Adam Ingram and the anti-war movement

Andrea Wed Oct 25, 2006 at 04:49:18 PM GMT Print-friendly version Facebook

Today in a Westminster Hall debate, Junior Defence Minister Adam Ingram said the following words:


"He tried to explain why dictatorships had to be removed but was howled down by those who would call themselves the anti-war coalition, which some would call the pro-dictator coalition. [Interruption.] I said that some would say that, having lived under the yoke of the evil of Saddam Hussein."



Some anti-war MPs present (in particular Jeremy Corbyn, Alex Salmond and Adam Price) were outraged by his attempt to link the anti-war movement in general as a supporter of Saddam Hussein's evil regime.

Ingram tried to argue that he was just saying that some would use that description, not that he would use it.

However he decided to mention that passage in his speech to make a jibe to the anti-war movement, probably knowing fully well what reaction it would have produced.
Was it sensible? Does it help to have a mature debate about the Iraq situation?
I don't think so.
In my opinion trying to paint anti-war protesters as Saddam Hussein's fans downgraded him at the same level of George Galloway's attention seeking statements about Blair's "hands full of blood".

To seriously discuss the Iraq situation, I think we should stop on attacking the "other side" as murderers or Saddam's supporters


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Adam Ingram and the anti-war movement | 7 comments (7 topical)

Re: Adam Ingram and the anti-war movement (#1)

by Glass House on Wed Oct 25, 2006 at 10:28:38 PM GMT

I agree. It sometimes feels like there are a lot of extremists on boths side on line


Re: Adam Ingram and the anti-war movement (#2)

by Andrea on Wed Oct 25, 2006 at 10:40:45 PM GMT

Sometimes feelings are running too high on both sides of the argument and it ends up reducing it to a "Punch and Judy".


[ Parent ]

Re: Adam Ingram and the anti-war movement (#4)

by swatantra on Thu Oct 26, 2006 at 01:54:39 PM GMT

Pity the poor average Iraqi citizen who had relative security under the Saddam regime than the utter chaos we have at present. Was it all worth it, you ask Even going back to Saddam's invasion of Kuwait and the first Gulf War, are the Kuwaiti's any better off. In the world of realpolitik these are the considerations you have to weigh up.


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Re: Adam Ingram and the anti-war movement (#3)

by Glass House on Thu Oct 26, 2006 at 01:14:30 PM GMT

Does anyone else feel that debates have become much more polarised recently? It might be something to do with Labour's domination coming to an end.

The veil, Isreal-Palestine, Iraq, War on Terror - each side sees any views that reach for the sensible centre as tantamount to joining the other side.


Re: Adam Ingram and the anti-war movement (#5)

by dontvotelabour on Sun Oct 29, 2006 at 09:15:16 AM GMT

Adam Ingram is an arrogant fool.  Most hated in Scotland and will stab his fellow countrymen in the back (aka the soldiers of the Scottish regiments and airmen).

His intolerance for differing opinions to his own is characterised by his disgraceful comments about opponents of Labour's illegal war in Iraq


Re: Adam Ingram and the anti-war movement (#6)

by HOWLERMONKEY on Sun Oct 29, 2006 at 11:56:19 AM GMT

What was it you were saynig about "Punch n Judy"?


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Re: Adam Ingram and the anti-war movement (#7)

by Glass House on Sun Oct 29, 2006 at 05:31:52 PM GMT

very true


[ Parent ]

Adam Ingram and the anti-war movement | 7 comments (7 topical)