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Title: Iraq Chilcot war inqury, Commons bebate 24th june 09, Paul Flynn speech View count: 28 Rating: 5.0 (1 ratings) Description: Paul Flynn MP (Labour) appeals to parliament to vote down his government's proposed Iraq inquiry (which many suspect will be yet another whiewash) in favour of one which could get cross party support. This debate showed the British Parliament at both its best, and its worst. On the one hand around 20 MPs delivered well researched, eloquently worded, and passionately delivered speeches. The vast majority where highly critical of the governments proposed Iraq enquiry. They expressed strong doubts about the credentials of those chosen by the government to lead the inquiry, sighting one as having been directly involved in trying to push through a second UN resolution permitting an invasion of Iraq. Another had been involved in the Hutton inquiry (regarded by some as a whitewash). A third (a Historian) has publicly compared Bush and Blair to Roosevelt and Churchill. They pointed to the absence of specialists with cross examination skills, with first hand experience of working in the military, or in parliament. They pointed out that this inquiry would be unable to place witnesses under any form of legally binding oath. Etc etc In short they made it clear that the governments proposed inquiry would not be fit for purpose, and could not hope satisfy the majority British public. Most of the speakers wanted more time and consultation given to setting up a more credible Inquiry. They were denied this by a large group of Labour back benchers, most of whom where not even present for most of the debate, and who I suspect of being more interested in their careers than allowing us all to learn the facts about what was done in our name in Iraq. To those who voted to support the governments sorry excuse for an enquiry (mostly Labour members) I say: shame on you. Tags: iraq war inqiury, paul flynn speech, iraq war, chilcot inquiry, parliament, debate, speech, Author: Prunesqualer |
