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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 PM used the armed forces as a "political football," and 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 said UK forces in Iraq are to be cut by 1,000 by 2008 - ministers say they "greatly value" the armed forces.
The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that figure includes the withdrawal of 500 troops that was announced in July. The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that the 1,000 figure includes the withdrawal of 500 troops that was announced in July - 270 of whom are already home.
Election speculationElection speculation
Mr Brown also said 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.Mr Brown also said 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.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.
Many people will see this as cynical politics, playing political football with our armed forces Liam Fox Many people will see this as cynical politics, playing political football with our armed forces Liam Fox class="" href="/1/hi/uk/7023366.stm">UK troops in Basra cut
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, 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.
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.
'An insult' 'Greatly value'
"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."
Let's be clear this is not the story Gordon Brown wanted to tell BBC political editor Nick Robinson Read Nick's thoughts in full Let's be clear this is not the story Gordon Brown wanted to tell BBC political editor Nick Robinson Read Nick's thoughts in full
A Downing Street spokeswoman denied that charge, saying that the subject had been raised during Mr Brown's talks with Mr Maliki. However armed forces minister Bob Ainsworth said the government "greatly valued" the armed forces.
"That is why we have introduced a tax free operational bonus worth £2,320 and more recently a 25% rebate on the average council tax bill for those serving on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan," he said.
He added that the government was spending £5bn on improving service accommodation.
Inquests backlog
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".
He criticised the condition of family quarters, the backlog in the government's compensation scheme and inquests "leaving families in anguish and torment". He criticised the condition of family quarters, the backlog in the government's compensation scheme and in inquests "leaving families in anguish and torment".
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 criticised the fact that Defence Secretary Des Browne was also Secretary of State for Scotland and said in his 67 minute speech, the prime minister had dedicated just 126 words to Iraq and Afghanistan. Liam Fox offers tough rhetoric on the state of our armed forces but little substance Nick HarveyLib Dems
'Threats' On 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.
"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." He said the first duty of government was "defence of the realm" and Britain had to take on al-Qaeda and the Taleban in Iraq and Afghanistan.
He said the first duty of government was "defence of the realm" and Britain had to take on al-Qaeda and the Taliban in Iraq and Afghanistan. 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." He also 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. But Liberal Democrat defence spokesman, Nick Harvey, said: "Liam Fox offers tough rhetoric on the state of our armed forces but little substance.
"The Tories spent their last period in office closing down military hospitals and selling off forces' housing at bargain prices. Now they promise to deliver a bigger army but have no idea how to pay for it."