The war is over . . . Saddam and his regime has been ousted in Iraq . . . but Prime Minister Tony Blair has little to celebrate...

TODAY thousands of people were expected to gather in London to demonstrate against the ongoing occupation of Iraq.

Meanwhile, the Hutton inquiry into the death of government scientist Dr David Kelly has dominated our TV screens for weeks.

Yet is the war in Iraq and its aftermath still an issue which is likely to produce the mass demonstrations seen six months ago at the

start of the conflict? And what are the wider implications of George Bush's continuing 'War on Terror.' David Newble talked to some of Hampshire's key figures to find out:

IT WAS the issue which divided the country and produced one of the largest demonstrations ever seen in the United Kingdom.

Millions of people across the world marched against the war in Iraq. The ongoing occupation of the country continues to cost both British and American soldiers lives.

Prime MInister Tony Blair's insistence on backing the war and his almost lone support for US President George Bush in the face of hostile world opinion continues to resonate both at home and abroad.

The Hutton Inquiry into the death of weapons expert Dr David Kelly, plus unrest within Mr Blair's own party about the war, have been two of the most visible effects of the conflict in the UK.

Not only did the war damage Mr Blair's popularity among the country at large - it also cost him one of his loyalist ministers, Southampton Itchen MP John Denham.

Mr Denham sensationally quit his job as a Home Office minister when he found he could not support Tony Blair's government in the second Gulf War.

His decision cost him his government career but attracted widespread support - both in Southampton and among Labour party activists across the country.

This week, Mr Denham spoke at a meeting staged by the Southampton branch of the Stop the War Coalition.

For Mr Denham, the Blair government made "serious mistakes" by allying its foreign policy so closely to America.

He said: "When I resigned, my view was that there was no justification for going to war at that time and without clear international support and I think things that have happened since have certainly not undermined my views.

"So far as the United States is concerned, the USA is the most powerful nation by far in the world but it is not powerful enough, nor does it have the moral authority, to decide on its own how global problems should be tackled, and we need to find a way of saying to the US, 'Yes we want to work with you, but not on an unconditional basis'."

For Mr Denham, Britain is still uniquely placed to form a bridge between European countries which opposed the war and the current United States administration.

He said: "Other European governments that have almost said they are against co-operation are also not helping resolve the problem."

Mr Denham said that the failure of the world trade talks were indirectly related to the situation in Iraq because they exposed a lack of trust that people have in the motives of the United States.

"That is going to cost us all dear if that is the impact on trade and the environment."

Mr Denham blamed the so-called neo-Conservatives in charge of American foreign policy at present for making the rest of the world's relations with America difficult.

But he held out hope that they would not be in charge for ever.

He said: "I think they over exaggerate the ability of America to project itself around the world because, as Iraq is showing, military might is one thing, but winning hearts and minds and reconstructing society is a different thing.

"For that reason, the USA will have to swing back to a more constructive approach and we need to help them to do that.

"That is why I am always very careful to distance myself from those who want to write off America as a whole."

For one of the founders of the Stop the War Coalition, John Rees, nothing less that the immediate withdrawal of both British and American troops from Iraq will do.

He told the Daily Echo that up to 100,000 people were expected to turn up to today's rally in Hyde Park and, across the world, up to 40 other countries would be holding their own simultaneous demonstrations.

Mr Rees, who also appeared at the alternative Question Time debate with John Denham, staged at Southampton Institute this week, said: "The demonstration is going to be huge. People will be there for a number of reasons. They look at the occupation and think it is not working, they don't think we should be involved. There is no doubt that the government has lied about weapons of mass destruction.

"They also think that George Bush and Tony Blair might engage in further military actions."

He denied that withdrawing the British and American troops would cause Iraq to plunge further into chaos.

He said: "It is hardly an extreme statement. I always find it a slightly strange argument. Nobody has said that the Iraqis are incapable of running an election.

"The point is this really. The question is 'Do you think the troops are adding to security or detracting from it?'

"The point is that no real progress can be made until some form of legitimate government is constructed in Iraq. Whatever comes from outside will not be legitimate."

Meanwhile, another high profile opponent of the war, Hampshire's Green MEP Caroline Lucas, said she would be turning up at the protest.

She told the Daily Echo she would be heading up the march and addressing protesters.

She said: "This illegal, immoral and counter-productive war has already cost more that 20,000 lives.

"Iraq is in chaos and Blair's case for war is unravelling around him in the face of the Hutton Inquiry and an ongoing criminal hearing into the invasion's legality.

"Justice will only be served by the withdrawal of the occupying US and UK forces to make way for a transitional UN-led peacekeeping force and the swift beginning of democracy in Iraq.

"The Iraqi people must be given the freedom to elect an Iraqi administration to oversee their nation's reconstruction and govern in the interests of Iraqis themselves."