Midlands: Clare Short

Geoff Maskell
Politics Show Midlands

Reviewing Peter Stothard's book "30 Days: A Month at the Heart of Blair's War" in the New Statesman (31/07/03).

"I stayed in the Government because the war was unstoppable and the Prime Minister promised international co-operation and a central UN role to support the people of Iraq in rebuilding their country.

"Blair probably does not even know that he gave me his firm assurances that he later completely breached.

"He uses his charm to get what he wants. He is a media star. He thinks in soundbites.

"This is the book of the film. It is also the government of our country."

The corrosion of integrity at Labour's heart ... Article in the IoS (7/09/03)

In the past 10 days we have seen a set of milestones. Alastair Campbell resigned.

Mrs Kelly gave us the human face of the tragedy of Dr Kelly. And senior representatives of Defence Intelligence told us that the dossier was "over egged" and the "the spin merchants" had too big a role.

In my view, all these events were related. They reflect the disease that has corroded the integrity of the Blair government.

We have a Prime Minister so focused on presentation that there is inadequate consideration of the merits of policy.

At the same time, there has been a massive centralisation of power into No 10.

A 'war' fought on half-truths and deceptions ... Article in the IoS (21/12/03)

I am afraid that the consequences of the errors Tony Blair has made in his handling of the Iraq crisis mean that as long as he is there, we will have little influence and he will continue to be taken for granted by the US and written off by Europe.

Article for the New Statesman (05/01/04)

"The US was determined on regime change and domination of post war Iraq and Tony Blair was determined to support them ...

"The saddest question is was our Prime Minister a knave or a fool? I fear the answer is something of both."

Independent interview (14/01/04)

Ms Short said it would be "highly desirable" for Mr Blair to quit before the next election to allow the Labour Party to return to its principles.

His departure would mean that "a lot of things that have gone wrong would be corrected."

Ms Short said his departure would "renew" a Labour Party which was "crumbling away into disillusionment and enormous loss of members."

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