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Labour MPs threaten to demand Iraq probe probe inquiry vote
Nicholas Cecil, Chief Political Correspondent24 Mar 2009
REBEL Labour MPs are threatening to back a Tory move tomorrow demanding an inquiry into the Iraq war.
Several Labour backbenchers, who previously refused to join Opposition parties in calling for an immediate investigation into the conflict, are now set to do so.
One said: "I did not vote for it last time but I will this time."
The scale of the revolt was not clear this morning. However, a number of backbenchers are in a rebellious mood as they are unhappy about the Government's handling of the recession and the new sleaze allegations against ministers.
The Government survived an attempt by David Cameron last spring to force an immediate independent inquiry into the decision to go to war in Iraq.
Twelve Labour rebels voted with the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats but the Government defeated the move by 299 to 271.
A government amendment, accepting an inquiry would be "appropriate" after "important" operations in Iraq were completed, was passed by 299 to 259.
A vote tomorrow is expected to be closer as large-scale withdrawal of British troops is due to start shortly. Ministers have signalled that most of the 4,100 British troops in Iraq will leave the country by the summer.
The Conservatives stressed that there is now no "reasonable impediment" to Gordon Brown announcing an inquiry.
The motion to be debated tomorrow states that "there remains no reasonable impediment to announcing an Iraq Inquiry" following the Prime Minister's announcement at the end of last year that a rapid withdrawal of troops would take place from 31May.
Reader views (4)
Perhaps those Liebore MPs know that there is NO chance of them returning to the House of Conmen after the next election, so any threats from the Whips has next to no power. It could also be an opportunity for them to at last do something worthwhile, something they could at least brag about when they become unemployed and quite possibly unemployable. And, it may be their last chance of getting back at the Liebore leadership that has led them into the political wilderness to come.
- Ralph, GB, 24/03/2009 18:14
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Billy Liar knew that an inquiry into his illegal war in Iraq would come, sooner or later. That is why his first action in office was to alter the laws on treason. He knew that he would one day be held to account, and needed to make sure that the penalties were seriously reduced and lawful powers significantly curtailed.
- Keith Lonsdale, Doncaster, 24/03/2009 16:28
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After the recent revelations about the Blair Government's complicity in the "dodgy dossier" and non-existent WMDs, the Brown Government is desperate to hide the truth about British involvement in the Middle East wars.
Its frantic opposition to FoI access of the Gateway Reviews into ID Cards and NIR, or its determination in bulldozing through the 42-days-detention bill, will be nothing compared to its alarm at having an independent inquiry into the Iraq War. It cannot risk defeat in this vote. At all costs it will prevent its MPs from supporting this bill.
- Josephine, Midlands, UK, 24/03/2009 15:16
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New Labour MPs' rebellions usually wither after the Government Whips have bullied, blackmailed or bribed enough of the potential dissenters into backing off.
It will be interesting to see how many of them put principles and public interest before career, greed or an easy life.
- S. Evans, Derby, England, 24/03/2009 14:34
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