruction, The Assessment of the British Government" (link above).  Even if the Dossier is absolutely accurate - and much of it is not verified - what is clear is that Saddam Hussein's military capability in the past, particularly prior to the Gulf War, was superior to his capability today.   Labour Against the War have produced a Counter Dossier, which is also posted above. 

I attended the debate but unfortunately was not called to speak or able to intervene. However, I was impressed by the overwhelming number of speakers, from all parties, who were concerned about the adverse consequences of a pre-emptive military strike on Iraq. Tony Blair has said that Parliament will be "consulted" but last Tuesday we were denied a vote on a specific motion and we were only able to vote on a procedural motion (whether to adjourn the House). I considered this to be far from satisfactory and was left with no alternative but to vote against the adjournment in order to register my displeasure at the way Parliament was being treated.

You may since have heard that in evidence to the Commons Foreign Affairs committee on 25 September, Jack Straw, conceded that there would have to be a substantive motion on the policy if military action becomes certain - unlike the merely symbolic adjournment vote. However, there is little point in such a vote if it is offered to MPs when military action is already a fait accompli. I also suspect that this "concession" was the result of the mood of the debate on 24th September, which was against war. The Government could not risk another "consultation" with that result and perhaps feels that, in the event of a decision to go to war, it could gather enough votes in support, even if there was little backing from speakers in the chamber. We have to try to ensure that MPs do not just follow the Government line but take responsibility for their own votes!

I have received many communications from constituents opposing military action against Iraq and I encourage any constituents with views on this issue to contact me with them (click here to check if you are a constituent).   I will then pass your concerns on to Mike O'Brien, the Minister responsible at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, so that the Government is aware of the strength of feeling that exists on this issue. 

I have signed Early Day Motion 927 Military Action Against Iraq.