Duncan Smith: No time for party political interests

But in giving support, Mr Duncan Smith - a former Scots Guardsman - said he would still reserve the right to criticise Mr Blair's conduct during any war.

In an emergency address at his party's Spring Forum in Harrogate on Saturday, the Tory leader pledged not to partake in "political games".

But he said, although dealing with Saddam Hussein was in the interests of the British people, he would not be giving Mr Blair "a blank cheque" with which to govern.

I believe, notwithstanding our other concerns, it is in the British interest for us to support him if he does what is right for Britain Iain Duncan Smith

The party's annual Spring Forum has been overshadowed by the discussion of a likely war with Iraq.

But Mr Duncan Smith told members he believed that international peace and security must take precedence over party political interests.

'No blank cheque'

He was harshly critical of Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy, who he said had "twisted and turned" on the Iraq issue in response to public opinion.

He acknowledged that his own party faced a "dilemma" over whether to back a Government they believed to be failing the country over issues like public services and tax.

But he added: "When the Prime Minister does something that is right, when he does something that I believe will benefit the British people and help bring peace to this part of the region, I believe, notwithstanding our other concerns, it is in the British interest for us to support him if he does what is right for Britain."

He drew applause when he said his concern for the people of Britain mattered more than the "short-term" interests of any single political party.

But he stressed: "It is not giving him a blank cheque, it is not saying 'Do as you will'.

'Monster' Saddam

"It is saying 'Do the right thing and if you do the right thing, then we will do the right thing by you and give you that support'."

This was a moment for the party to "put the British people first" and to "do the right thing", he said. The right thing is to put the British people first and the peace and security of the world alongside them."

He went on the say it would be wrong to think that Britain could turn its backs on the troubles of the oppressed people of Iraq at the hands of the "monster" Saddam.

"This is not a far and distant country. This world is too small for us to turn our backs on people who may suffer or people who may cause that suffering," he said.

Ms May tried to inspire the party

Liberal Democrats have accused Mr Duncan Smith of abdicating the duties of opposition by "blindly following" Mr Blair's lead on Iraq.

Parliamentary party chairman Mark Oaten said: "Iain Duncan Smith claims to be putting the interests of the British people first.

"He is not, and a majority of the British people don't agree with him."

Former chancellor Ken Clarke has been foremost among Tory MPs who have questioned what they see as an unnecessary and unjustified rush to war.

Unity call

The conference, which closes on Sunday, will also see Tory chiefs attempt to draw a line under recent infighting over Mr Duncan Smith's leadership.

The Yorkshire conference is the party's second most important annual event and is intended to inspire campaigning for the 1 May local, Scottish and Welsh elections.

Party chairman Theresa May used her opening address to call on Tories to present themselves as "21st-century Conservatives" and become a "credible alternative" to the Labour government.

The May contests are seen as a make-or-break election for Mr Duncan Smith, with discontent among MPs and party members suggesting he could face a leadership challenge soon after polling day.

In a keynote speech which will close the conference on Sunday, Mr Duncan Smith is expected to attack Labour's record on public service delivery and tax, including the above-inflation council tax rises.