Why I backed Blair on Iraq, by MP Barker

Missile strikes aimed at five key members of the Iraqi regime, including Saddam Hussein, were launched by the US at 2.34am GMT.

Speaking on Wednesday, Bexhill and Battle MP Gregory Barker said that he reluctantly voted with the Government against an anti-war amendment on in order to show solidarity with the British troops in Iraq.

Despite a record 139 Labour MPs rebelling against Tony Blair, Britain committed itself to the war as the Government still achieved a majority of 179 in favour of military action.

Mr Barker said: "I've been very unhappy for a long time about the whole handling of the Iraq crisis and abstained from voting in the past.

"However, we are in the position that Tony Blair has got us in and to do anything but support our troops 100 per cent can't be sensible or rational.

"Reluctantly, and having thought very hard about the decision, I decided to go with the Government.

"I am not supporting Tony Blair, I am showing my solidarity with the troops. I was mindful of what Churchill said to Eden about the Suez crisis. He said: "I wouldn't have dared start it, but having started I wouldn't dare to stop it".

"I think it is essential people get behind our troops now the decision has been made. We have got to pull together regardless of the different moral positions, and support our professional men and women putting their lives at risk. I fully understand that there will be people who will continue to object to this conflict because I cannot recall a more difficult state of international circumstances that has divided the country so much.

"It would be wrong to say I am 100 per cent certain with what I have done, but I have given this a great deal of thought and believe this is the right decision."

One of Mr Barker's greatest concerns is how the British Government will help rebuild Iraq after the conflict.

He added: "I am totally robust about how the humanitarian crisis will be handled after the war. I spoke in the House on Tuesday and intervened on Jack Straw.

"I think Claire Short's handling of the whole situation has been appalling. Instead of grandstanding to the media she should have been facing up to her responsibilities. She wouldn't face up to the fact that the conflict was coming and totally refused to engage and start preparing for war. As a result contingency plans for the humanitarian crisis after the war are woefully inadequate."

"I just hope that DFiD (the Department for International Development) will pull its finger out and start engaging with Oxfam and other organisations in order to make the necessary preparations.

"I promise my constituents that I will continue to pressure the Government on their plans for humanitarian relief. The way Claire Short has behaved is disgraceful and I believe it will come back to haunt her."

"Tony Blair and George Bush have been gambling with international institutions which have been vital in preserving the global stability which has existed since the end of the second world War. And so has Jacques Chirac. His behaviour has been quite destructive and I think out of everyone, the French will be the worst affected at the end of this crisis."