Former UK Cabinet Minister quits Labour over Iraq

20 October 2006 19:50:59 GMT
Short quits 'arrogant' Labour

Former cabinet minister Clare Short has announced her resignation from the Labour party, citing problems in the political system and Labour's arrogance.

Today's decision from the outspoken Birmingham Ladywood MP marks the culmination of three years of rebellion against Tony Blair's leadership and foreign policy since the Iraq war.

Ms Short resigned from her post as international development secretary in the immediate aftermath of the US-led war, following her late ex-cabinet colleague Robin Cook's example.

She today accused Tony Blair of spinning a "series of half-truths and deceits to get us to war in Iraq".

The MP, who has already said she will stand down at the next election, said she will serve the remainder of her term as an independent.

She explained she will continue to campaign for electoral reform that would lead to a hung parliament, claiming that Labour's two sizeable majorities had produced an "arrogant, error-prone government".

"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," she said in her resignation letter to chief whip Jacqui Smith.

"I am sorry it has come to this, but after a lifetime of service to the Labour party and 23 years in the House of Commons I think I am entitled to discuss what has gone wrong with the government and our political system in my remaining years as an MP," the letter added.

Most recently Ms Short clashed with the government over foundation hospitals, anti-terror legislation and ID cards, saying she was "profoundly ashamed" with the party's direction.