Government must listen to people on Iraq

12.00.00am GMT Mon 13th Jan 2003

Woodspring's Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman Mike Bell says that the Government must listen to the people's concerns over possible military action against Iraq.

"Many people locally have told me how concerned they are at the prospect of Britain waging war against Iraq. Some local families have already been affected as their loved ones are deployed, along with growing numbers of British forces, to the Gulf region.

"There seems to be a strong feeling in the country that if there is to be action against Saddam Hussein, Britain should only be involved if that action is backed by the UN.

"There is a particular worry about what will happen if the United Nations Weapons Inspectorate do not come forward with concrete evidence of weapons of mass destruction, but the United States nonetheless decide to go ahead with military conflict against Iraq.

"When Charles Kennedy pressed the Prime Minister on this in the House of Commons last week, Tony Blair did not make it clear that UN agreement to any action is crucial. It's time he did so. British pressure may be the best chance we have of making sure that the USA does not act against the wishes of the rest of the world."