In the end, it was a bit of a damp squib. For all the talk of nervous whips applying thumbscrews to Labour MPs and ministers being called back from foreign parts, a mere 12 Labour MPs in the end rebelled against the government in today's debate on the Iraq War - nothing in comparison to previous rebellions which have seen the government defeated a couple of times. Called by the SNP and Plaid Cymru, and reluctantly supported by the Tories, the Commons motion was proposing an inquiry into how we went to war in Iraq. The Conservatives actually favour waiting for such an inquiry until after the war, whilst Labour naturally favour not having one at all.
Or at least they did.
Although the government won the debate today, Defence Secretary Des Browne appears to have promised an inquiry after all, in comments made to television broadcasters. As ever, the government's message is confused and subject to late changes, and heaven forbid they should provide either consistency or clarity.
As far as lessons about Commons behaviour go, it was always a no-brainer for Labour MPs not to walk into the same lobbies as the opposition parties on an opposition debate. However, it is a sign of how fractious this parliament is - and in particular its all important Labour MPs - that the expectation of government defeats is so regular.
And we do at least know that an inquiry is in the offing - even after leaving office, Blair is likely to be haunted by its findings.
2 comments:
"As ever, the government's message is confused...and heaven forbid they should provide either consistency or clarity."
What tripe! Let’s investigate the chameleon instead. Despite supporting the war perhaps only a month ago, Cameron proves his shameful political greed to jump on board the inquiry boat that unfortunately sank like the Titanic and left him with the wet feet. Hague in the meantime is now calling for an inquiry in “about a year”. Ah clear concise politics from the blue backyard there. To add insult to injury, the press have mostly steered clear of thumping the government for the scrappy vote and instead of chastised Cameron for his pendulum politics. Fantastic stuff!
However, from a neutral’s perspective (I’m trying as hard as I can!) this vote does seem to be a parliamentary capitulation. Parliament seems to have surrendered itself from its functions as holding the government responsible for its actions. As GM correctly points out, for all the seething remarks, bitter condemnation and expectation leading up to vote, only 12 Labour MP’s opposed their government and (although scrappily) Blair will be pleased enough to have escaped sentencing in the Commons. At the moment, if you were a British Autocrat you’d want to have this so called “parliament” full of nodding heads and yes-men.
Furthermore for any at all interested in the best NHS we have ever had in Britain, Cameron’s scouts will be shot at dawn when he finds out about the number-plucking that they resorted to in recent condemnations of job cuts. With the NHS in a transition period and still providing a fantastic service to Britain, the Department for Health released the real figures for job losses that bear literally no resemblance to actual figures. In reality fewer than 20% of job losses were from clinics (another point failed to be mentioned by Cameron). With a chorus of “Liar liar pants on fire”, I demand that Cameron step up, prove that he’s such a great man, and apologise for this utterly ridiculous scaremongering.
I am allowed to comment on more than one issue at a time, I stand for more than one political issue jeez. Also, yes of course I am generous about giving Brown some time with his cabinet: do you think it might be because he's not even leader yet? Egg on your face Sir.
Moreover, despite your clearly wise views on the accountability of government towards the end on your post. I might advise that one not make an enemy of one of the pair of the strongest media hands in the school through the mispelling of my name. Centuries of Gaelic heritage and tradition discredited through sheer stupidity.
I smell a Sporting Glory smear campaign...
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