Blair’s cowardly invasion
From J.G. Cluff
Sir: In your leading article (13 May) you list a litany of Mr Blair’s failures without mentioning the Iraq war. How can you leave out his dismal role in committing the country to that illegal, incompetent, unnecessary and cowardly excursion? I say cowardly because I am so cynical about this meretricious and mendacious politician that I now believe it was precisely because there were no weapons of mass destruction that America and Britain invaded Iraq. There is a sinister symmetry between Hans Blix’s pronouncement and the invasion. Had he established the existence of weapons of mass destruction, I doubt whether Bush and Blair would have committed anything other than hot air.
J.G. Cluff
London SW1
Grand old salesman
From Andrew Roberts
Sir: I wonder whether Paul Johnson is right to say that the modern practice of selling peerages for cash began under Lord Salisbury (And another thing, 13 May). The earliest documented example of it from that period came in 1891, with William Gladstone’s negotiations over baronies for the very rich Liberal MPs Sydney Stern and James Williamson. When he became prime minister, Lord Rosebery only agreed to honour the agreements once he was personally informed by Gladstone of the nature of the deals, and the two contributors became Lords Wandsworth and Ashton respectively. Lord Salisbury did nominate the shipbuilder and Tory party contributor Fortescue Flannery to a knighthood in 1899, but I believe that Gladstone rather than he began the modern practice.
Andrew Roberts
London SW3
Summer hols for soldiers
From Glynn Downton
Sir: I would not wish to belittle Sir Cliff Richard’s compassion in apparently recognising that Tony Blair was suffering as a result of his decision about the Iraq war (‘It seemed to me that Tony was suffering’, 13 May).
Comments
Join the debate for just £1 a month
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for £3.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just £1 a monthAlready a subscriber? Log in