This year’s dominant theme has been the domestic legacy of the war against Iraq. It has hung over British politics like a cloud of mustard gas, foul-smelling and ubiquitous. This week the cloud at last lifted, and it became possible to survey with a new clarity the ravaged landscape. Lt Col Blair, the commanding officer, now walks with a pronounced limp, and shows signs of shock. But the important thing is that he is still in place, barking orders and to some extent in command. Major Hoon is at his post. The regimental adjutant, Captain Campbell, had to be taken away by the military police and silenced after becoming hysterical. The devastation is widespread. Dyke, Davies and Gilligan are missing. Major Howard on the opposition side has been injured. Only Lt Kennedy has survived unscathed.
There was still an air of confusion and unreality about Westminster this week. Too much drama had been compressed into too short a time, with far too much at stake. On Monday Downing Street gingerly sounded the all-clear. ‘Looking ahead to the business for the next few days,’ the Prime Minister’s official spokesman advised journalists on Monday, ‘crime, health, education and antisocial behaviour will all be highlighted by ministers through announcements and events.’
Tony Blair wants to return to the home agenda. He will get his way for the time being. Remorseless coverage of WMD was beginning, among other things, to damage newspaper circulation. In any case Michael Howard agrees with the Prime Minister. On Monday night the Tory leader sought to move things forward by making a speech, perhaps better described as a ritual incantation of the kind that has become obligatory among Conservative leaders in opposition.
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