The Westminster rebelion..Is it the beginning of the end for Blair ?

Tony Blair was braced for the biggest rebellion of his premiership - and he got it in spades.

After failing to win over his anti-war critics, the prime minister watched as a packed-to-bursting Commons delivered its verdict on his policy towards Saddam Hussein.

He won the day, of course, but saw the rebels racking up a far bigger vote against him than most had predicted.

He knew he could count on the support of most of the Tories and 140 of his ministers who would have faced the sack had they failed to back him.

It was a passionate, sometimes bitter but always honest debate about the rights and wrongs of the government\'s handling of Saddam Hussein.

But the fact is, it will make absolutely no difference to Tony Blair\'s plans.

He will still seek a second UN resolution sanctioning action against Iraq and, if he gets it, will breathe a huge sigh of relief.

It won\'t quite be a case of \'with one bound he was free\' - but close.

If he fails to get that second motion, he will still stand alongside President Bush when he attacks Iraq. And the long term consequences could be massive.

Link

Despite the "victory" some are sayiing this could spell the end of Blair\'s premiership  ?

Discuss......

How many percent of the UK pop is against a war if the US decides to attack without the UN\'s approval?

Originally posted by fastson
How many percent of the UK pop is against a war if the US decides to attack without the UN\'s approval?

don\'t know for sure but last time it was release it was close to 80% against without a second Res\' from the UN.

and

57% For Action if a second Res\' from the UN is passsed.

Why do you think Blair is sticking his neck out for this cause?

Ace

Originally posted by Ace
Why do you think Blair is sticking his neck out for this cause?

Ace

there are countless reasons flying aroubd over here, plus with this rebelion.. everyone is saying that if the war starts to go sour (i.e. High US or UK troops KIA) it sould spell the end for Tony Blair being leader of the country.

so you your right he\'s sticking his neck out on this one.

My belief is after the dust clears, Blair and Bush will be vindicated and the nay sayers will have to slither away or fall into line.

Call me naive but I think our leaders, in general, are better people than you and some others want us to believe.

Ace

Originally posted by Ace
My belief is after the dust clears, Blair and Bush will be vindicated and the nay sayers will have to slither away or fall into line.

Call me naive but I think our leaders, in general, are better people than you and some others want us to believe.

Ace

True (or maybe)

but this "downfall" of Blair has been slowly building pace over the past 4 years.

What with

Petrol Protests
The Foot and Mouth Crisis
Fire service strikes
Public Scandals (Labour party in general)

the Future of Tony has never looked so bleek.

[Kurt Angle]

He didn\'t look a very happy chappie when the votes were in.