Few would disagree that the Iraq war is amongst the most pressing political issues facing Britain and its political leaders today. It therefore seems remarkable that the government has succeeded in avoiding debate and even more significantly any form of vote on the issue since before hostilities began. Today, a SNP-Plaid Cymru motion calls for a full review into the way the government's responsibilities were discharged in relation to Iraq before military action and afterwards.

The Independent reports:

• Alex Salmond leader of SNP said "This is an opportunity for the House of Commons to bring to account a government which has led us into this bloody quagmire."
• ‘The suggestion of any investigation is being fiercely opposed by Downing Street, which argues that it would undermine the British forces and give succour to Iraqi insurgents.’

This vote raises some fascinating issues about party political policy towards Iraq and the ability of Parliament to hold the government to account on matters of foreign policy.

Brown, Cameron and Cambell have each acknowledged that the March 2003 Commons vote has established a de facto precedent that in the future will compel governments to consult Parliament before committing British troops to a major military campaign. However, this reinforcement of Parliamentary authority is devalued if MPs are subsequently prevented from holding the government to account for the conduct of military operations.

The Liberal Democrats have enthusiastically supported the motion, Michael Moore, foreign affairs spokesman, called on the Government to follow the lead of the White House, which has established the Baker review into the situation in Iraq. "This is an important debate which ought to be the starting point for government accountability on Iraq," he said. "It is unacceptable that the Government has not allotted time to debate this important issue for over two years and that we have had to rely on an opposition day debate before MPs can discuss this in Parliament."

Despite a likely rebellion from a number of Labour MPs, the government seems confident that it will not be defeated in today’s vote. The motion poses the greatest test to the Conservatives who seem utterly bemused about where they should position themselves on Iraq. William Hague, called for a probe similar to the Franks inquiry into the Falklands that would focus on the lead up to the war, thus dodging any accusations that the Tories do not support British troops. Yet, he has also warned that his party may vote with the rebels and the Lib Dems today but rather cryptically added “We are not asking for such an inquiry to be established immediately, only that one will be established eventually.”

The Iraq War and its political consequences will be discussed at the KeynesForum Conference on Britain and the Middle East this Saturday. Places are still available, please contact info@centreforum.org.

Also in todays news

• The fall-out from the Stern report on Climate Change dominates todays news agenda. The Financial Times notes how remarkably the political climate could not be more benign. Both the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats are committed to raising taxation in order to deal with climate change.
• David Cameron has called for more uniformity over coming of age, by standardising the age at which different rights and responsibilities, such as driving/voting/marriage are conferred. But as the Guardian reports he may still be struggling with the youth vote, as one young member of the audience announced his thoughts on Cameron, "You do not know your arse from your elbow, you bastard."