Anne Clwyd has written a marvelous column in the Guardian outlining the stark choice which must be made by the anti-war left:
The debate in Britain will be a reflection on us and on our values. Are we capable of the maturity displayed by the Iraqis who are working in the most difficult circumstances to build a new democracy? Or will we be represented by those who despise Bush and Blair so much that they are prepared to offer support and succour to the “resistance” which has no alternative or agenda other than more bloodshed and chaos?
It seems morally outrageous that this should be a difficult decision to make, however Anne is far more tolerant and understanding of the far left than I. She is after all the special envoy to the PM on human rights.
I refer to fortune, because the fall of Claire Short has more or less paved the way for Anne Clwyd’s ascension into the media spotlight. Hillary Benn, the current Secretary of State for International Development is hardly as outspoken as her predecessor so it has instead fallen to Anne Clwyd to take the PR reins. She has pursued this aim through articles in the Times and other journals and her impassioned and reasoned speeches to the House of Commons .
She is an extraordinary asset for the Government and bringing her to the fore on the Iraq debate has been a stroke of genius. I can only hope that we get to see more of her in the coming months.
Later
John
Posted by John Swaine at July 5, 2004 09:50 PM | TrackBack