Government avoids censure over Iraq policy but defiant rebels fire broadside

Labour leaders endured sustained and stinging criticism of Tony Blair's handling of the Iraq crisis yesterday, but avoided a party censure of the Government's policy.

A statement on Iraq by Labour's ruling National Executive Committee was rapidly withdrawn as the prospect grew that it would be thrown out by delegates.

A rebel motion opposing any military intervention in Iraq was defeated by 59.8 per cent to 40.2 per cent after a stormy debate in Blackpool which saw conference organisers accused of favouritism in their selection of speakers.

Jack Straw, the Foreign Secretary, put a brave face on such a large proportion of the conference defying the Government on the biggest foreign issue of the day.

He said: "The Labour Party, because of its internationalist commitment, has always been nervous of military action. That's right, that's good, we shouldn't be gung-ho and cavalier about it."

Mr Straw told the conference: "We cannot allow the UN to become another talking shop whose principles are ignored and dismissed.

"The best chance we have of resolving this crisis peacefully is by the toughest possible stand, which makes clear our readiness to use force if the international will continues to be defied."

The defeated conference motion argued that military intervention would increase the suffering of the Iraqi people and worsen instability in the Middle East. It urged delegates to "support the call from Nelson Mandela and not to follow President Bush into a war".

Party leaders took comfort from the fact that only 32 per cent of constituency delegates supported the motion, with 48 per cent of unions backing it.

Earlier, delegates had backed a motion supporting the Government and military action "within the context of international law" by a show of hands. Members also supported calls for "urgent action" to help solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on a show of hands.

Geoff Hoon, the Defence Secretary, delivered a passionate defence of the Government's approach on Iraq, which leaves open the option of joining attacks without UN approval as a last resort.

Mr Hoon promised that ministers would show the same patience they demonstrated after 11 September, when they led efforts to build an international coalition to remove al-Qa'ida and the Taliban from Afghanistan.

"Similar challenges confront us again today as we consider the threat from Iraq. Once again we are being patient. Through the United Nations an international coalition is being built.

"Together, the international community will issue an ultimatum to Saddam Hussein to destroy his weapons of mass destruction."

But Clare Short, the Secretary of State for International Development, who has made little secret of her worries about the apparent slide to war, said: "We are meeting at a time when we are all acutely aware of the fragility of our world.

"The most immediate danger is, of course, Iraq. We can all hear the drumbeat of war. No one should welcome it."

Moving the rebel motion opposing action under any circumstances, Cristobel Guerney, from Regent's Park and Kensington North, said: "There is no case for war, but there is an alternative and that alternative is to send the weapons inspectors back. The Iraqi people have suffered from war and sanctions – they have suffered enough."

She insisted that President Saddam Hussein knew that he would face "overwhelming retaliation" if he attacked the West and argued that all Iraq's neighbours were opposed to armed intervention.

Eileen Sinclair, of Cunninghame South, said military action would result in the US "bombing anything and everything" it believed was military-related. She said she was now "ashamed" of Britain's foreign policy, adding: "The Iraqi people themselves with the pressure of the world behind them must depose Saddam Hussein – not us with bombs."

However Brian Seymour-Smith, of Birmingham Northfield, called on delegates to support the Government to do "whatever is necessary" to rid Iraq of weapons of mass destruction. "We must show we are a party of realism and courage," he said.

Mr Seymour-Smith added: "Every minute, every hour and every day Saddam Hussein grows stronger. Sanctions are clearly not working and containment is being flouted. It is time to act through the UN."

Shahid Malik, for the NEC, said: "We are committed to working through the UN to uphold the fundamental principles of international law.

"We seek disarmament, not regime change. We seek collectivism, not isolation. We seek justice, not oppression. We seek peace, not war."

Andrew Mackinlay, Thurrock's MP, said the Prime Minister's stewardship of the crisis had been correct. "I don't see him as Bush's poodle," he said. "I say thank God he has got the ear of the President of the US. He is the one person that can counsel prudence and caution and I believe he is doing it."

But Alice Mahon, the MP for Halifax, said; "President Bush is determined to go to war. I believe it's a disgrace our Government is the only one in the Western world that is prepared to back that."

To applause, she added: "This isn't going to be a war about weapons of mass destruction. It will be the first war about oil, waged by the world's biggest oil consumer."