Robin Cook has resigned from Tony Blair’s cabinet as the build-up to war with Iraq gathers pace.
The decision by the House of Commons leader, one of the highest profile figures in the Labour Party, came as the Cabinet held an emergency meeting in Downing Street:
“I can’t accept collective responsibility for the decision to commit Britain now to military action in Iraq without international agreement or domestic support.”
BBC International Development Secretary Clare Short may follow Mr Cook’s lead and submit her resignation as well. How much precedent is there for the courageous resignation of cabinet-level officials faced with the immorality of their country’s course? Bravo, Mr. Cook!
Memo to George Bush: consider an offer of political asylum to Tony Blair. You are probably the only one who has any sympathy for him, and he is devoted to you like a pitiful puppy constantly kicked by its master and never realizing enough not to keep crawling back for more.
