Iraq troops: PM's surprise statement
Updated on 02 October 2007
1000 troops to return by Christmas: Gordon Brown's announcement catches many off-guard - and of the 1000, many are already back.
Five hundred more British soldiers back from Iraq by the end of the year.
It was a sudden announcement by Gordon Brown that took even the Ministry of Defence by surprise.
'Cynical electioneering'?
Mr Brown, on his first visit to Iraq as Prime Minister, said a total of a 1,000 troops should be home by Christmas - but that includes 500 who were already known to be pulling out.
But there was no word on how long the remaining 4,500-strong force would stay.
The Conservatives accused him of 'cynical electioneering' as speculation mounts over a snap November poll.
Stealing thunder?
So was this a prime-ministerial trip to evaluate troop withdrawal in Iraq or a blatant attempt at stealing the Tories' thunder?
His visit to the heavily fortified green zone had included a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, where Mr Brown had urged for a renewed effort by Iraq's political parties to work together on rebuilding their country.
Although it is a sentiment the Tories would back wholeheartedly, the timing of his trip to Baghdad went down like a lead balloon in Blackpool.
On the conference floor, Tory heavyweights tried to make political capital:
"And, you Prime Minister, in your self-indulgent plagiarised, 67 minute opus last week... how much did you dedicate to Iraq, Afghanistan and our Armed Forces? 126 words. 126 words. One word for every two service men and women killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. I hope you remember that when you are having your photo opportunities in Iraq today." Liam Fox, Shadow Defence Secretary.
Could Brown's move backfire?
But on the breakfast sofa this morning, their leader shied away from making Iraq a potential election issue.
Is news of British forces coming home in time for Christmas aimed more at winning back disaffected Labour voters and Labour MPs opposed to the war? If so, the manner in which it was announced might well backfire.
Mr Brown's government had promised a departure from the Blair years by telling parliament first about changes in policy before announcing them to the media.
