UK politicians send messages of 'solidarity' to Spain

UK political parties have strongly condemned yesterday's terrorist outrage in Madrid and sent messages of solidarity to the Spanish government.

Speaking at Labour's spring conference in Manchester, the party's chairman Ian McCartney said that the bombings were attack not only on the Spanish people, but against humanity as a whole.

He said: "In our sense of outrage, our outstretched hand of solidarity, is more poignant today, as we are in Manchester. A few years ago this city was the victim of one of the largest terrorist outrages on mainland Britain.

"Tragically, for decades, the people of our own country and the Spanish nation have had to live with the horror of terrorist outrages.

Mr McCartney added: "Their lives were stolen, and those of the survivors and their families. Their world is changed forever. And there is nothing they can do to put it together again.

"We owe to all the victims of terrorism – not only our anger, but to express in a genuine way one of the greatest traits gifted to human beings: the ability to love, to respect and to honour the sanctity of life.

"We must redouble our efforts. There can be no place at any time for such atrocities."

The Tory Party leadership condemned the bombing and have for a "united stand" against international terrorism.

Shadow Foreign Secretary Michael Ancram said: "Our hearts go out to the victims and their families, and to our colleagues in the Spanish government.

"This vicious act of terrorism is yet another attack on innocent people going about their daily lives, and it is yet another example of the calculated and coordinated ruthlessness of terrorism today."

Mr Ancram added: "The terrorists must not be allowed to win. The whole international community must join together in helping to eradicate terrorism wherever it occurs."

Conservative Leader Michael Howard has written to Spanish Premier Jose Maria Aznar to offer his support and condolences.

Charles Kennedy, leader of the Liberal Democrats, visited the Spanish Ambassador to Britain at the Spanish Embassy and offered his "profound condolences" in the aftermath of the "dreadful" attack.

He said: "All our thoughts are with the victims and the families of those killed in this savage and cowardly attack.

"We must all stand united against such terrible acts of terrorism."

Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader, Sir Menzies Campbell, described yesterday's events as a "grievous atrocity".

He added: "Our first thoughts must be for the victims and their families.

"We must avoid a rush to judgement simply because of the scale of the casualties. Painstaking analysis is required before blame can validly be attributed to any group or movement."

(gmcg)