The Situation in Iraq - published in the Echo on 20 January 2003

I do not want Britain to go to war. Nor does anyone I know. But sometimes the choice between peace and war is not so easy. Sometimes we have to choose the lesser of two evils.

That could be the choice we will be faced with over Iraq. On the other hand there is still a clear path forward, which will result in peace. Saddam Hussein could, even now, adhere to United Nations Resolution 1441 and get rid of his country's weapons of mass destruction. The UN resolution, to which ALL the Security Council members signed up is not about 'regime change.' It is true that Saddam Hussein rules over one of the most despotic regimes in the world today. He has attacked his own people, and most of his neighbours. Daily life in Iraq is very difficult. Basic essentials are almost non-existent for ordinary people. Dissent is usually fatal. But that is not what the UN resolution is about. It is simply about disarmament.

Britain had a substantial hand in the drafting of the resolution. I think our Prime Minister, Tony Blair, played an important role in ensuring that the US also went down the United Nations route. The fact that the resolution was put and agreed, and that weapons inspectors are now in Iraq is at least in part down to the hard work of the UK in making it happen. In order to make it more than an idle piece of hand-wringing, it is necessary for Saddam to believe that the resolution WILL be enforced if Iraq does not comply. He is a master of brinkmanship. In the past he has prevaricated and procrastinated to wriggle out of his international obligations. So the international community has to show it is serious. That, at the moment is what the movement of troops is about.

But with all threats, they are only credible if they could, in principle be carried out. And this is where the next difficult phase arises. What if Saddam does not comply with the UN resolution?

Under these circumstances, I believe that there MUST be a further debate and a resolution passed by the UN. The UK, having come all this way by the UN route must stick with it now. For any country, such as the United States, to declare regardless of the UN, that it was 'invading' Iraq would fly in the face of all the effort put in by the international community to work together. It would also fuel those who - mistakenly in my view - believe that the dispute is a Christian/Muslim conflict.

I still believe that a peaceful outcome, brokered by the United Nations, remains possible. As your MP, I will be pressing for that to happen.

What do you think about this - email me and let me know