Tony Blair has called for UK Labour MPs to leave debates about Iraq by the end of May.
He says a phased withdrawal should begin immediately, despite fears remaining MPs will have little experience of democracy.
The PM wants backbenchers to leave Iraq debates immediately, followed by cabinet members at the end of February and then, at the start of March, he will personally draw the curtain.
Leader of the Opposition, David Cameron, argued that setting an arbitrary timetable for the withdrawal would send the wrong signal to voters and could lead to scenes of mayhem in the House of Commons.
However, the Prime Minister was steadfast as he outlined his plans for the withdrawal. “We have to face that the situation in the Commons is a grim one and a serious one. Sometimes it is better to lose and do the right thing than to win and do the wrong thing. We have occupied the House for too long on this matter. The more we stay in Parliament, the more we create further hatred. Disengagement from debate is the way forward. Our arguments are spent, their futility apparent. We need to give the MPs of other parties a chance to have their say.”
Some critics have voiced concerns the withdrawal will create a power vacuum that would be calamitous for British politics.
Infighting amongst the opposition, particularly the Conservative party, could lead to destructive petty squabbling and a worsening of an already desperate situation. The most pessimistic of predictions points to directionless debates with increased deployment of sarcasm and a rise in barracking.
He says a phased withdrawal should begin immediately, despite fears remaining MPs will have little experience of democracy.
The PM wants backbenchers to leave Iraq debates immediately, followed by cabinet members at the end of February and then, at the start of March, he will personally draw the curtain.
Leader of the Opposition, David Cameron, argued that setting an arbitrary timetable for the withdrawal would send the wrong signal to voters and could lead to scenes of mayhem in the House of Commons.
However, the Prime Minister was steadfast as he outlined his plans for the withdrawal. “We have to face that the situation in the Commons is a grim one and a serious one. Sometimes it is better to lose and do the right thing than to win and do the wrong thing. We have occupied the House for too long on this matter. The more we stay in Parliament, the more we create further hatred. Disengagement from debate is the way forward. Our arguments are spent, their futility apparent. We need to give the MPs of other parties a chance to have their say.”
Some critics have voiced concerns the withdrawal will create a power vacuum that would be calamitous for British politics.
Infighting amongst the opposition, particularly the Conservative party, could lead to destructive petty squabbling and a worsening of an already desperate situation. The most pessimistic of predictions points to directionless debates with increased deployment of sarcasm and a rise in barracking.
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