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SNP move to force Iraq troop vote Queen's speech 'to benefit Scots'
(about 6 hours later)
The SNP are hoping to use the Queen's Speech - which details the government's legislative agenda - to force a key vote on troop withdrawal in Iraq. Seven bills outlined in the Queen's Speech may be extended to cover Scotland under plans being considered by the Scottish Executive.
Party leader Alex Salmond wants to amend a motion on the speech and bring about a debate on the Iraq situation. The secretary of state for Scotland said the programme contained "many measures" that would benefit Scotland.
Mr Salmond said he hoped to force the UK Government to reveal its "exit strategy" from the war-torn country. Legislation that may be applied north of the border using Sewel motions include climate change, organised crime and child support.
The Queen's Speech took place on Wednesday morning amid pomp and ceremony in parliament. However, opposition parties criticised Tony Blair's plans for lacking vision.
The SNP said there was an 83-year-old precedent for the move as the Liberal Party proved with a similar motion in 1923. The Conservatives said they were a rehash of old promises and the SNP said there was no fresh thinking.
Those who are responsible for this blood-soaked quagmire now have the duty to tell us how they propose to remove our soldiers from this morass Alex SalmondSNP leader Liberal Democrat Scottish affairs spokeswoman, Jo Swinson MP, criticised the government for "going for quantity rather than quality of legislation".
Speaking to BBC Radio Good Morning Scotland programme, Mr Salmond said he hoped to secure enough support for the move to bring about a debate on the issue. The Queen's Speech is a tangible demonstration of the Union at work Douglas Alexander MPSecretary of state for Scotland
SNP leader Alex Salmond said his party still intended to table an amendment demanding that the government present an exit strategy for the British involvement in Iraq.
He said there was an 83-year-old precedent for the move as the Liberal Party proved with a similar motion in 1923.
Former chancellor Ken Clarke, former government minister Claire Short and Labour's John McDonnell have all signed the amendment, which also has the support of Plaid Cymru.Former chancellor Ken Clarke, former government minister Claire Short and Labour's John McDonnell have all signed the amendment, which also has the support of Plaid Cymru.
The extra backing increases the chances of it being selected and voted upon in the climax to the Queen's Speech debate.The extra backing increases the chances of it being selected and voted upon in the climax to the Queen's Speech debate.
Mr Salmond said: "Those who are responsible for this blood-soaked quagmire now have the duty to tell us how they propose to remove our soldiers from this morass. Mr Salmond said: "Instead of London Labour's war it's time Scotland had the chance to choose peace."
'Hold it to account' 'Chip papers'
"If we gather support for the next couple of weeks, obviously that increases the chances of it being called to a vote." Secretary of State for Scotland Douglas Alexander MP said the Queen's Speech was a tangible demonstration of the Union at work .
The Liberal Party tabled an amendment to the King's Speech in 1923, demanding withdrawal from Mesopotamia, now called Iraq. He said: "The government is committed to maintaining these close working relationships as they continue to deliver improvements to the lives of people across Scotland and the rest of the UK."
Westminster eventually demanded a withdrawal and the SNP is hoping to achieve a similar feat this week. However, Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland David Mundell MP said he suspected much of what was in the speech would be "tomorrow's chip papers".
Mr Salmond added: "It is the job of opposition parties to try and pressurise and force the government and hold it to account and that is what we are doing. News of a climate change bill is welcome, but it looks like the government is shying away from annual targets Jo Swinson MPLib Dems
"What everyone in this country wants to know is how exactly are those who got us into this disaster attempting to get us out of it." The MP for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale welcomed reform of the Child Support Agency but added: "The government has had nine years to do something but has just allowed the situation to get worse."
The Conservatives and Lib Dems both welcomed the proposed legislation on climate change, which will set long-term targets for reducing emissions, and introduce new monitoring and reporting methods.
However, Ms Swinson warned: "News of a climate change bill is welcome, but it looks like the government is shying away from annual targets. This would make it impossible to measure progress."
Mr Mundell also called for independent targets and claimed that Conservative leader David Cameron had forced the issue of climate change to the top of the political agenda.
Environmental campaigners, including Scottish Renewables and WWF Scotland, also welcomed the bill.
Friends of the Earth Scotland, which led the Big Ask campaign on climate change, said it was a "crucial first step" in ensuring the UK played its part in keeping temperatures below danger levels.
The Queen's Speech took place on Wednesday morning amid pomp and ceremony in parliament.