If we look at the longer perspecitve, the UK has been involved in conflict in that part of the world since the mid 19th century. Blair´s intervention was only the latest in a long line of previous British PMs becoming involved there, but I cannot recall on single 19th century PM being connected with a war post Napoleón. Disraeli and Gladstone are associated with the UK becoming the premier industrial power in the world, although by the end of Disraeli´s time, Germany was well on the way to overtaking the UK, certainly by the beginning of the 20th century it had if you read Joyce´s Dubliners and his wonderful description of cars racing throught the Irish countryside "flaunting their flashiness and wealth."
Or not!! As former PMs failed to resolve the issue so they must take their share of the blame. Or lets just blame the US!!! In reality it is the UK and France that have much to answer for regarding the issues with the Middle East back in the early years of the 20th century, The región is still beset by the legacy these two former Imperial Powers took back then.
The issue was created by Blair's war. The invasion drove out Iraq's army and militia's who became unemployed, but still armed, soldiers fleeing into neighbouring Libya and Syria. Many turned to mercenary work, some joined various militias or sold their weapons/Iraqs weapon stockpiles, militarising the entire region and kicking off several other wars. The region was comparatively stable before the Iraq war.
Hussein wasn't even the worst dictator around (could be said he was holding the country together under a harsh regime). Far worse things were happening in Africa under Mugabe. But we wanted a share of the spoils with America. A price we'll be paying for some time to come.
It wasn’t Blair’s war, to be fair, it was George Dubya Bush’s war, but Blair was so keen to get involved that he got up in Parliament and lied his head off about WMD’s. There were also some VERY shady goings-on with David Kelly, one of the weapons experts called to give evidence before the Foreign Affairs Select Committee about the lack of evidence of WMD’s dying 2 days after his appearance and the post mortem findings being rendered top secret for 70 years. Blair should have been, and still should be, tried as a war criminal. It was, as has been said above, the after-effects of Saddam being removed that led directly to the emergence of Daesh and the declaration of the Caliphate.
It’s great that both you and your wife were able to vote Imps, but the fact remains that lots of EU citizens were prevented from doing so despite engaging with the beaurocratic process - which obviously varies around the country- in good faith.
At the time people thought it was the right thing to do....just as recent referendum (3 years ago) Forget the Falklands that was a war the Argies could never win. Decisions are made on what is known and suggested. Hindsite is great if you manage to have it.....sadly none of us have.........Something the younger generation seem to forget!!!!!!! As far as housing is concerned the idea was you could buy your council house then eventually the local councils would use that money to build more social housing.....oh yea that's happened hasn't it?
Winston Churchill was generally considered by all sides, to have been a disaster as a post war PM., due to poor health and - ‘ahem’ - great thirst. The fact he came second in that poll does not reflect well on it’s participants.
Typical bloody government if you ask me never pre -prepared for anything............Once they knew there was a likely hood of non agreement in parliament they should have put the wheels in motion for a possible EU Election. It's a disgrace that EU citizens in this country were not allowed to vote.........
His problem was.....as far as I could see....was his promise to the soldiers, Sailors and Airman......that the UK be country fit for heroes. Yea that happened......
It did happen mate, but no thanks to him. The years 1945-1979 was arguably the most prolonged period of peace and prosperity in British history. Go back a thousand years, and it's doubtful there has ever been a better time to be alive. Jobs were plentiful, wages were good, the NHS was there to look after you if you got ill; ordinary working people had holidays with their families, there were no wars to fight (unless you cou t Norrhern Ireland), and if you couldn't afford to buy a house, local authorities built record amounts of clean, comfortable homes for affordable rents. Then along came Maggie Thatcher and tore up the post war social consensus; now we have former industrial towns where people haven't worked for generations, insecure low paid jobs, bogus self employment allowing employers to renege on responsibilities to their staff, a housing crisis of epic proportions, an NHS in crisis, and to top it all, the epic disaster that is Brexit.
May has announced her resignation!! I hope she stitches up her successor by revoking Article 50, which would be the best thing she ever did. Please do it Theresa just before you go, and then the country will love you.
As to her successor! Penny Mordaunt or someone who is not so tainted by the debacle of Brexit. If Johnson elected and proves as good a PM as he was a Foreign Secretary, then surely Corbyn is detined for Number 10 after the next election? Unless he is replaced by someone with more charisma.
If I remember correctly local councils were expressly forbidden to use the sales income to build more houses by central government. Criminal. Argie war could and should have been avoided had early warnings been heeded. Thatcher legacy pah!
