Keetch Tells Students 'The Case For War Has Not Been Made'

12.00.00am GMT Tue 4th Feb 2003

Hereford's MP Paul Keetch, the Liberal Democrat Shadow Defence Secretary, has told a rally of over 2,000 students in London that the case for war in Iraq has not yet been made.

Speaking at the annual Westminster Day, which included students from Hereford Sixth Form College, Mr Keetch said that Tony Blair was failing to take the people of Britain with him.

"Of course I do not rule out war in all circumstances, but war has to be a last resort" he said.

"Before we contemplate military action we have to exhaust all other means. We need to see the evidence that Saddam poses a threat to Britain. We have to give the UN Inspectors time to finish their job. We need a substantive vote in the House of Commons, and we need United Nations Authority."

"Perhaps war then might be justified - but we are far from that position."

"The event saw, among others, Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith, Labour party chairman Dr John Reid and Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy address the assembled students. "

"Mr Keetch was speaking in the afternoon debate on Iraq chaired by former MP and war correspondent Martin Bell, which also featured Shadow Foreign Secretary Michael Ancram, Defence Minister Adam Ingram and journalist Will Hutton."

"Westminster Day Organiser, David Hare, said the event provided a unique chance for students to engage with senior political figures and 'spark an interest in the political process'."

"Turnout at the 2001 general election dipped to 59 per cent and was most acute in the young. If young people are not going to feel disenfranchised they have to believe that politicians are listening to them."

"The event was a great success," Mr Keetch commented. "It gives young people a real opportunity to put their points to politicians, and Iraq is something about which everyone at the event had plenty to say.

"Anything that opens up politics and gives young people a chance to be involved in the political process can only be good for democracy."