by RAY FLEMING
WILL Michael Howard raise the matter of the Ambassadors' letter on Iraq and Israel at Prime Minister's Questions today? He may not. The letter may pose greater difficulties for the Leader of the Opposition than for Mr Blair. It expresses in the clearest possible terms the criticisms of government policy that have been widely advanced in the media and elsewhere but have hardly been heard in Parliament - except, to a limited extent, from Charles Kennedy. When British forces are engaged overseas in military action it is difficult for any politician to criticise the policies they are fighting to defend or implement; Iain Duncan Smith took this line and Michael Howard adhered to it without amendment when he assumed the leadership of the Conservatives. In doing so he effectively declared Iraq to be a no-go area for criticism of the Government. However, the issues raised in the Ambassadors' letter to Mr Blair are of such moment and come with such authority that they could provide Mr Howard with an opportunity to break loose from the constraints he has until now accepted and instead articulate the serious concerns about the Government's Middle East policies held by large sections of the public.
ADDRESSING THE ISSUE
28/04/2004 00:00
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