Blair: Saddam 'has to be dealt with'

Prime Minister Tony Blair said today that Saddam Hussein was a threat that "has to be dealt with" and warned that containment of his weapons had worked "only up to a point".

Mr Blair told the TUC Congress in Blackpool that it would be "an act of gross irresponsibility" to allow the Iraqi dictator to use "the weapons he has or get the weapons he wants".

He said: "I believe it is right to deal with Saddam through the United Nations. After all, it is the will of the UN he is flouting.

"He, not me or George Bush, is in breach of UN resolutions. If the challenge to us is to work with the UN, we will respond to it.

"But if we do so, then the challenge to all in the UN is this: the UN must be the way to resolve the threat from Saddam, not avoid it.

"With the Taliban gone, Saddam is unrivalled as the world's worst regime: brutal, dictatorial, with a wretched human rights record.

"Given that history, I say to you: to allow him to use the weapons he has or get the weapons he wants would be an act of gross irresponsibility and we should not countenance it."

Tackling union concern about the way he and the US President were proceeding with the plans over Iraq, Mr Blair added: "Up to this point I believe many here in this hall would agree. The question is: how to proceed?

"I totally understand the concerns of people about precipitate military action. Military action should only ever be a last resort."

He added that on the four occasions he had authorised it there had been "no other option".

Mr Blair said it must be clear that Saddam had to be disarmed, adding: "Let it be clear that there can be no more conditions, no more games, no more prevaricating, no more undermining of the UN's authority.

"And let it be clear that should the will of the UN be ignored, action will follow."

The Prime Minister said diplomacy was "vital" but when dealing with Saddam that diplomacy had to be backed by the "certain knowledge in the dictator's mind that behind the diplomacy is the possibility of force being used".

Mr Blair went on: "Because I say to you in all earnestness: if we do not deal with the threat from this international outlaw and his barbaric regime, it may not erupt and engulf us this month or next, perhaps not even this year or the next. But it will at some point. And I do not want it on my conscience that we knew the threat, saw it coming and did nothing.

"I know this is not what some people want to hear. But I ask you only this: to listen to the case I will be developing over the coming weeks and reflect on it.

"And before there is any question of taking military action, I can categorically assure you that Parliament will be consulted and will have the fullest opportunity to debate the matter and express its view."

Turning to domestic issues, he said trade unions were always consulted and listened to, saying that his door was open to any union leader, adding jokingly: "There is no obligation, of course."

The Prime Minister urged unions to remember how "very different" things were a few years ago.

"You suffered 18 years of Conservative government in which union leaders couldn't get to discuss anything with the Prime Minister, 18 years of being kicked from pillar to post, 18 years of being ignored, derided and attacked as the enemy within.

"It would be ironic if, just at the moment, when trade unions are achieving a partnership, some of you might decide to turn your back on it."

Mr Blair said it had happened before, in 1948, 1969 and 1979, resulting in the "folding" of the Labour government and the return of the Tories.

"Not this time. It will just be less influence with the same Labour government."

The Prime Minister called for unions to work in partnership with the Government even though it did not make any headlines.

"The vast majority of trade union leaders and members know that it does far more good than a lot of self–indulgent rhetoric from a few that belongs in the history books."

Unions were told they had a simple choice between "indulgence or influence", although the Prime Minister acknowledged there would be difficult issues to tackle.

"There are low paid workers who deserve more, yet we know we have to be careful we don't just swallow up all the extra public service spending on pay.

"There are genuine issues around the desire for employees to have better protection and the need to keep the flexibility of our labour markets. It is in the nature of governments never to be able to satisfy all the demands made on them.

"But we also know that a Labour government making steady progress is infinitely better than a Conservative one taking us backwards."