Rhodri Returns…To Aberystwyth
So the return of the only person in Britain without a view on the Iraq war to Aberystwyth is featured in the Cambrian News.Apparently we are all being allowed to ask him a question on whatever subject we like.Something similar happens to me on Tuesday afternoons down in the bay.However, these questions in Aberystwyth to the First Minister have to be revealed in advance so the assertion that he will be “put on the spot “may be something of an overstatement. Somewhat like those mindreading marvels on variety shows being supplied with the audience’s c.v.s in advance of the stunning revelation that the gentleman in the blue pullover looks like he works for the co-op and is married with three children and goes hanggliding in his spare time!
However, Rhodri’s colleague in arms or should that be partner in crime does seem to have been acquiring views on the Iraq war and on President Bush.This week’s interview with Peter Hain in the New Statesman is a cracking good read.Peter Hain expresses anguish about the war but still feels that he was right to support the decision to go to war.He believes that Britain should be following an ethical forign policy but he is part of the present cabinet that stopped the Serious Fraud Office investigation into the alleged bribery involving BAE systems and Saudi Arabia.
He claims to be delighted at the advance of the Democrats in the Mid term elections in the USA but no government in living memory has been as close to a US administration as this one is to President Bush’s Republican administration– far closer to them than the Conservative opposition incidentally.
Now there is little sign that Gordon Brown’s Foreign policy will differ materially from that of Tony Blair; he has indeed praised the Prime Minister’s resolution on more than one occasion. It is hard to account for the stance of the Rt. Hon. Member for Neath unless of course it is just a little bit to do with the forthcoming elections for the Deputy Leadership of the Labour Party– I wonder.
