(UK) 'There was no Cabinet debate in run-up to war,' says former cabinet minister

[JohnyCanuck]

REVEALED: 'There was no Cabinet debate in run-up to war,' says Short as Government refuses to release minutes

By Simon Walters

The Government is refusing to release minutes of Cabinet meetings before the Iraq War because they would reveal there was no discussion on the issue.

Details surrounding two crucial meetings on the eve of the conflict were laid bare for the first time yesterday when former Cabinet Minister Clare Short, who was present at both, gave a full account of what happened.

She told The Mail on Sunday the main reason for the ‘scandalous’ decision not to publish the minutes was not to protect confidential discussions about the war, but to cover up the fact there was no such discussion.

At the last Cabinet meeting, no debate on the legality of the war was allowed and Tony Blair, then Prime Minister, said brusquely: ‘That’s it.’

The official records would also put an end to claims by Gordon Brown’s supporters that, in private, he had grave doubts about the war, said Ms Short. In fact, he led the Cabinet campaign to accuse France of sabotaging British and American attempts to win United Nations support for the attack on Saddam Hussein.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1158148/REVEALED-There-Cabinet-debate-run-war-says-Short-Government-refuses-release-minutes.html

[pretzel4gore]

1. the memory hole...

thieves love the memory hole, for storing the evidence- and it works! tony blair fought against going to war, but gave in due to pressure from frightened cabinet ministers, who knew saddam had nukes pointed at the house (the 'war' revealed truth, that saddam was really trying to flee Iraq, having offered to hold UN supervised elections etc, but that's another topic)

[malaise]

2. Never forget this speech

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/2859431.stm
<snip>
From the start of the present crisis, I have insisted, as Leader of the House, on the right of this place to vote on whether Britain should go to war.

It has been a favourite theme of commentators that this House no longer occupies a central role in British politics.

Nothing could better demonstrate that they are wrong than for this House to stop the commitment of troops in a war that has neither international agreement nor domestic support.

I intend to join those tomorrow night who will vote against military action now. It is for that reason, and for that reason alone, and with a heavy heart, that I resign from the government.
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Blair followed Thatcher with a secret inner cicle who made all the decisions and then went to the House of Commons for votes. The notion of Cabinet government was mere farce.

[JohnyCanuck]

3. kick n/t