Time for Tony Blair to admit the Iraq war was a shameful abomination

[T_i_B]

For the first, and possibly only time ever Dan Hodges has written an article I agree with

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/danhodges/100202983/tony-blairs-iraq-war-was-a-shameful-abomination-ten-years-after-the-london-march-its-time-for-him-to-admit-it/

Today is the 10th anniversary of the million strong march against the Iraq war. Which is why today would be the perfect day for Tony Blair to hold up his hands and say “I was wrong”.

Tony Blair got it wrong. Totally, utterly, catastrophically wrong. And his failure to acknowledge that fact isn’t just hurting him, it’s hurting those who are desperately trying to ensure the positives from his New Labour agenda don’t vanish down the plughole with the Iraqi bathwater. Focusing on the forthcoming 10th anniversary of the invasion, the Independent’s John Rentoul – who graciously acts as a sort of Yoda to my Blairite Padawan – wrote “The wheezing traction engine of Blair rage is being cranked into action again”. But there’s a very good reason that engine is being cranked up. It’s because Blair hasn’t done what he needs to do. It’s not good enough to leave it the likes of Douglas Alexander or Jim Murphy to attempt to clean up the mess. Nor is it enough to blindly keep saying “Hey guys, I’d like to say sorry, but I can’t, because I honestly don’t believe I’ve anything to apologise for”.

Iraq isn’t a matter of belief, it’s a matter of harsh reality. The 100,000 dead Iraqis are a reality. The thousands of dead in Syria – 90,000 by some estimates – are a reality. An Iranian nuclear bomb may now be 18 months away from becoming a reality.

This time 10 years ago, a million people were on the streets. And they were proved right, and Tony Blair was proved wrong. It’s time for him to hold up his hand and admit it.

[Diclotican]

1. T_i_B

T_i_B

I do not believe, Tony Blair have the guts - or the balls, to admit he was wrong... Until he got in the bed with Bush, i was believing he was one of the great prime minister the UK have had in modern time.. After he sold his soul - to Bush no less - I believe him, if not one of the worst - at least not one of the greater ones UK have had in modern time..

If Blair had been acting his age I might believe he had a chance to acknowledge his wrong - and to admit it - but I do not believe he will do it, anytime soon.. Maybe on his death bed...

Diclotican

[LeftishBrit]

3. I never liked Blair

I was delighted in 1997 to see anyone defeat the Tories after 18 years; but within 6 months I was quite disillusioned with him. I already considered him a Tory for cutting disability benefits, and for continuing with the previous government's right-wing education policies, especially keeping hard-right Chris Woodhead in charge of the schools inspectorate.

I did not quite foresee that he'd end up collaborating with a Republican to get us into a disastrous, immoral and illegal war; but it didn't entirely surprise me.

Most people in Britain strongly opposed the war from the beginning.

[LeftishBrit]

2. It's never going to happen.

Blair shares with Thatcher a complete inability to admit that he could be wrong on anything.

First time I've ever agreed with Dan Hodges, too!