FOR the first time in months other subjects than Iraq have started to dominate the news headlines.

It was only last month (March 18) that two of our three local MPs (David Crausby and Brian Iddon) bravely defied the Labour Government in voting against the war, and I feel their stance has been fully vindicated.

Since then, perhaps to everyone's surprise, Saddam Hussein's regime has collapsed and the loss of civilian and military lives, though substantial, tragic and unnecessary, has still been less than many feared.

We can all unite in welcoming the end of one of the world's most brutal regimes and be thankful that the conflict did not involve the use of chemical, biological or nuclear weapons.

Many urgent concerns still remain, however, including the desperate situation in most of the major cities, with looting and arson, lack of electricity, fresh water, food and medical supplies

There is increasing scepticism about whether Iraqi Weapons of Mass Destruction actually existed and I fear that the US taking over the search for such illegal weapons will mean any discoveries will not be believed.

We hope the Labour rebels will now urge the Government to press for a strong role for the UN in the future direction of Iraq, and in particular take the lead in reinstating law and order, restoring electricity and water supplies, food distribution, re-opening and re-equipping hospitals, supervising free elections, and pressing for disarmament and liquidation of all weapons of mass destruction throughout the world.

Ian McHugh

Gilnow Road

Bolton