British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair faces a tough time at Labour's party conference today as opponents are set to confront him over Iraq.
After an impassioned debate at Labour's conference in Blackpool, delegates voted in favour of keeping open the option of committing British troops to war in Iraq if all diplomatic methods fail.
An anti-war motion, calling on Labour to back former South African President Nelson Mandela in opposing any use of force, was rejected by a margin of 60 per cent to 40 per cent.
Although delegates said any military action must take place "within the context of international law and with the authority of the United Nations",
Foreign Secretary Mr Jack Straw made clear that the British government did not regard this as tying it to a new Security Council resolution explicitly authorising war.
But an apparent difference of emphasis within the Labour cabinet emerged following the vote, as International Development Secretary Ms Clare Short stressed the importance of acting through the UN.
Asked if today's vote meant a new resolution would be needed for war, she said: "The whole position of the conference is action through the UN. That is the position we are adopting."
Watched by Mr Blair, Mr Straw told delegates he shared their concerns over military action and their hopes that the tension over Iraq would not end in war.
But he added, to loud applause: "The best chance we have of resolving this crisis peacefully is by the toughest possible stand which makes clear our readiness to use force if the international will continues to be defied. That is the truth."
By denying itself the threat of force, the international community would be letting Saddam "off the hook" and fundamentally undermining the authority of the UN, he said.
PA