Carmichael: World is still more dangerous due to Iraq war
The legacy of the decision to go to war in Iraq is that the world is a more dangerous place, MP Alistair Carmichael argued in parliament today.
Speaking in the aftermath of the publication of the long-awaited Chilcot Inquiry into the decision Mr Carmichael said the inquiry report represented the “last chapter in a sorry episode of our country’s history”.
He said that the Liberal Democrats’ decision in 2003 to vote against the war had been vindicated. “That was not an easy decision but I have never doubted that it was the right one,” Mr Carmichael added.
The war and its aftermath had made the world a more dangerous place, he said.
“It has long been clear that this was a war into which we should never had entered and which has had enduring consequences for the Middle East and the west. As a result of that war we are less safe today than we have ever been.
“This was unnecessary. Parliament and government both failed the people and we shall pay the price for years to come. In the future it is essential that Parliament should have a proper understanding of intelligence material before it votes and every MP will have a duty to assess that evidence fairly and calmly before deciding how to vote.”
During parliamentary debate on the issue Mr Carmichael took the opportunity to again quiz David Cameron over the UK’s involvement in the rendering of terror suspects.
Mr Carmichael said: “Like the Prime Minister, I remember the debates of February and March 2003. We were both elected for the first time in 2001.
“What I remember is that many of the members then who asked questions and demanded evidence were heckled and barracked and shouted down. And I think when we have our debate on this report, it is right that, as well as scrutinising the conduct of others, this house should turn some of that scrutiny on itself.
“We now know that much of what purported to be evidence in 2003 was obtained by people who had been tortured having been illegally rendered. Will the Prime Minister give me an assurance that this country will never again base its foreign policy judgements on evidence or information obtained in that way?”
Mr Cameron replied that the issue had been “specifically addressed” during the Liberal Democrat-Conservative Party coalition “that we should not rely on or use in any way evidence that was delivered by means of torture.”
Peter Hamilton
A second UN resolution would have seen the Lib Dems back the war. It would not have made the war right or secured a better outcome for the region.
Blair is fooling himself when he says his decision will ultimately result in democracy and stability in the region. Democracy does not result from war.
paul barnett
So you believe Saddam should have remained in power killing thousands of his own people every month . If you ask me then I say yes but I would like to know your view.
Johan Adamson
War is never the answer tho. There were other things they could have done instead. I am very sorry we all let this happen and democracy failed. I am glad the Liberals disagreed on this occasion and they should have kept up this individuality when in government with the Tories.
Laurence Paton
War is never the answer ? Certainly it shouldn’t be the answer…… but
I would have liked to have seen you make that speech when the Nazis were poised to attack on the outskirts of Moscow – 1941 . And I could quote many other examples …
Johan Adamson
Why are we still bombing Syria when we know now it’s so wrong?
David Spence
‘ War is never the answer tho. ‘
Well Johan, you only have to look at US Foreign Policy to see, from their point of view, war is very much the answer…………certainly from the US Banking System’s perspective.
What better is there to make billions in profits by creating war and conflict or sewing the seeds for future conflict, completely destroy a country’s/countries infrastructures, then offer, after the conflict, billions in loans to rebuild the country/countries.
Continue this by the banks providing billions in loans for the defense of the country, via the arms industry, and everybody is happy, especially the banks.
When it comes to an institution being responsible for more conflict, war and death, you need look no further than western banking methods (especially this of the US).