Jonathan Steele in the Groan:

Now Blair should do
the same. How can we say we are trying to bring democracy to Iraq, he
should tell the White House, and then not recognise democracy at home?
Ten days before the general election an NOP poll showed that 60% of
Britons wanted British troops out by the end of this year. Last week’s
slashing of the Labour parliamentary majority reinforced that view.

By
accepting that most British people want out of Iraq, and telling Bush
we cannot remain there purely out of solidarity with the Americans,
Blair could go a long way towards restoring the public trust he has
lost during the past two and a half years. It would not completely
erase the effect of Iraq on his premiership (nothing will), but it
would at least be a sign that he understands how unpopular his policies
over Iraq have been.

Blair
will never admit he was wrong on Iraq, let alone that he lied. But by
bringing his policies into line with the majority of British people,
some of the taint of arrogance would be wiped away.

This is slightly odd, basing a decision on one opinion poll. Haven’t we just had an election? Some 40% didn’t vote, so we must assume that 40% don’t care. Of the three major parties, only one was resolutely anti-war, and they got some 24/25% of the vote. So the actual number who think it important that troops leave would seem to be closer to 14/15% or so. And that’s the will of the electorate that a decision should be based upon?