Initial results of a comprehensive survey indicate that a majority of Westminster MP’s would not be in favour of any form of military intervention against Iran without the explicit authority of the United Nations. The survey results, published today ahead of expiry on Wednesday of the deadline for Iran’s compliance with UN resolution 1737, shows broad cross-party consensus against any logistical or material involvement by British military forces in an American led attack on Iran.

The survey carried out over a two month period by the Westminster Committee on Iran together with the No Confidence Campaign attempted to establish where every Member of Parliament stood on the question of a possible of pre-emptive war on Iran without the explicit support of the United Nations. The question put to MP’s was:

“In the event of the UN Security Council failing to endorse a resolution sanctioning an attack on Iran, would you, in principle, support military action against Iran?”

Stefan Simanowitz, Chair of Westminster Committee on Iran said today:
“On Wednesday 21st February, the deadline for Iran’s compliance with the UN’s resolution 1737 will expire. It is likely, once there has been an appropriate period of discussion, with Russia and China insisting that the resolution gives no authority for military action, that President Bush will order a strike on Iran ‘in support of the authority of the UN’. This was the pretext used for the invasion of Iran in 2003.

In such circumstances, we fear that Tony Blair would support President Bush either through the use of British bases, airspace and equipment or by sanctioning the involvement of British military forces. Last week the Democrats in America told President Bush that he did not have the authority to sanction an attack on Iran without. The findings of this survey, with over 70% of MP’s from all parties opposing an attack on Iran, show that Tony Blair would not have the support of the House to authorise such action. Any material or logistical support for an American-led pre-emptive attack on Iran would trigger Members of Parliament to pass a motion of censure against Her Majesty's Government. A successful a vote of no confidence would necessitate immediate resignation of Tony Blair and his administration.”


For more information:
Contact: 07799650791 or visit  http://www.westminsitercommitteeoniran.co.uk/
or  http://www.noconfidence.blogspot.com/
See also  http://www.campaigniran.org/ ,  http://www.stw.co.uk/ ,  http://www.oxfordresearchgroup.org.uk/

Explanatory note:
This press release is based on preliminary survey results of 472 MP’s of whom 338 oppose military intervention without UN backing. The official survey results are due to be published in the near future once every MP’s response has been collated. Every effort has been made to contact MP's directly in order to establish their position on this crucial matter. Whilst many MP’s were happy to state their position, some were reluctant to do so. Many have a policy of not responding to surveys and therefore a variety of different methods were used to ascertain positions of MP’s on this matter. As well as researching all statements made in public and in the House, researchers posed as constituents on the phone and in person in order to find out where MP’s stood.