(no subject)

[tinyjo]

I wish I was French sometimes. At least their government isn't totally subservient to the Americans all the time. I find it hard to believe that we're actually going to have a war in some ways, not least because I'm so used to the government folding under the tiniest bit of pressure from public opinion. It's so strange to see Tony Blair stick to his guns in the face of complete disagreement from the country, the party, even his MP's, normally so well trained. And I suppose that in the end, I have faith in the idea that getting re-elected is still more important to them than anything and this is one issue I can imagine they could lose the election on. If they go in without a second resolution we could even see enough defections to the Lib-Dems to shift the balance of power in the commons, perhaps not enough to change the government, but enough to cut down on the majority. I suppose that's a certain amount of wishful thinking but it's also pretty pragmatic. There's a lot of votes in this, and no MP can sit quietly by, especially in those marginal Middle England seats, and see those slip away from him. Maybe self-interest will save us after all, even if it doesn't save the Iraqis.

Comments

[soulsong.livejournal.com]

On the other hand the French don't seem to mind having Mugabe over for tea, especially if it makes the British look isolated.

Two things...

[truecatachresis.livejournal.com]

The first is that I'll think you'll find there's rather less opposition in the voting public to a war than you might expect. A lot of people seem to either not care, or be happy to have a go at Johnny Foreigner. As with many things, opposition is often more outspoken than agreement.

The second is that there may well be truth in the American claim of the mountains of evidence that Saddam he be bad man. We've heard a lot of posturing from Dubya about how he knows loads of dirty little secrets, but they're too dirty for us to know. He might be right, and Mr Tony Blair has seen these and agrees and is prepared to fight in the face of opposition from his party and outspoken others.