Embattled Blair to stay in office

LONDON – Top Labour MPs insisted yesterday that Britain’s Prime Minister Tony Blair would not step down amid mounting criticism over Iraq, as the defence minister dismissed media reports that the number of British troops in the war-torn country could be doubled.

“This is the most successful prime minister in living memory. Why would anyone want to dump him now? I cannot understand that,” Labour MP and Commons leader Peter Hain told ITV’s GMTV program.Defence Minister Geoff Hoon echoed a similar sentiment, saying the premier’s overall performance and busy domestic schedule attested to the fact Blair was not “contemplating retirement.”On Iraq, Hoon said Blair was “absolutely determined to see this job through.””Here is a man focused, engaged on the job, determined to sort out Iraq and allow Iraq to become part of the international community again.”Blair’s popularity has slumped since he took Britain into the US-led war in Iraq, countering widespread public scepticism with the argument that Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction – none of which were subsequently found – posed an immediate threat to the West.Allegations of ill-treatment of Iraqi detainees by British troops and continued unrest have also dealt a blow to the coalition’s declared intention to bring democracy and freedom to the former dictatorship.Blair’s U-turn over supporting a referendum on the proposed new European Union constitution has also hit the Labour prime minister.A survey in the Sunday Times newspaper showed that 46 per cent of respondents believe he should quit before the next election, expected a year from now, as another 22 per cent wanted him to go after the polls.Only 20 per cent said he should stay on as prime minister if elected.A towering 93 per cent said the Iraq conflict had damaged Blair politically and 62 per cent said it had “hugely” hurt him.Support for the war has slipped from 51 per cent, during the conflict, to only 41 per cent in favour now.Hoon, meanwhile, brushed off media speculation that the number of British troops in Iraq, currently totalling some 8 000 soldiers, could be doubled.”I simply do not know where they have that from,” Hoon said of a report to that effect by the Independent on Sunday.The Sunday Telegraph said for its part that Labour MPs will press for a parliament vote to endorse the dispatching of 4 000 additional troops to the Shiite holy city of Najaf and parts of central Iraq.”There has been no decision whatsoever on any fundamental increase on the numbers because the commanders on the ground today do not judge that it is necessary,” Hoon said, stressing – along with Hain – that parliamentary approval was not necessary for extra troops to be sent to Iraq.”But I must emphasise this is something we keep under constant review,” he said in reference to possible attacks in the run-up to the June 30 sovereignty hand-over.- Nampa-AFPWhy would anyone want to dump him now? I cannot understand that,” Labour MP and Commons leader Peter Hain told ITV’s GMTV program.Defence Minister Geoff Hoon echoed a similar sentiment, saying the premier’s overall performance and busy domestic schedule attested to the fact Blair was not “contemplating retirement.”On Iraq, Hoon said Blair was “absolutely determined to see this job through.””Here is a man focused, engaged on the job, determined to sort out Iraq and allow Iraq to become part of the international community again.”Blair’s popularity has slumped since he took Britain into the US-led war in Iraq, countering widespread public scepticism with the argument that Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction – none of which were subsequently found – posed an immediate threat to the West.Allegations of ill-treatment of Iraqi detainees by British troops and continued unrest have also dealt a blow to the coalition’s declared intention to bring democracy and freedom to the former dictatorship.Blair’s U-turn over supporting a referendum on the proposed new European Union constitution has also hit the Labour prime minister.A survey in the Sunday Times newspaper showed that 46 per cent of respondents believe he should quit before the next election, expected a year from now, as another 22 per cent wanted him to go after the polls.Only 20 per cent said he should stay on as prime minister if elected.A towering 93 per cent said the Iraq conflict had damaged Blair politically and 62 per cent said it had “hugely” hurt him.Support for the war has slipped from 51 per cent, during the conflict, to only 41 per cent in favour now.Hoon, meanwhile, brushed off media speculation that the number of British troops in Iraq, currently totalling some 8 000 soldiers, could be doubled.”I simply do not know where they have that from,” Hoon said of a report to that effect by the Independent on Sunday.The Sunday Telegraph said for its part that Labour MPs will press for a parliament vote to endorse the dispatching of 4 000 additional troops to the Shiite holy city of Najaf and parts of central Iraq.”There has been no decision whatsoever on any fundamental increase on the numbers because the commanders on the ground today do not judge that it is necessary,” Hoon said, stressing – along with Hain – that parliamentary approval was not necessary for extra troops to be sent to Iraq.”But I must emphasise this is something we keep under constant review,” he said in reference to possible attacks in the run-up to the June 30 sovereignty hand-over.- Nampa-AFP