INSPIRATIONAL ? that was the verdict by West Devon and Torridge MP John Burnett, following his trip to Iraq last week. Mr Burnett was asked by the Foreign Office to act as an observer on behalf of the Liberal Democrats during the war-torn country?s elections. Mr Burnett, who voted against the Iraq war two years ago, said despite his stance on the conflict, one message came across clearly from the Iraqi people during his stay in the country. ?The thing they kept saying was, ?Please, please, tell the prime minister that we need your security; you must stay with it, so we can embed our democracy and build our economy ? we desperately need the British to stay?. ?I was obviously opposed to the war, but that?s past now, parliament spoke and now we have to be there.? During his stay in Iraq, Mr Burnett was briefed by the head of the Iraqi police force, the governor of Basra Province and the head of the electoral commission in the city. He also visited various polling stations in and around the city and met the leader of one of the political parties to discuss the running of the election. Mr Burnett said Iraq, presently ?squalid, litter-ridden and poverty stricken? was a beautiful country which had incredible potential, given its massive oil reserves. ?Unfortunately, the country has been plundered for decades, it?s been hugely deprived because of the wars, not just the Gulf wars but the war against Iran. ?The potential is fantastic, but they need security, they desperately need to get the electricity, power and water sorted out.? Mr Burnett said he could not comment on the Iraqi people?s attitude towards America or US troops within the country as he only visited the British sector. Here, he said Iraqis were ?very generous, smiling and excitable? at the prospect of going to the polls. ?It was marvellous to see so many women going out to vote ? it was an inspirational experience,? said Mr Burnett. He paid tribute to the British forces presently stationed in Iraq. ?We should be so proud of our armed forces, the Foreign Office officials, security agents and members of the police force who have been seconded out there ? they are brilliant.