Delegates lost a vote to debate Iraq

A succession of delegates at the event in Swansea argued for the conference to debate the issue, but lost a vote by three to one.

Party chiefs had warned conferences rules disbarred delegates from talking about any subject not devolved to the Welsh Assembly.

They gained their point, despite five separate attempts to force the issue.

Supporters of the stance, from the group Welsh Labour Against the War, handed out leaflets arguing the conference should put pressure on the Prime Minister.

The leaflet stated: "A war against Iraq would affect Wales, just as it would affect people all over the world.

Peter Hain: Voter apathy warning

"A war against Iraq would inevitably be seen as anti-Islamic and would therefore heighten racial and religious tensions between the various ethnic and faith communities in Wales.

"A war would also be likely to provoke retaliatory terrorist actions which would leave the people of Wales more vulnerable to attack."

Speaking from the podium, Swansea West delegate Derek Roberts said: "For the major party of Wales to not formally debate this issue will be a self-inflicted electoral wound on the party in Wales.

"That is the number one reason why it is competent business."

He was supported by Lyndon Moore from Blaenau Gwent, who stated: "There are Welsh personnel who are going to go out there and give their lives on that line and therefore it is responsible of this conference to bring it back to discuss it."

The group said the refusal was a bureaucratic obstruction to the right to a democratic debate.

However party leaders said members would get a chance to speak at a question and answer session with ministers on Thursday evening.

Transport and General Workers Union delegate Jim Hancock urged the conference to give its time to matters it did have the power to influence.

Worries

Dr John Reid, the Labour Party chairman and Minister without Portfolio, told the conference people were right to be worried about Iraq.

"I know there is widespread anxiety about the possible use of military force in Iraq.

"It couldn't, indeed it shouldn't, be otherwise. We wouldn't be in this Labour Party if we didn't concern ourselves about the potential loss of human life."

He said the government was committed to working through the United Nations.

'Apathy'

Earlier, Welsh Secretary Peter Hain warned party members they faced "a rising tide of apathy and disengagement" ahead of the assembly elections in May.

Mr Hain told conference party members they must sound alarm bells to prevent the party taking an "apathy sleep-walk into a political disaster".

The minister warned a rising tide of voter apathy and disengagement could eventually drown Labour.

He feared a low turn-out would help Labour's opponents.

"How many people tell you they aren't going to bother this time? That it's not worth it?" he said.

The Welsh Secretary also attacked Plaid Cymru, warning the benefits of Wales's links with England would be lost if they won power.

He argued there was a historic gap between what is spent and raised in tax in Wales.

"The truth is that richer English taxpayers are helping finance programmes to tackle much higher levels of Welsh ill-health and deprivation.

"And quite rightly so - redistribution in action, social justice in practice. Socialism being implemented," he said.