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Brown Iraq trip 'cynical stunt' Brown Iraq trip 'cynical stunt'
(about 1 hour later)
Gordon Brown has been accused of "cynical pre-election politics" over his visit to British forces in Iraq.Gordon Brown has been accused of "cynical pre-election politics" over his visit to British forces in Iraq.
Shadow defence secretary Liam Fox said Mr Brown preferred a photo opportunity in Basra to keeping his promise to tell MPs first about planned troop cuts.Shadow defence secretary Liam Fox said Mr Brown preferred a photo opportunity in Basra to keeping his promise to tell MPs first about planned troop cuts.
He said the prime minister was using the armed forces as a "political football," adding that it left "a bad taste in most people's mouths".He said the prime minister was using the armed forces as a "political football," adding that it left "a bad taste in most people's mouths".
Mr Brown has said UK forces in Iraq are to be cut by 1,000 by the end of 2007.Mr Brown has said UK forces in Iraq are to be cut by 1,000 by the end of 2007.
He also confirmed Basra province could be handed over to full Iraqi control in the next two months. Britain currently has about 5,500 troops stationed at Basra Airport.He also confirmed Basra province could be handed over to full Iraqi control in the next two months. Britain currently has about 5,500 troops stationed at Basra Airport.
Arriving in Iraq for his first visit since becoming prime minister, Mr Brown praised the "great courage, professionalism and bravery" of Britain's armed forces. Let's be clear this is not the story Gordon Brown wanted to tell BBC political editor Nick Robinson class="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/nickrobinson/2007/10/broken_promise.html">Read Nick's thoughts in full Arriving in Iraq for his first visit since becoming prime minister, Mr Brown praised the "great courage, professionalism and bravery" of Britain's armed forces.
He met Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki for talks and was due to meet the US commander in Iraq, David Petraeus.He met Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki for talks and was due to meet the US commander in Iraq, David Petraeus.
The visit comes amid mounting speculation that Mr Brown is preparing to call a general election.The visit comes amid mounting speculation that Mr Brown is preparing to call a general election.
'Cynical''Cynical'
Speaking on BBC News 24, Liam Fox said MPs had been led to expect a statement on the withdrawal of troops from Basra in the House of Commons on Monday.Speaking on BBC News 24, Liam Fox said MPs had been led to expect a statement on the withdrawal of troops from Basra in the House of Commons on Monday.
"It now seems that the photo-opportunity has just been too great for Gordon Brown."It now seems that the photo-opportunity has just been too great for Gordon Brown.
"And many people will see this as cynical politics, playing political football with our armed forces."And many people will see this as cynical politics, playing political football with our armed forces.
"And a lot of people, given Gordon Brown's lack of interest previously, will find this pretty cynical and unacceptable.""And a lot of people, given Gordon Brown's lack of interest previously, will find this pretty cynical and unacceptable."
A Downing Street spokeswoman denied that charge, saying that the subject had been raised during Mr Brown's talks with Mr Maliki.A Downing Street spokeswoman denied that charge, saying that the subject had been raised during Mr Brown's talks with Mr Maliki.
Earlier, in a speech to the Conservative conference in Blackpool, Mr Fox attacked Labour's treatment of the armed forces, saying its policies were "an insult to our fighting men and women".Earlier, in a speech to the Conservative conference in Blackpool, Mr Fox attacked Labour's treatment of the armed forces, saying its policies were "an insult to our fighting men and women".
Council tax 'con'Council tax 'con'
He pointed in particular to the condition of family quarters, the rising backlog in the government's compensation scheme and a backlog of inquests "leaving families in anguish and torment because the government can't be bothered to sort it out?".He pointed in particular to the condition of family quarters, the rising backlog in the government's compensation scheme and a backlog of inquests "leaving families in anguish and torment because the government can't be bothered to sort it out?".
He also criticised Labour's £140 council tax rebate "con" for personnel doing six month tours in Iraq and Afghanistan saying "those serving six month prison sentences pay none at all".He also criticised Labour's £140 council tax rebate "con" for personnel doing six month tours in Iraq and Afghanistan saying "those serving six month prison sentences pay none at all".
The shadow defence secretary said: "So what has Gordon Brown's personal contribution been?The shadow defence secretary said: "So what has Gordon Brown's personal contribution been?
"He has given us a part-time Defence Secretary whose attentions are focussed on fighting the SNP and the Taliban. A jobshare Defence Secretary when our troops are at war in two places. What an insult to our fighting men and women."He has given us a part-time Defence Secretary whose attentions are focussed on fighting the SNP and the Taliban. A jobshare Defence Secretary when our troops are at war in two places. What an insult to our fighting men and women.
"And, you Prime Minister, in your self-indulgent plagiarised, 67 minute speech how much did you dedicate to Iraq, Afghanistan and our Armed Forces? 126 words. 126 words. One word for every two service men or women killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. I hope you remember that when you are having your photo opportunities in Iraq today.""And, you Prime Minister, in your self-indulgent plagiarised, 67 minute speech how much did you dedicate to Iraq, Afghanistan and our Armed Forces? 126 words. 126 words. One word for every two service men or women killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. I hope you remember that when you are having your photo opportunities in Iraq today."
'Threats''Threats'
Turning to Iraq, he said everyone wanted to see British troops come home, but only because the job was done not because of overstretch.Turning to Iraq, he said everyone wanted to see British troops come home, but only because the job was done not because of overstretch.
"In the real world the only logical conclusion you can come to is that the army is already too small," he argued."In the real world the only logical conclusion you can come to is that the army is already too small," he argued.
"Let me tell you that the Conservative Party will ensure that whenever the election comes the need for a bigger army, returning to proper, planned, establishment levels will be a key battleground.""Let me tell you that the Conservative Party will ensure that whenever the election comes the need for a bigger army, returning to proper, planned, establishment levels will be a key battleground."
Mr Fox continued "We cannot avoid these threats. If we don't take on al Qaeda and the Taliban in Iraq and Afghanistan then we will face them in London, New York or wherever.Mr Fox continued "We cannot avoid these threats. If we don't take on al Qaeda and the Taliban in Iraq and Afghanistan then we will face them in London, New York or wherever.
"We must remind people that the first duty of Government is the defence of the realm.""We must remind people that the first duty of Government is the defence of the realm."
Conservatives would restore the three infantry battalions cut by Labour, he said, adding: "A bigger army for a safer Britain."Conservatives would restore the three infantry battalions cut by Labour, he said, adding: "A bigger army for a safer Britain."
In other commitments, Dr Fox pledged exclusively military wards for those injured in combat and better psychiatric services for veterans.In other commitments, Dr Fox pledged exclusively military wards for those injured in combat and better psychiatric services for veterans.