Tony Blair's legacy is a more social democratic Britain than the government has often admitted. But Iraq means that he leaves British foreign policy in flux as rarely before. How will Gordon Brown respond?

This afternoon I was invited to attend the Newham Launch of "Muslim Friends of Labour" (MFL) at Minhaj Ul-Qur'an International Mosque, Forest Gate, London E7. Cabinet Minster and local MP, Stephen Timms, Chief Secretary Treasury, was the guest speaker.

The Government got it right over dealing with the capture of the 15 sailors and marine personnel in Iran.Now the spectacularly underwhelming Defence Minister Des Browne has scored a spectacular own goal by allowing the captives to sell their stories in the newspapers.

Defence & Foreign Policy After Blair
A conference for Labour Party members and activists.
Organised by Labour Against the War in conjunction with Labour CND and Labour Action for Peace

Michael Meacher on the need for a wholly different approach to foreign policy, opposition to any attack on Iran and the need to reduce dependency on oil.

(From the People's Assembly against the War, London Tuesday 20th March)

Dick Cheney's Chief Of Staff Lewis Scooter-Libby, central role in planning the Iraq War  and stifling critics of it, just been found guilty of lying to Grand Jury.

Alan Johnson interview from this week's Tribune. Lots of interesting stuff from Alan on education, PR, Iraq and the timing of Blair's departure.

What's Left asks Nick Cohen in what is already one of the most discussed political books of the year. Beyond his defence of the Iraq war is a broader claim that nobody really knows what it means to be on 'the left' today. We need to be able to answer this challenge.

As promised here is the interview I have done with Hilary Benn from this week's Tribune. Hilary had some very strong words to say about the Iraq war and the anti-war movement, creating a spin-off story, which is also included.

According to today's Washington Post President Bush has been telling friends that the situation in Iraq is not as bad as it might appear.

The seemingly unshakeable confidence in the rightness of his positions has helped the current president weather political storms that might overwhelm others. For a man who presides over an unpopular war, just lost Congress and faces a final two years with constrained options, Bush gives little sign of self-pity.

So what do you think? Is Bush a resolute president under fire or a man who is in almost total denial?

Peter Hennessy gave a really good interview of 18 Doughty Street last week in which he described in a relaxed way what he thought about many topics- ranging from the Falklands War to nuclear armament under Attlee. Its well worth listening to and is here.

Amongst the things he said though was his argument that during the Iraq war the Labour Cabinet behaved irresponsibly. None of the members of the cabinet asked for the legal advice to be given to them, it was the Permanent Secretary at the MOD and commander of the army who asked for it and none of them asked for written argument about the war even though the Cabinet Office had actually prepared such a statement for them to read.

Tribune's David Mills writes this excellent piece on the Iraq war's potential impact on the Labour Deputy Leadership election.

Very interesting take on US perspectives on the Iraq war. The Tony Blair interview in particular throws further light on the subject.

In light of her comments, so pathetically denied, I would certainly favour her being sacked, but we all know its a few years too late for that to be a real possibility.

She should however, do the right thing and resign.
Those happy enough to prop their anti war arguements with her, should ask themselves where she was back in 2003 - 'following the leader'.

Why do people say such stupid things?

I find it difficult to watch question time. When it starts to get too 'deep' I find I just get frustrated. There is a certain cut off point, and this was it for me last night, and here's why.

'He told BBC One's Question Time he had no evidence but the timing of the verdict was "deeply suspect".'

The words of one Malcolm Rifkind.

Maybe he should get his facts right before he comes onto national television and further makes a mockery of the facts thrown onto the public regarding Iraq.

Firstly, SADDAMS lawyers had also called for it to be postponed.

Secondly, it was delayed last month because of requests from the tribunal reviewing the stacks of evidence.

Indeed just a couple of days before the verdict the chief prosecutor was saying it might be delayed further.

If you think all these people were trying to help out the american government, you are subscribing to baseless conspiracy theories. The Iraqi government has been plenty combatitive to the Americans.

Not to mention, it would be a huge risk that could have backfired. Massive violence was expected, that thankfully didn't occur, but what if it had? I'd imagine another couple of seats would be lost for the GOP.

 

The resignation of Donald Rumsfeld is something that will affect many of you.  Don't suffer in silence.

If there's one lesson we should learn from the Iraq inquiry debate, it's that we need to reinvigorate the country's democratic processes.
 

I was opposed to the war in Iraq, indeed Tony Benn (President of the Stop the War coalition) came and campaigned for me at the last election. However I don't recall that many Tories seeking election on a platform of principled opposition to the war. Cameron and Hague's attempt to redfine the Tory position should be exposed for what it is - pure, naked opportunism.

This may turn out to be awkward territory for the Tories; IDS backed the war wholeheartedly, and so did Cameron (a junior backbencher at the time), and most of the Tory backbenchers still instinctively give Washington 100% support.

Why the Labour rebels will be right.