Reflections on the Invasion of Iraq

HINDSIGHT is veritably a wonderful thing. It is easy to be wise after it is clear how events have panned out. Yet, in my case, I am entitled to be acquitted of charges of hindsight. The quagmire that is now Iraq was foreseeable and foreseen, predictable and predicted. I do not claim a monopoly of wisdom. There were others on the Back Benches (on both sides of the House) who were sceptical—most vocal among such were Alice Mahon and George Galloway (for Labour), Kenneth Clarke and Peter Tapsell (for the Conservatives).