Kennedy introduces amendment to Queen's Speech on role of Prime Minister in matters of 'war and peace'

4.04.06pm GMT Wed 24th Nov 2004

Lib Dems march against the Iraq War

Breaking with tradition, during his response in the debate on the Queen's Speech, Charles Kennedy, leader of the Liberal Democrats, set out the terms of an Amendment relating to the role of the Prime Minister.

Mr Kennedy said that the Amendment had arisen because of the remarkable series of Parliamentary occasions since the last Queen's Speech, including the Hutton and Butler reports, and controversy over events leading up to the Iraq war.

The text of the Amendment reads:

'…but regrets that the Gracious Speech contains no commitment to introduce legislation to clarify the responsibility of the Prime Minister to Parliament, particularly in relation to the prerogative powers and the role of Parliament in matters of war and peace, and calls for a special Select Committee of the House to consider these matters.'

Introducing the Amendment, Mr Kennedy said:

"It is a genuine opportunity to invite cross-party support for the amendment next week on the role of the Prime Minister in his relationship to the House of Commons arising from Iraq."