Prime Minister Tony Blair faced a revolt by lawmakers Wednesday over a U.S. request to re-deploy some British troops closer to Baghdad. Forty-five lawmakers, including many members of the governing Labour Party, have signed a motion insisting the House of Commons should be allowed to vote on whether the request is granted. Many are suspicious the request is politically motivated and designed to bolster U.S. President George W. Bush before presidential elections Nov. 2. "We are about to enter a period of increased activity in Iraq. This is nothing to do with the American elections," Blair told the House of Commons. "It has everything to do with the Iraqi elections in January."
