On the brink of war

Written by Duncan Hames and published in Letter to the editors of local newspapers on Wed 19th Mar 2003

As I write, we are clearly on the brink of war. At this time our thoughts, quite rightly, turn to the service men and women called into action. The Liberal Democrats are backing our armed forces in the Gulf wholeheartedly. However, there is no inconsistency between criticising the strategy of the Government and supporting the service people whose duty is to carry that strategy out.

I believe that the case for war against Iraq has not yet been established, especially given the absence of specific United Nations authorisation, and that war now is not the last resort that it ought to be. Naturally, we all hope for the safe return of our troops - I also fear many casualties among innocent Iraqi civilians, and that this war will breed a new generation of extremists and terrorists.

Lib Dem Defence Spokesman, Paul Keetch MP, speaks with British soldiers in the Gulf.

Our armed forces do not seek to be politicians. They will simply be wanting, when called upon, to do their job, and I am sure that they will do it very well indeed. I have enormous respect for their courage at this time, skill and devotion to duty. I hope that their tasks will be swiftly concluded with minimal casualties on all sides.

They deserve our full support.