Tuesday 11 June 2013

The Iraq War - 10 years on - a debate in the House on Thursday

The Backbench Business Committee have given the House a day this Thursday from 11.30 to have a general debate on the Iraq war, on the 10th anniversary. I think it very unlikely I would be called to speak as it is oversubscribed but it will be a good opportunity to remember those who gave their lives, to reflect on what was done right and what errors were made, as well as making an assessment of the wisdom of getting involved and toppling Saddam.
The added significance is that we have the brewing catastrophe in Syria and what this country wishes to do about it. I suspect that the lessons learnt from previous conflicts will feature heavily in both Thursdays debate and the future debate on Syria.