| IRAQ - 26 September 2002 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.
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