The Russians have talked about using their veto in the security council, and if that happens, Tony Blair seems set to go to war without a UN resolution, despite his earlier indication that he could not do so.

IF this happens, what are Tony Blairs chances for re election to Prime Minister, or even as head of the Labour party?

I think that a war without UN backing would split the Labour party, possibly resulting in a vote of no confidence in the Commons, but more likely sparking an internal party coup like that which deposed Thatcher.

Unless the war does solve the problems in the Middle East and put an end to the threat of global terror, all within 6 months (which it won't do), I can't see how the Labour Party would even consider fielding Blair as a Prime-Ministerial candidate at the next election in 3 years time.

I think Blair has a touch of the Christian martyrdom complex, and he is ultimately willing to eschew the views of his party and his public, and sacrifice his own political career, in pursuit of what he sees as his moral duty.

In some ways that could be considered an admirable trait, but it is certainly not democratic.

Tony better pray the UN votes to go to war with Iraq & that the war ends quickly so his party can get undivided & he can have at least a chance to get re-elected

The u.k and france share a wiired stance on that, in the u.k, some people are speaking out against blairs not wanting to listen on why he supports the u.s and in france some people are speaking out why thier elected leader will not support the u.s.


On a personal level and not within the domain of this thread, i think that it is grave a small nation like iraq is allowd to ruin the u.n.

Both Bush and Blair will be laying their political careers and place in history on the line for something they believe is the right thing to do. They deserve admiration and respect for having the strength of their convictions.

How they fare will depend on the outcome of the war.

Personally, I think they will fare well and anyone with an ounce of sense would be hoping the same thing right about now.

Musings from the Middle



Why? No one respects me for my convictions, and even if they did, I wouldn't go to war just because I believed it was the right thing to do. I would need enough evidence that my people and my allies would back me up.
Tony Blair (& GWB) is a servant of the state. His job is to serve the British people, not lead them. I think a lot of people lose sight of this when they start talking about 'leaders'.

The word for leader in German is, Fuhrer.
Make of that, what you will....

I wish, at least, they would bid us "Farewell".

While I appreciate your taking on the role of Arbiter of What Is Sensible, I suspect that if it were put to a vote, you may not receive the mandate you obviously expect. I could, of course, be wrong.

Almost every despot, tyrant, and autocrat in history, by the way, has had enormous strength of conviction - from Genghis Khan and Attila the Hun to Nicolai Ceausescu and Muammar Qaddafi. Bush and Blair, I grant you, deserve equal admiration and respect. I will not speculate on how those with even several kilograms of sense would find your criteria for worthiness of "admiration and respect" - that is apparently your self-appointed task. A grateful forum bows in awe before your majestic powers of apprehension, I'm sure.

In other words your hope is that we lose this war? Is your dislike of President Bush that strong? That you would want to see enough American blood shed to cause us to lose a war?

Yes, Middle, absolutely. You finally read a posting of mine correctly - your grasp of the language is really coming along nicely. I've been found out. I have an overweening desire to see American blood shed.

Leaving your penchant for the ridiculous behind, I would argue that "how they fare" depends on whether this unnecssary war is prosecuted or not - on whether Bush and Blair themselves come upon some of your much vaunted "sense".

In other words, my real hope - as would be abundantly clear to anyone else who had been stalking me to the level that you have - is that Bush and Blair won't demand that any American blood be wasted on this pointless exercise - not one drop. Instead, thanks to their precipitate, ill-motivated actions - and the support of cheerleaders like yourself - thousands of America's sons and daughters will be sacrificing their lives for no good reason. I'm sure their bereaved parents will thank you when the world is free of Saddam Hussein continuing to pose no threat whatsoever. They might even give up a few civil rights in your honor, Middle, for the privilege of having their children's guts and brains splattered on the Iraqi countryside for the greater glory of George W Bush.

This topic is about Tony Blair NOT George W. Bush. Please, get back on topic.