At today's LRC Conference I made the following statement on the grave situation in the Lebanon.
"Before I introduce the LRC's Executive Statement to this year's conference I want to say a few words about what is happening in the Lebanon. Most of us have come here today enthusiastic at the very start of a new and exciting campaign. But our thoughts can't help but turn to the men, women, and yes children, who are suffering and dying in the Lebanon, Gaza and Israel.
As troops mass on the Lebanese border, I am ashamed that the British Government alongside the Bush regime is one of the only countries in the world to refuse to call upon Israel to ceasefire.
Isn't it time that we had a British Prime Minister who led this country in peace rather than was led by Bush in war? How much more suffering does it take to force Bush and Blair to act? We know that one call from Bush would halt the Israeli attacks.
If Tony Blair won't do it, then we will. From this conference today, we call for an immediate ceasefire in the name of humanity.
I give this commitment. In our campaign in the coming weeks and months we will reassure people that the pursuit of peace will be a central role of any future real Labour Government."
