Mr Blair Goes To Washington

It was a very curious visit to Washington by Tony Blair this week.
He gave a speech to Georgetown University calling for an expanded role for the UN, seats on the security council for India and Japan, and a new international co-operation between nations.
Aaaah, its the legacy again. In 2003 Tony Blair thought so little of the UN that he was willing to commit British troops to the invasion of Iraq without so much as a resolution. He bullied his senior law officers to change their verdict on acting without a UN mandate from illegal to legal.
Blair claims that the UN security council is not fit for purpose. It needs reforming. It needs a strong permanent leader.
Perhaps someone British? Know anyone who might be out of a job soon? Answers on a post card.
Then there was the admission by both Blair and Bush that some mistakes had been made. Two world leaders with approval ratings in the low 30s, sure in the knowledge they will not be in power in two years, picking over the shambolic Iraq adventure that will forever be their legacy. It was almost sad to watch.
Blair was visibly struggling for words at their White House press conference, having to be rescued by his friend George on several occasions. Tony admitted that removing the entire ruling class of Iraq immediately after invasion was a very stupid thing to do.
Bush said that the abuse at Abu Ghraib prison was something the US was still paying for. He also acknowledged that strutting around talking like John Wayne was perhaps not the most presidential behaviour.
This should infuriate all those who supported the war AND all those who opposed it.
They will apologise for the detail but not the invastion. They have both admitted they seriously messed up their precious war and that their bad decisions are a reason that US and UK troops are attacked.
As the dead old Queen Mum used to advise: never apologise, never explain.