Blair must set a date for withdrawal of Iraq troops

1.24.42pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 23rd Apr 2007

Liberal Democrat Leader Menzies Campbell has sent a letter to Tony Blair calling on him to use the announcement of his departure from Downing Street as an opportunity to admit the failure of the invasion of Iraq and set a date for the withdrawal of UK forces.

In the letter Menzies Campbell says "It is widely expected that you will shortly announce the date of your departure from Downing Street, probably after the election on 3rd May 2007. When you make that announcement would it not be appropriate for you to acknowledge the failure of government policy in Iraq and to announce a target date for the withdrawal of all UK forces?"

The letter was written after US Senate majority leader Harry Reid said the war in Iraq was 'lost'.

Sir Menzies also said "This is a realistic assessment of a situation which continues to deteriorate as has been evidenced by the terrible events last week in Iraq and the sad increase in UK casualties. Is there any reason to doubt Senator Reid's assessment?"

The full text of the letter:

Dear Tony

You will no doubt be aware of senator Harry Reid's comments (reported today, 20th April 2007) that the United States has lost the war in Iraq. This is a realistic assessment of a situation which continues to deteriorate as has been evidenced by the terrible events last week in Iraq and the sad increase in UK casualties. Is there any reason to doubt Senator Reid's assessment?

Opposition to US engagement in Iraq becomes more vocal both in the Senate and in the House of Representatives, with both houses fixing dates for withdrawal in outright opposition to President Bush. It is widely expected that you will shortly announce the date of your departure from Downing Street, probably after the election on 3rd May 2007. When you make that announcement would it not be appropriate for you to acknowledge the failure of government policy in Iraq and to announce a target date for the withdrawal of all UK forces?

Yours sincerely

Menzies Campbell