The Iraq Situation

Written by Vincent Cable MP and published in Informer on Fri 7th Feb 2003

I make no apology for writing about Iraq yet again. Judging from my mail bag from the last few months, this is an issue of huge importance to a large number of my constituents.

Indeed, I've only received one or two letters supporting military action.

No one who has written to me would regard Saddam Hussein as anything other than an evil and treacherous tyrant.

None of the anti-war letters written have been of the knee-jerk, anti-American vein, with which Blair seeks to taunt any opposition to hawkish support for war.

Rather, they have been thoughtful, well argued, but all deeply frustrated by the idea that our leaders are prepared to ignore public opinion.

Of course, Blair's primary duty as Prime Minister is to protect Britain, a role -in an increasingly dangerous world- in which there is no room for compromise, in the slavish pursuit of popularity.

But, as Gulf War 2's hype builds please don't forget that fifteen million innocent civilians will lose the food aid upon which they depend the moment war starts.

So, if it is essential our security that "our boys" pound Iraq with bombs hundreds of thousands of refugees are forced to flee through some of the most heavily mined areas on earth to shelter in overcrowded camps where disease and hunger will be rife.

Blair better have sound, persuasive reasons. Given his refusal to have proper debate in Parliament then I am very glad that I am not alone in doubting that he does so.