"The Liberals have been pressing for the brief on the basis of which he said there was authority for war"

Clare Short's quote is describing the British federal government's choice to go to war with Iraq in 2003. The Liberal party was pushing for the government to launch the legal quick that offered the reason for the war. This short was thought to contain proof that the government had the authority to go to war. The Liberal party wanted the general public to be able to see the proof and make their own judgement on the legality of the war. The government, however, declined to launch the short, pointing out national security concerns. This caused a lot of controversy and argument, with many people questioning the federal government's choice to go to war without providing the general public with the proof to support their choice. Clare Short's quote is a reflection of the aggravation felt by the Liberal party at the government's refusal to launch the legal quick.