bridge too far

Your link quotes Ed Balls and David Miliband. David Miliband is quoted as saying it was time to move on. I'm not quite sure how that can be construed as 'slime'. I'm not defending him at all but he's no more slimy than politicians from other parties looking to move on. Lots of Tories say it's time to move on when the question of Thatcher is raised. But I'm comfortable that, so far, my choice (E Miliband) wasn't in a position of power or influence at the time. Yes maybe he should have resigned his party membership, as I did, but it was easier for me to do so - it didn't affect my career. Somebody asked you why you didn't resign from your career on principle if you thought the war was so wrong.

It is E Miliband we're talking about. I'll allow you some little ground - Ed Balls was just on the news saying, had he been an MP at the time, he would have voted for the war on the available evidence. Many MPs voted for the war on the available eidence - MPs of all political persuasions.

appliance

sucks

Chr**t on a bike - he was an MP! These two guys weren't. Jeez

War was declared in 2003. In 2003 - 2004 Ed Miliband (to quote Wiki) spent a year at Harvard University, to study and lecture at Harvard's Centre for European Studies. Ed Balls was chief economic adviser to HM Treasury from 1999 to 2004 - a Civil Servant. Neither, therefore, in a position to influence Blair as far as the war was concerned. If you come back with the same old b0llox, I'm going to ignore you as I've got better things to do than point out this simple fact time and time again. I wouldn't want you to think you've 'won'.

Your own quote says Balls worked for Gordon Brown, not Tony Blair. He wasn't in a position to influence the outcome of the debate on the war. You might as well argue that the Tories were complicit in the war too, since they voted for it - something that Balls and E. Milliband couldn't do. Like the Tories and many other Labour MPs, they might have believed the 'lies' but they were in no position of power. And, as I said before, Balls was a Civil Servant at the time and, therefore, apolitical. It is quite apparent to me that you don't understand how government, cabinet etc. works.

wake up

But he wasn't an MP or a cabinet member. He wouldn't have had the opportunity to comment on foreign policy, particularly as he was working for the Treasury when war was declared - he was a Civil Servant and they don't express political views. No doubt you'll say that's not the case. Someone I know was appointed to be an Ambassador by D. Milliband. I asked the other day if his job was on the line now that there's a change of government. His answer? "No - I now work for W. Hague. I have to do what the Secretary of State tells me - as a Civil Servant I am paid to not have a POLITICAL opinion."

tarbuck

Just ordinary members, like me. Tony Blair never did pick up the phone to tell me what was going on. However, in common with many other Labour Party members, I did protest against the war once it was declared. I then resigned from the Party, only rejoining once Gordon became leader.

E. Milliband and E. Balls weren't even MPs at the time

mac

Some Labour politicians are very clever but they don't have the gift of foresight. Perhaps you should have stood as well, so you could oppose a war that no-one knew was going to happen? Idiot

jack

cider

talent by-pass

ice bath

The new fad for double-barrelled surnames

Always liked him - pint sized workhorse.

Yay! Brett just scored!

Crackin' game!

I heard on the radio yesterday that Asda are selling the official Umbro ones for £25.

hangers on

Bloody hell :shock: Brilliant free kick equalizer for Blackpool!