questionmark Posted October 2, 2007 #1 Share Posted October 2, 2007 Anger mounts at Gordon Brown's Basra pullout By Thomas Harding, Defence Correspondent Last Updated: 6:25pm BST 02/10/2007 Heavy criticism has turned into condemnation of the "cynical" way in which Gordon Brown announced the return of 1,000 troops from Basra today. The Prime Minister was attacked by former Prime Minister Sir John Major for failing to make his announcement on troop withdrawals to the House of Commons. He was also accused of playing a "shameful" political game after he sprung a surprise visit to Iraq timed to coincide with the Conservative party conference. Sir John questioned the timing of the announcement and the number of troops it appeared to concern. He said: "I've no conceivable idea why 1,000, rather than the 2,000 that was briefed, or any other number. "I'm not sure what the mission of the remaining troops may be, but in particular I'm not sure what will happen between now and Christmas that will justify the thousand coming home. "We have just not been told. This is a statement that should properly have been made to Parliament." Officials have confirmed that the overall reduction of 1,000 troops included 500 already announced as a result of the decision over the summer to pull out of Basra Palace. Senior Tories met the announcement with anger. Liam Fox, the shadow defence secretary, said: "Does this man have no shame? Once you read the small print you realise we are back to the same old spin. "Five hundred of these troops have already been announced earlier in the year and 270 are already back in the UK. "This is a cynical exploitation of our armed forces by a Prime Minister who puts the Labour Party's interests before the national interest." During a Tory conference speech, shadow justice secretary Nick Herbert said: "Gordon Brown has repeatedly said that he would make a statement on troop withdrawal to Parliament when it returns. Full story, Source: The Telegraph Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevewinn Posted October 2, 2007 #2 Share Posted October 2, 2007 (edited) i agree with everything Dr Liam Fox says, Dr Liam Fox, the shadow defence secretary, said: "Does this man have no shame? Once you read the small print you realise we are back to the same old spin. "Five hundred of these troops have already been announced earlier in the year and 270 are already back in the UK. "This is a cynical exploitation of our armed forces by a Prime Minister who puts the Labour Party's interests before the national interest." During a Tory conference speech, shadow justice secretary Nick Herbert said: "Gordon Brown has repeatedly said that he would make a statement on troop withdrawal to Parliament when it returns. Tony Bliar and Gordon Brown have Wrecked the British Armed Forces. its an absolute disgrace, And to think i voted for Labour i must need my head examined. Edited October 2, 2007 by stevewinn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chemical-licker Posted October 2, 2007 #3 Share Posted October 2, 2007 and to think i voted for Labour i must need my head examined. i vote to have this man banned bloody labour bloody labour Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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