AS the Iraq crisis deepens, Tony Blair was asked during Prime Minister's Questions about the deaths of untold numbers of innocent adults and children caused by US attacks.

He "regretted" civilian deaths but, yet again, backed the US actions. Tony Blair shows no sign of changing tack, even as the toll of death, misery and destruction mounts and even as an unprecedented joint letter is published from former UK Middle East diplomats, savaging his backing for the foreign policies of President Bush.

The "defence" that some Labour MPs mount for Blair is that he is a moderating influence on President Bush.

As the US military rampage around a country they invaded, perpetuating a war they started, it is difficult to see how Blair's backing for the US has done anything other than encourage this madness.

Now, as things get worse, those MPs are strangely quiet. Is this ominous silence from Labour politicians anything to do with their fear that they're about to get a drubbing in the local and European elections because of their party's pro-war policy?

The Lib-Dems are being pretty quiet too. The only party that consistently opposed the war last year, and still opposes the war this year, is the Green Party.

Electing more Green MEPs on June 10 will not only send a vital message to Tony Blair, it will boost the chances for peace across the Middle East.

CHRIS LENNARD,

Green Party European Parliamentary,

Candidate, West Midlands Region.