Lloyd Evans, The Spectator’s theatre critic, reviews last night’s Spectator / Intelligence Squared debate on the future of Iraq which featured Tony Benn, William Shawcross, Sir Christopher Meyer, Ali Allawi, Rory Stewart and Lt Peter Hegseth.
Full audio of the debate is available here.
The Future of Iraq
Speakers and motions
Proposition 1
Go. ‘Allied forces should leave Iraq as soon as is practical’
Rt Hon Tony Benn
Rory Stewart
Proposition 2
Quid pro Quo. ‘A withdrawal of troops as part of a negotiated settlement on the future of Iraq’
Sir Christopher Meyer
Dr Ali Allawi
Proposition 3
Stay. ‘The Surge is working. Let’s win before we leave.’
William Shawcross
Lt Peter Hegseth
Led Zep, eat your heart out. Iraq was the biggest pull this week. The final Intelligence Squared debate of the year was staged in Westminster Methodist Hall where more than three thousand punters thrust their way in to hear an all-star panel.
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