British forces should begin a “staged withdrawal” from Iraq in May, with the last forces leaving by the end of October, the Liberal Democrats say. Leader Sir Menzies Campbell said ministers should now spend three months consulting coalition and regional allies over precise details.
He is the first main UK party leader to suggest a definite withdrawal date.
So say the BBC.
UPDATE: Crumbs. If there’s any justice you’ll be seeing the leader’s second question at PMQs on the news tonight – if he was acting at being outraged, that was bloody good acting.
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14 Comments
I’m very encouraged by this new stance – just when I thought we’d said all there was to say on Iraq…
Yes, this unequivocal stance by Ming Campbell is welcome news. Also, his attack on Tony Blair for not opening today’s Commons debate on Iraq.
The BBC quote Ming as writing to Blair saying “the British people are entitled to hear your analysis and strategy for withdrawal. I consider that on an issue of such gravity the public are entitled to hear the party leaders.”
Ming was bloody good at PMQ’s.
Colin
Colin Ross
Wolverhampton
http://www.colin-ross.org.uk
Excellent, excellent.
This policy, is, after all, what the vast majority of the Iraqi population have wanted for some time.
Good to see Ming giving them a good kicking!
Ming is loads better when he loosens the handbrake and lets his liberal passion to the surface a bit. He was easily the most impressive performer on the leadership hustings for example (even though I didn’t vote for him)
Gordon,
Would that be the same millions of Iraqis who are safe and sound, walking the streets in security with a booming economy because of the wonderfully judged Labour and Conservative policy to invade Iraq? Pah.
Ah yes, wishing millions of people would die to prove a political point. Full of moral bravery there I think Gordon.
Is GG feigning naivety? Does he really think that Bush went to war in Iraq out of concern for Iraqis? Or is he just kidding us?
Lest anyone forget it, Bush went to war, not out of concern for human rights, not out of fear of weapons of mass destruction he knew didn’t exist, not even to strengthen Israel; he went to war to enable the US energy industry to help itself to Iraq’s oil.
Does anyone know where I can watch Ming’s PMQs performance online?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/parliament
Ed: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/bbc_parliament/default.stm
I caught it on This Week or whatever the Thursday night politics show is called and it was probably the best performance I’ve seen him give since the leadership hustings.
And then heard this – “The Lib Dems have always been sound on Iraq”, Diane Abbott 🙂
Also http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ly8oYWyL51o