Reply to Wakefield Express letter:’Have more respect’ (22nd. July 2005). http://www.wakefieldtoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=733&ArticleID=1092126


It seems both Andrew Longstaff and Howard Miles ought to wise up.
Romanticised views of the past are long gone, well, except in the minds of some politicos, suicide bombers and little englanders. Past events are being rewritten to suit a changing world but the trouble is no one seems quite sure what to write. Indeed, the powers that be will struggle to cohere a vision of unity when that unity is based on loose values – multi faith, multi cultured, sanitised heritage or dodgy humanitarian mission.
New Labours middle class angst plus a school prefect attitude to law and order is a recipe for disaster. Chuck in some mysticism – any flavour and it’s mush at best.
But disparaging our leadership gets us nowhere without condemning their actions. History may yet record Tony Blair as a war criminal, and if we’re not mindful then oureselves by association. After all, isn’t this a favourite trick of those that viewed Germans as inherently war-like and prone to invading other countries?
If the truth be known Higher British intentions were no more worthy than those of their opponents – as true then as now. Not quite two world wars and one world cup anymore but then it’s easy to sing when you’re winning.
Iraq seems to be little more than a vainglorious reality TV project, albeit one with devastating consequences for the Iraqi people. After a decade of sanctions, ‘illegal’ US, UK and French military interventions and direct dealings with Saddam then it’s not too hard to understand why the coalition weren’t met with flower garlands, dancing girls and a ticker tape parade.
Iraqis weren’t fooled and neither should we be. There was never any concern for Iraqi people – this was more about making Bush and Blair look like the good guys.
Iraq won’t go away and as it was an ill conceived venture in the first place all that our leaders have done is create a power vacuum. That’s almost as telling at home as abroad.
Much has been said about official war commemorations from the 200th Anniversary of Trafalgar to the 60th of the end of WW2. Yet these commemorations have been notably tame affairs. Why is this? For fear of arousing passions that are irrational or because society views itself through the prism of victim hood? All of this is worth discussing further.

Maybe that’s something our elites can ponder as they get decadent en Provence.