Ministerial Responsibility

Peter Hain has spoken out against the handling of the war in Iraq. Criticising American foreign policy on the day that your boss is hosting the Secretary of State is very clever if you want attention, but not so sensible if you want to appeal to your party for unity. Frankly, it looks a little like a stab in the back.

Mr Hain, who voted in favour of the war, has argued that the unilateralist approach taken by Blair in staunch support of the Bush administration was folly, and that he should have adopted a more pragmatic policy towards those on the other side of the pond. He also referred to Robin Cook, who resigned over the war in 2006.

He has defended his initial support for war by claiming that he thought Iraq has weapons of mass destruction. In essence, he is admitting that the Prime Minister lied to the electorate and to his own cabinet. If a cabinet minister thinks the PM has mislead him in such a way, his aim should not be to race to succeed him, but to impeach him.

I cannot comprehend the logic of a man who has blindly followed Blair until it is convenient to look anti-war, but who remains on the cabinet that oversees the disastrous policy he is complaining about.

I sincerely hope no Labour members see this as a valiant left-winger standing up to Blair’s presidency. It is the cynical workings of a desperate hypocrite so lacking in integrity that he does not care that he is seen as such.

Oh, and Blunkett has been at it again. I am actually scared to think that this radical lunatic used to be the Home Secretary. I’m sorry to say it, but if you are sacked from the cabinet twice, you have no right to suggest radical social cleansing policies.