Brendan Ryan (Labour)

Leaving aside whatever differences we have on the war in Iraq, I call upon all Members of the House to appeal to the media not to turn war coverage into a glorious game of "Star Wars". We must keep emphasising in the debate on Iraq that it is people who are at the receiving end. The war is not just about images. I wish to state this now rather than in the heat of debate. Whatever anybody thinks about the rights or wrongs of the war or various Government positions on it, we must point out that this war is not a television spectacle for our benefit. I do not want po-faced people wearing black all the time but it is part of the job of politicians to keep the reality of war alive.