[Posted from the press gallery in the House of Commons]
NDP Leader Jack Layton has just finished speaking. He asked the PM to commit to a vote before committing forces beyond their current commitment.
“Those who portray the request for a vote as a lack of support for our valiant and committed defence personnel are attempting to portray democratic debate on foreign policy as a choice between cheerleading or abandoning our soldiers. Such a characterization does not honour our troops. Surely wise foreign policy involves far more.”
The entire NDP caucus is in the House for the speech.
O'Connor accuses Layton of leading a party that never wants our troops anywhere, even going back to WW II. Layton says his dad quit the Quebec cabinet because the government he was a member of would not go to war against the Nazis.