Diplomats Lose To Iraq

Diplomats Lose To Iraq

Although we rarely display our stiff upper lip, it is nevertheless ingrained in the culture of the British people to maintain a certain reserve, even when the world around us is clearly going pear shaped. So when a long list of distinguished ex-Diplomats and Envoys decide to send a letter of concern to the UK government, and copy that letter to the national press, we know that somebody is in deep trouble.

Whilst Margaret Thatcher had a relationship with President Reagan, Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair has long been seen as the obedient side kick of Clinton and Bush, bowing to their policies with hardly a word of protest or dissension. Any criticism of this puppy dog attitude has always been dismissed by the Prime Minister's supporters, whilst pointing out that we have a special and historic relationship with America which puts us in a unique position to influence international policy to the benefit of all mankind.

To test the accuracy of this statement, imagine that you are a porpoise swimming with a blue whale. The whale glides past and, deciding that it is slightly off course, you give it a playful nudge. Question 1 - Will the whale notice your presence, or simply try to scratch what it perceives to be an annoying itch? Question 2 - Has the whale's course change one iota?

Unfortunately Blair is not into whales otherwise he would have known that any attempt to influence American policy is futile, and that the United States will do what it believes is best for its people - or administration - regardless of any protestations from the country that tried to play dirty with tea taxes two hundred and thirty years ago.

He would also have remembered that we can ignore the possibility of having to submit to the humiliation of fingerprinting upon entering the land of the free if we do not have biometric passports by the end of this year. And he would have recalled that we can even swallow the deception of a war which kills our soldiers and damages our relationships with our closest economic allies.

But what the British public cannot ignore under any circumstances is fifty two retired diplomats daring to raise a public protest - it's simply not done sir!

Where does this unprecedented action leave Prime Minister Blair? Well, given that the UK press is saturated with the story, complete with excerpts and quotes from some of the signatories, he is currently up the creek in a canoe without a paddle in sight. Of course his spokesmen have tried to deflect criticism by accusing the authors of being out of touch or apologists for the Arab world, but such a response is weak and predictable.

So, when you get right down to it, Blair is in a great deal of trouble as the British public sees that people with years of in territory experience are in effect calling for a fundamental review of government policy. They are in effect putting up a big flashing sign outside 10 Downing Street questioning Blair's credibility yet again and highlighting his long standing subservience to Washington.

However, as uncomfortable as this attack may be in the short term, it will have little effect on Blair's tenure as head of government because an election is due next year and no Labour supporter in their right mind is going to rock the boat at this stage by mounting a leadership contest. The most likely outcome is that he and his Cabinet will weather what they hope is a passing storm, and point to the strength of the UK economy as proof that they are the government of choice regardless of any minor glitches that crop up along the way.



	Although we rarely display our stiff upper lip, it is nevertheless ingrained in the culture of the British people to maintain a certain reserve, even when the world around us is clearly going pear shaped. So when a long list of distinguished ex-Diplomats and Envoys decide to send a letter of concern to the UK government, and copy that letter to the national press, we know that somebody is in deep trouble. Whilst Margaret Thatcher had a relationship with President Reagan, Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair has long been seen as the obedient side kick of Clinton and Bush, bowing to their policies with hardly a word of protest or dissension. Any criticism of this puppy dog attitude has always been dismissed by the Prime Minister's supporters, whilst pointing out that we have a special and historic relationship with America which puts us in a unique position to influence international policy to the benefit of all mankind. To test the accuracy of this statement, imagine that you are a porpoise swimming with a blue whale. The whale glides past and, deciding that it is slightly off course, you give it a playful nudge. Question 1 - Will the whale notice your presence, or simply try to scratch what it perceives to be an annoying itch? Question 2 - Has the whale's course change one iota? Unfortunately Blair is not into whales otherwise he would have known that any attempt to influence American policy is futile, and that the United States will do what it believes is best for its people - or administration - regardless of any protestations from the country that tried to play dirty with tea taxes two hundred and thirty years ago. He would also have remembered that we can ignore the possibility of having to submit to the humiliation of fingerprinting upon entering the land of the free if we do not have biometric passports by the end of this year. And he would have recalled that we can even swallow the deception of a war which kills our soldiers and damages our relationships with our closest economic allies. But what the British public cannot ignore under any circumstances is fifty two retired diplomats daring to raise a public protest - it's simply not done sir! Where does this unprecedented action leave Prime Minister Blair? Well, given that the UK press is saturated with the story, complete with excerpts and quotes from some of the signatories, he is currently up the creek in a canoe without a paddle in sight. Of course his spokesmen have tried to deflect criticism by accusing the authors of being out of touch or apologists for the Arab world, but such a response is weak and predictable. So, when you get right down to it, Blair is in a great deal of trouble as the British public sees that people with years of in territory experience are in effect calling for a fundamental review of government policy. They are in effect putting up a big flashing sign outside 10 Downing Street questioning Blair's credibility yet again and highlighting his long standing subservience to Washington. However, as uncomfortable as this attack may be in the short term, it will have little effect on Blair's tenure as head of government because an election is due next year and no Labour supporter in their right mind is going to rock the boat at this stage by mounting a leadership contest. The most likely outcome is that he and his Cabinet will weather what they hope is a passing storm, and point to the strength of the UK economy as proof that they are the government of choice regardless of any minor glitches that crop up along the way.