The article noted: “The problem for the Government is one of credibility. No one believes that Iraq is about to attack the UK or its allies, and any self-defence claim by the Government would sit very uncomfortably with the US position that military action is justified to destroy such weapons of mass destruction as Iraq may have, and to bring about a change of leadership.”
The author of that piece was, of course, Keir Starmer, then a barrister at Doughty Street Chambers and fellow of the Human Rights Centre at Essex University.
Once again a British prime minister faces being dragged into a conflict far from home at a time of little public appetite for war. Once again there is no immediate threat or need for self-defence. Once again it could provoke retaliatory acts of terror on our own shores.
Once again at the PM’s right hand is Jonathan Powell. Last time, Powell was Tony Blair’s chief of staff, who went on to tell the Iraq inquiry there was “an assumption” Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction and he was “absolutely amazed” when it turned out he didn’t. Now he is Starmer’s National Security Adviser.
Donald Trump has told reporters, “I may do it, I may not do it,” adding perhaps his greatest ever truism: “I mean, nobody knows what I’m going to do.”
On an emotional basis the Trump mindset will expect his allies to fall into line behind whatever he does next. On a practical basis he will need UK permission to use the much-discussed Diego Garcia air bases. At which point we are in, whether we like it or not.
Unlike attorney general Lord Goldsmith, who reached a decision that an attack on Iraq was legal, Attorney General Hermer has reportedly told the PM any UK involvement in Iran, beyond defensive support, would be illegal. Calls are mounting for that advice to be published.
Flawed intelligence and poor planning for a post-conflict future were the causes. The deaths of 179 British servicemen and women, and 650,000 Iraqis (as recorded by an October 2006 survey) were the consequences.
square KATE MALTBY Gleeful leftists cheering attacks on Israel don’t understand the true horror
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Starmer will also be mindful that short-term destruction of the Iranian regime is absolutely no guarantee of long-term security in the region. It could spell quite the opposite.
Pre-Iraq Tony Blair was back and forth to the United States hanging out with George W Bush at every opportunity. There they were tramping through the snowy woods together. And even settling down with wives Laura and Cherie to watch Robert de Niro’s Meet The Parents (yes, they actually did that).
Starmer was among those who marched against Blair’s desire for war. He opposed it on legal and moral grounds. Now surely his opposition will be on legal, moral – and political grounds. That’s no guarantee it will not happen. But it would happen despite, rather than because, of our PM’s instincts.
Alison Phillips was editor of the Daily Mirror from 2018-24; she won Columnist of the Year at the 2018 National Press Awards
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