David Cameron has called for a robust, independent inquiry into the Iraq War so we can learn from the mistakes that were made.
In a debate in the House of Commons, David urged Gordon Brown to “strike a realistic tone” about what has and has not been achieved in the six years since the war started.
He stressed that an independent inquiry was vital as there are some “tough lessons” to be learnt from the conflict, including the need for clear goals and a clear strategy from the offset. These lessons should inform future operations, including the work of British troops in Afghanistan:
"If we do not learn from the mistakes of the past, we are more likely to make them again in the future."
David attacked Gordon Brown’s argument that we should wait until all British troops are withdrawn from Iraq before holding an inquiry, as we could be waiting for years.
And he stressed the need to hold a frank and open inquiry because, above all, “it is one of the many things we owe to our brave Armed Forces.”