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Clare Short resigns as Labour MP Clare Short resigns as Labour MP
(10 minutes later)
Clare Short has resigned as a Labour MP and will sit as an independent for the remainder of this parliament.Clare Short has resigned as a Labour MP and will sit as an independent for the remainder of this parliament.
The ex-Cabinet minister has already said she will quit as an MP at the next general election.The ex-Cabinet minister has already said she will quit as an MP at the next general election.
In a letter to Labour's chief whip she accuses Tony Blair of "half-truths and deceits to get us to war in Iraq".In a letter to Labour's chief whip she accuses Tony Blair of "half-truths and deceits to get us to war in Iraq".
Earlier this month the Birmingham Ladywood MP was formally reprimanded by Labour for saying she will campaign for a hung parliament. Earlier this month the Birmingham Ladywood MP was formally reprimanded by Labour for saying she would campaign for a hung parliament.
Labour Chief Whip Jacqui Smith said she had breached the Parliamentary Labour Party's code of conduct.Labour Chief Whip Jacqui Smith said she had breached the Parliamentary Labour Party's code of conduct.
I am sorry it has come to this Clare Short In full: Resignation letter I am sorry it has come to this Clare Short In full: Resignation letter href="/1/hi/uk_politics/a-z_of_parliament/t-z/81980.stm" class="">What is a party whip?
The former international development secretary escaped expulsion from the party over the remarks.The former international development secretary escaped expulsion from the party over the remarks.
'Public opinion'
But in a letter to Ms Smith resigning the whip, she repeats her claim that a hung parliament would be good for democracy.But in a letter to Ms Smith resigning the whip, she repeats her claim that a hung parliament would be good for democracy.
"It is my view that our political system is in trouble and that the exaggerated majorities in the House of Commons have led to an abject parliament and a concentration of power in Number 10 that has produced arrogant, error-prone government," writes Ms Short."It is my view that our political system is in trouble and that the exaggerated majorities in the House of Commons have led to an abject parliament and a concentration of power in Number 10 that has produced arrogant, error-prone government," writes Ms Short.
"Given that the next election might well produce a hung parliament, I want to be free to argue that this creates a valuable opportunity to reform our voting system so that the House of Commons more accurately reflects public opinion, and we have a parliament more able to hold the Government to account and to ensure that policy is well considered". "Given that the next election might well produce a hung parliament, I want to be free to argue that this creates a valuable opportunity to reform our voting system so that the House of Commons more accurately reflects public opinion, and we have a parliament more able to hold the government to account and to ensure that policy is well considered".
Ms Short, 60, also accuses Labour's previous chief whip, social exclusion minister Hilary Armstrong, of using her authority "to stop me discussing the fact that the prime minister engaged in a series of half-truths and deceits to get us to war in Iraq".Ms Short, 60, also accuses Labour's previous chief whip, social exclusion minister Hilary Armstrong, of using her authority "to stop me discussing the fact that the prime minister engaged in a series of half-truths and deceits to get us to war in Iraq".
Ms Short will continue to be a member of the Labour Party but will no longer vote with Labour MPs.Ms Short will continue to be a member of the Labour Party but will no longer vote with Labour MPs.
Previous resignationsPrevious resignations
Lord Chancellor Lord Falconer said: "Clare had been pressing for a hung parliament in comments she had made recently, which appeared to be saying that she would hope that some members of the Parliamentary Labour Party would lose their seats.Lord Chancellor Lord Falconer said: "Clare had been pressing for a hung parliament in comments she had made recently, which appeared to be saying that she would hope that some members of the Parliamentary Labour Party would lose their seats.
"And I can see that she might take the view that if one's got to a point where one's pressing for people to lose their seats, that would be inconsistent with continuing to take the Labour whip.""And I can see that she might take the view that if one's got to a point where one's pressing for people to lose their seats, that would be inconsistent with continuing to take the Labour whip."
Chancellor Gordon Brown refused to comment but added: "It has been known for some time she wasn't voting with the Labour whip."Chancellor Gordon Brown refused to comment but added: "It has been known for some time she wasn't voting with the Labour whip."
Clare Short has been a vocal critic of Mr Blair's foreign policy and leadership style since quitting as international development secretary in 2003.Clare Short has been a vocal critic of Mr Blair's foreign policy and leadership style since quitting as international development secretary in 2003.
She has resigned from Labour's front bench on three occasions - twice over the Gulf Wars and once over prevention of terrorism laws.She has resigned from Labour's front bench on three occasions - twice over the Gulf Wars and once over prevention of terrorism laws.
Her 2003 resignation was seen as damaging her standing with Labour's left.Her 2003 resignation was seen as damaging her standing with Labour's left.
Rather than quitting before the conflict, like Cabinet colleague Robin Cook, she publicly agonised over its rights and wrongs.Rather than quitting before the conflict, like Cabinet colleague Robin Cook, she publicly agonised over its rights and wrongs.
She only left her post as the international development secretary once the main hostilities ended.She only left her post as the international development secretary once the main hostilities ended.