Government must heed anti-war protests

12.00.00am GMT Tue 18th Feb 2003

The Liberal Democrats have urged the Government to listen to the message of the hundreds of thousands of people who joined the massive anti-war on Iraq protest in London.

Liberal Democrat Leader Charles Kennedy, speaking at the protest, told the demonstrators in Hyde Park that their voices should make the Prime Minister stop and listen.

Local Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesman Mike Bell said: "I know many people who travelled up to London from North Somerset to send a clear message to the Government that the case for war against Iraq has not yet been made. "The information put forward so far has been inconclusive and misleading. The arguments have been inconsistent and contradictory. The real aims - what would follow a war - have never been properly explained. No wonder so many people are suspicious and scared.

"The Liberal Democrats have argued consistently for four principles. The United Nations has the moral authority and the political mandate. United Nations decisions have to be based on adequate information - which means full compliance with the weapons inspectors. The British House of Commons must have the right to vote on any actions to be taken. And all other options would need to have been exhausted."

Several Liberal Democrat members from Clevedon travelled to London to take part in the anti-war protest which has been described as the biggest ever political rally in British history.