 |
Brian and
Julian - taken at the
Fawley Remembrance Service 2004 |
Brian Dash, Parliamentary Spokesman
for the New Forest Liberal Democrats, won widespread respect
from both Conservative and Liberal Democrat supporters, for
his outstanding performance at the Iraq Debate tonight.
The debate took place at the newly
opened Hangar Farm Arts Centre, Totton. This is a £3 million flagship
facility, the pride and joy of the local Liberal Democrat
controlled, Totton & Eling Town Council.
The debate was hosted by staff at Totton College,
who saw fair play to both parties. A very large audience
gathered, although almost all members of The Liberal Democrats
or Conservative Party. The Prospective Candidate for the
Labour party was invited but did not show up.
Brian Dash made a very reasoned and passionate
speech, reminding the audience of events that led up to the
conflict, the fact that no weapons of mass destruction were
ever found. He argued that the decision to go to war was
illegal, mistaken and has almost certainly created a greater
threat to our security than had existed beforehand.
Tory MP,
Dr Lewis defended his actions in backing the government and
the war by suggesting that future events in Iraq will take
a turn for the better, justifying all that has happened to
date. Responding to a question from the floor, he denied
following a party political line, suggesting that he had
made his mind up on the strength of a Tony Blair speech.
There was a strong difference
of opinion over the role of the United Nations. Dr Lewis
did not see the UN as being a "World Government". He felt
that it reflected the worst, as well as the best countries
and maintained that countries should be free to act against
the will of the UN if circumstances dictated it, especially
in the fight against terrorism.
In response, Brian Dash asked
the question "Who
is a terrorist?" He gave several examples of world leaders
who were once classed as terrorists and pointed to the dangers
of individual nations justifying war on the basis that regime
change was necessary, to get rid of dictators.
With public opinion, still solidly
against the war in Iraq, coupled with almost daily news
of car bombings and other atrocities, the Liberal Democrats
feel vindicated by the brave stance in standing out against
the Labour and Conservative position.
Dr Lewis was always going to find
this a difficult debate. However, his supporters will have
been left a little more demoralised now that they have
witnessed the quality of his chief political rival. Perhaps
it was the intention of our local MP,
under pressure, to draw a line on the Iraq debate. On the
evidence of this debate, the war of words has still some
way to go. |
