Having just myself returned from a holiday in Spain, I’m rather surprised to find that Tory MP, Julian Lewis, accuses me of an “uncharacteristic interest in foreign affairs” (letters to the Echo published 2/9/04 in response to a Julian Lewis challenge on Iraq). 

Spain, I would remind him is where they kicked out the Government after the Madrid atrocity demonstrated the tragic stupidity of confusing the campaign against terrorism with the invasion of Iraq. 

Julian hasn’t twigged it though.

I will, of course, be very pleased to take part in a public debate with him over Iraq.

It is a shame that he did not see fit to hold such a meeting with his constituents before he voted for war.

I believe he voted with George Bush and all his dangerous right wing cronies. Dr Lewis seemed certain that the weapons of mass destruction existed, without the evidence.

I’m not sure if a Labour Spokesman will attend.

Our polling suggests that over 5,000 former Labour voters in the New Forest East are intending to support the Liberal Democrats at the next General Election. It should be an interesting debate.