A Happy Accident

[poliphilo]

Nick Clegg has always believed the Iraq war was illegal. Airing this view in opposition was one thing, proclaiming it from the despatch box quite another. I don't suppose he intended to do it. I imagine he got carried away and the word that he's used so many times before just slipped out.  The government is spinning for all its worth, but his view is on the record now- with the weight of his office behind it.  He has embarrassed his coalition partners- who mostly voted for the war- and given international jurists something to work with if they ever decide to prosecute Blair and his colleagues. Ain't that grand!

Comments

[sovay]

. The government is spinning for all its worth, but his view is on the record now- with the weight of his office behind it.

That's kind of awesome.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

It makes me happy.

[veronica-milvus.livejournal.com]

I don't think Cleggie should change his view of what the previous government did just because he is part of the current one. And frankly I don't think it should need too much spinning. A coalition government includes people with disparate views, by definition, and Cameron should not be surprised if the Libs go off piste now and then. Cameron approved of the war at the time - but like the rest of us, he probably did not have the best information. It seems funny that now, people are expecting him to back his old arch-enemy, Blair.

[steepholm.livejournal.com]

Arch-enemy - or role model? There may be something deep and Jungian going on there.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

It's the use of the word "illegal" that has caused so much raising of eyebrows. If he'd said "ill-advised" or "morally indefensible" or something like that it would have had very little impact.

[michaleen.livejournal.com]

It isn't necessary to stipulate that Clegg's admission was mere accident, is it? He has to realize, at some level, that he is more figleaf than actual governing partner. Why not assume that he's using his position to...I don't know...voice the concerns of his constituency, perhaps? Stranger things have happened, even in politics.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

The word slipped out in the course of a heated exchange with Jack Straw. If he'd had mouth and brain fully engaged I think he would have chosen to say "ill-advised" or something like that.

[michaleen.livejournal.com]

I'm sure you're right. While the idea of a politician deliberately speaking the truth like that has a certain charm, Hell will probably freeze over, first.