Do You Regret Your Decision to Resign?

Of course I do not regret the decision I took to resign my post as a PPS to speak out about my concerns.

I chose my course of action because as an MP I could not vote with a clear moral conscience for an unjust war. A simple military victory by the US/UK forces does not mean that the reasons for opposition simply disappear. An unjust war does not become morally right because you win.

Like many who aired concerns abuot unilateral, pre emptive military action I had no doubt that Saddam was an evil dictator, and that most Iraqis would love to see an end to the regime. But this was never part of the reason for going to war ! In fact if you remember Bush suggested that there would be no war, and Saddam could stay, as long as there was compliance with UN resolution 1441 and the Weapons Inspectors. So don't let all those who have now jumped on the bandwagon pretend that 'liberation' was a desired outcome.

The entire test for the US/UK is to find the Weapons of Mass Destruction and to prove they were an immediate threat to the world. Even if/when they are found it does not alter the fact that war should always be used as the absolute last resort, and again taking military pre emptive action without international support and outright oppositin from much of the Middle East, does nothing to stabilise the world.

So whilst I am of course pleased to see that events have no moved on my initial decision is still as valid today as it was in March 2003.

There remains a choice - an MP who follows the Party line at every turn of one who exercises his right to vote by conscience. Whatever yuor view, I will always vote with my moral conscience. I could not live with myself if I did anything else.

Updated -April 2003