An eye on our primary ally in Iraq: Great Britain

One way to illuminate the U.S. debate over Iraq is to approach it from the perspective of our primary ally: Great Britain. Tony Blair faces criticism from his own party, the Labour Party, over the progress of the war in Iraq. This is in sharp contrast to the U.S., where Bush's party presents a solidly supportive facade, even though individual Republicans are deeply troubled over the war in Iraq. Largely this is due to the looming election and the desire to elect Republicans, no matter what it takes. But this is also due to the parameters Bush has set: that dissent over the war is unpatriotic, that discussion of possible mistakes shows a lack of confidence that can only aid the enemy, and that his own camp must affirm all, and question none, of his decisions. Bush's mandate is the old "love it or leave it" with the understanding that this means, "love it (Bush policies) or leave it (your country)." More haunting wisps of the Vietnam era . . . . As a result, you have respected political figures, like Colin Powell, making obviously uncomfortable statements that echo the party line.

In a more productive political climate, people who are largely supportive of a politician can still object to some of the politician's decisions. The Guardian points out today that Tony Blair is under increasing pressure over Iraq from his own party. The Labour party's annual conference is this coming week and local party delegates have forced two motions on the Iraq War into the agenda for a debate on Thursday. One of the motions is "deeply critical of the government's Iraq policy." The article describes the motion in these words:

It calls on ministers "to recognise that the continuing occupation of Iraq is unjustifiably destructive of both lives and resources and calls on the prime minister to name an early date for the withdrawal of British forces".

Party managers will be hoping that this motion fails and that delegates will instead back one calling for British troops to remain in Iraq until after January's planned elections.

British forces must then be withdrawn "as soon as possible but only in accordance with the wishes of the newly elected Iraqi government", it reads.

Britain is our primary ally in Iraq, so we need to listen very carefully to their debates, especially since Bush's party isn't able to function as well as Blair's.