tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7985429043801017839.post6173361675447517281..comments2023-10-27T07:50:27.411+01:00Comments on Next Left: Ed Balls and Ed Miliband both argue that Labour got the Iraq war wrongTom Hampsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05917325958130851128noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7985429043801017839.post-39516526133701454962010-05-22T10:24:04.591+01:002010-05-22T10:24:04.591+01:00Mr Balls didn't say any of this at the time. H...Mr Balls didn't say any of this at the time. He could have said it during the election campaign, if he believes it. Why didn't he? This is just a political game. That alone is bad enough - a Labour opposition needs to be based on principle not politics. But the insane thing is that its not even good politics. It is blatant flipping: vulgar and shameful.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07440836632580605404noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7985429043801017839.post-35731531211162251002010-05-22T02:52:55.561+01:002010-05-22T02:52:55.561+01:00While Arabic transliterations aren't beyond re...While Arabic transliterations aren't beyond reproach, I should point out to the above commentator that the country Tony Blair decided to unilaterally give assurances to the White House he would support an invasion of, regardless of the legality, is conventionally spelled 'Iraq'.<br /><br />Robin Cook for Labour leader! The only man who had the decency to resign from cabinet over the war when it actually made a difference (even Clare Short was slow off the mark). Ed Balls is an opportunist.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06533540721427232602noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7985429043801017839.post-24000584971264083192010-05-21T23:29:32.417+01:002010-05-21T23:29:32.417+01:00While it is undoubtedly true that the Irak War los...While it is undoubtedly true that the Irak War lost Labour many votes, it should be remembered that we actually won the 2005 election (when the war's principal British advocate was still party leader). There is some evidence (such as regaining Bethnal Green and Bow and our relatively good performance in inner city seats) that the Irak War effect has substantially reduced. So it cannot explain the huge swings against us in rural and suburban England, esp in the South.Robin Paicehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16773465437362171327noreply@blogger.com