It's time to pull out of Iraq - Rhodri challenged to give his view.

7.56.02pm GMT Wed 24th Jan 2007

Alison Goldsworthy, spokesperson for Cardiff West Lib Dems has today called for our troops to be withdrawn from Iraq by October. The call came as Lib Dem leader Ming Campbell MP challenged Labour's Tony Blair in Prime Ministers Questions and led a debate in the House of Commons.

Alison Goldsworthy said:

"It is clear now that we have done all we can and that our presence in Iraq is now exacerbating the situation."

"The process of withdrawal should begin in May and be completed by the end of October. It is time to go."

"I was against us going in to Iraq to start with, I felt the grounds for war suggested by Labour were not compelling enough. Unlike Rhodri Morgan I am more than happy to put my views on the record. The voters of Cardiff West deserve to know where their current AM stands. I've given my view, now it is time for Rhodri to do the same."

Ming Campbell MP spoke in the House of Commons, saying:

"Given the lack of UK influence over coalition strategy, the deepening sectarian conflict, and the increasing antipathy of the Iraqi people to the coalition forces, the time has come for a controlled exit from Iraq.

I cannot speak for the other party leaders but, for me, acknowledging British fatalities in Afghanistan and Iraq at Prime Minister's Time on Wednesdays is the bleakest moment of the week. It happens with chilling regularity.

Today the British public should have had the opportunity to hear all of the party leaders express their views on Britain's future involvement in Iraq. But the Prime Minister refused to attend the debate. He should have been there to speak for himself and the government on the substantive motion before the House.

These are serious matters, and they merit proper attention from all of our party leaders."