IRAQ: "STRATEGIC DISASTER"

12.49.05pm GMT Thu 20th Mar 2008

Stephen Gilbert, the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate for St Austell & Newquay, has labelled the invasion of Iraq a "strategic disaster".

Speaking on the fifth anniversary of the beginning of the Iraq war Stephen Gilbert said "Five years ago, the Labour Government led Britain into war while the Conservatives cheered them on.

"It is now clear that the war in Iraq and the occupation of the country were a strategic disaster and the worst foreign policy decision taken by Britain in living memory."

Stephen Gilbert added: "When I speak to local service men and women who have served in Iraq it is clear that they don't feel they are making a positive difference in that country.

"Despite this the Government continues to ask our forces to put their lives at risk for no gain for either our country or the world at large."

Five years on from the start of the invasion in 2003, 175 British troops have lost their lives, £7 billion has been spent and, according to some estimates, 600,000 Iraqis have lost their lives.

Stephen Gilbert added: "Without the support of the Conservatives the Labour Government would have lost the vote in Parliament and the UK would not have been involved."

"This war was meant to make the world safer, to get rid of weapons of mass destruction and to help end terrorism. But the world is now less safe, there were no weapons of mass destruction and the threat from terrorism has gone up, not down."

"I am calling on Cornish Conservatives to join with the Liberal Democrats in urging the Government to set a timetable for the full withdrawal of the remaining UK troops from Iraq."