MP Calls for Commons Debate on Iraq Withdrawal

Neil Gerrard, Labour MP for Walthamstow, is among the MPs calling for a debate on an exit strategy from Iraq. An amendment has been tabled to the motion on the Queens Speech calling for a review of current policy and an examination of this by the House of Commons.

“It is clear that there needs to be a serious discussion on future strategy in Iraq” said Mr Gerrard. “The line of ‘staying until the job is done’ is looking less and less feasible. The occupying forces are part of the problem not part of the solution. There are suggestions that British forces might withdraw from Basra early next year, but that in itself is not an exit strategy.”

“I remain convinced that the original decision to go to war in Iraq was wrong and voted against it. The House of Commons did debate that decision in March 2003, even though I believe the wrong conclusion was reached. But if it was possible for MPs to debate whether we should go to war, they should not be denied the opportunity to debate how and when British forces are withdrawn.”

November 2006

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