Signs of unrest among Labour backbenchers
Four Labour backbenchers have called on Tony Blair to admit mistakes were made over Iraq.
In a series of “memos” to the Prime Minister backbenchers David Drew, Ann Cryer, Richard Burden and Kevin Brennan have urged the Prime Minister to reflect on the Iraq war, Britain’s place in Europe and his close relationship with the US.
Their comments come after Labour’s poor showing in the local and European elections.
Mr Drew, the MP for Stroud, told the BBC: “We lost heavily on Thursday because voters exacted revenge over Iraq and have yet to be persuaded that public service delivery is right.
“On the former we have to put our hand up to say that we got it wrong, as much as anything so that we convince the wider electorate that intervention on occasions is appropriate.”
The MPs stop short though of challenging Tony Blair’s leadership.
Mr Brennan said Mr Blair should not “even think about packing it in.”
But he added that while Mr Blair was at the G8 summit, some of Labour’s “flagship councils got nicked.”
“But while you are unpacking don’t even think about packing it in. We need you at the wheel.”
Voters were telling Mr Blair he had “wandered off course” and there must be “no more off-road detours.” He said.
Ms Cryer said the UK must stop blindly echoing US foreign policy and privatisation of public services must end.
Mr Burden said voters were irked with the UK’s support for America’s “double standards.”
The Leader of the Commons, Peter Hain, urged the party in Parliament and the country to remain unified.
Mr Hain warned Labour supporters, who voted for the Liberal Democrats at the local and European elections in protest against the Iraq war,
that such actions could cost the party the next general election.
Mr Hain told The Observer: “If this behaviour is reflected at the general election, then it isn’t teaching us a lesson or giving a message. What it’s doing is bringing in Michael Howard by the back door.”
Mr Hain said the Lib Dems party was quickly becoming “a kind of sponge for absorbing Labour discontent.”
