British DUers (or other experts): How many Labor MP's oppose the Iraq War?

[bluestateguy]

Assuming the Liberal Democrats and all the other minor parties are anti-war and that virtually all the Tories supported the war, how many Labor MP's oppose the Iraq War? How big is the anti-war coalition in Parliament?

[louis c]

1. I heard today from some source

that I can't remember that the figure is about 50.

[Taxloss]

2. I depends how you define "oppose".

A squirmy answer, but a limited number voted against it when there was a vote, but many more have come to think it was wrong (no WMDs, etc, etc, etc), so a lot have "converted" since the vote. Also, it's very hard to tell as many are prepared to disclaim it face to face but would not vote against a party line on it thanks to tribal loyalty and the way some parliamentary votes work. I'd estimate 100, if they were given a free vote - but that's not going to happen.

In the event of a stalking horse, though ... then we'd see, that would bring them out. At the moment, it's too hard to tell.

Also, it's worth pointing out that some Tories disapproved of the war and quite a few Lib Dems supported it, but soon shut up when they realised it was unpopular.

[pk_du]

3. This survey of 100 labour MPs in Sept 2002 says 90% against!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/2240420.stm

[muriel_volestrangler]

4. Votes against Iraq

26th Feb 2003: Labour 121; Lib Dem 52; Con 13; others 12
http://politics.guardian.co.uk/foreignaffairs/story/0,11538,903844,00.html anti-war amendment ("case for military action not yet made")

against the pro-government motion, 26th Feb:
Labour 60, Lib Dem 52, Con 1, others 13
http://publicwhip.org.uk/division.php?date=2003-03-18&number=118

In the big debate on Iraq, 18th March:
for the anti-war amendment: Labour 139; Lib Dem 53; Con 16; others 11
http://publicwhip.org.uk/division.php?date=2003-03-18&number=117

Voting against the government motion, 18th March:
Labour 85; Lib Dem 52; Con 3; others 11
http://publicwhip.org.uk/division.php?date=2003-03-18&number=118

You can argue whether a true rebel would have had to vote against the government on every vote, or only the first vote of the day, knowing that the 2nd was bound to be lost if the first was. So the Labour rebels were between 60 and 139, depending on your definition.