THE proposed informal recall of Parliament being discussed by many MPs is a great first step towards re-establishing parliamentary democracy and reminding Tony Blair he was elected to serve and not to rule.

Parliamentary democracy was established in this country to save us from the whims of monarchs and to create a system whereby those in power were responsible to the will of the people.

Our forebears didn't struggle to curtail the unfettered power of monarchs simply to have that power passed on to a prime minister.

Poll after poll clearly shows the British people do not support a war with Iraq at this time so Parliament must act, formally or informally, to ensure Blair is obliged to listen.

To hear Blair threaten the UN fills me with shame.

As Gerhard Shroeder said, what the Middle East needed was peace, not more war.

Why is Iraq to be attacked for failing to comply with UN resolutions, when Israel has flouted UN resolutions for decades?

Unlike the potential threat that Iraq poses, Israel is actively attacking its neighbours. And what of the US which has singularly failed to allow inspection teams in to look at any of its biological, chemical and nuclear warfare plants?

The hypocrisy is sickening.

Christian Vassie,

Blake Court,

Wheldrake,

York.

...IT is easy to listen to Tony Blair and be carried away by his talk of a pre-emptive strike on Iraq.

I have been examining photographs of babies born to parents who live in Iraq and are exposed to depleted uranium (DU) dust used in shells during Desert Storm. Some have two heads, others gaping holes in their bodies and some are misshapen.

No paper would publish such photos, although with this talk of war I am beginning to think they should.

Uranium has a half life of hundreds of thousands of years.

It means the radioactive decay and toxicity of this ammunition will still be as intense after one hundred thousand years as it is now.

The use of DU is a war crime, and it will be the Christian Tony Blair's legacy to the eternal future if he starts this war.

Saddam's troops look likely to defend in the cities, which will mean DU dust in the town centres, and the ensuing consequences.

Like Tony Blair, I have strong religious views, but I shall be on the protest march against the war on Saturday, September 28. Tickets for the coach can be bought from 1pm to 3pm Saturdays at St Sampson's Square, York, or ticket hotline 07956 237 270.

Chris Clayton,

Hempland Drive, York.

Updated: 10:39 Thursday, September 12, 2002