Letter to Anthony Steen

Dear Anthony,

On Thursday the House of Commons will debate 'Defence in the World' during which the proposed deployment of British Troops in the American sector of Iraq and under American command will be raised.

These proposals make two fundamental changes from the current situation- the troops will be operating outside the British sector and under American command. There is considerable unrest amongst M.Ps of all parties about this situation. Our troops, who operate in an entirely different way from the Americans, will be put into more dangerous areas outside our Government's control. The Government will be seen, yet again, to be propping up the Bush administration just two weeks away from the Presidential elections. To do this without a vote in the House of Commons is an affront to democracy.

The Liberal Democrats, who have taken a clear, principled and consistent stand on the Iraq situation are calling for a vote to be taken before troops are committed, a call I fully support. I would ask you to also support this move and ensure that Parliament has the chance to decide whether our troops should be deployed in this way.

Yours sincerely,

Mike Treleaven