Blair's decision to go to war

Gordon Brown meets British troops in Iraq [AFP]

15 June 2007

The pressure is mounting for a formal inquiry into the British government's decision to go to war in Iraq.

The rejected motion this week by the opposition Conservative Party was closer than Labour's 61-seat majority, indicating some party members voted against Tony Blair, the British prime minister, who angered many in his party by joining in the war.

The situation was compounded when prime minister-designate, Gordon Brown, the finance minister, made a surprise visit to Iraq to study Britain's participation in the war and met with Nouri al-Maliki, the Iraqi prime minister.

Jasim Al-Azzawi talks to Clare Short, a former British cabinet minister

Critics in Britain are demanding an inquiry to examine how British leaders decided whether to back the US-led invasion in March 2003. They say it is about making sure they do not make the same mistakes again.

What were the real reasons why the British government went to war in Iraq despite harsh international criticisms? What damage has this costly move done to Blair's leadership? Would the new prime minister call for an immediate withdrawal of British troops from Iraq to enhance his political standing?

In this special edition from London this week, Inside Iraq speaks to Clare Short, the former British cabinet minister who resigned from government in 2003 in protest at the Iraq war.

This episode of Inside Iraq originally aired from Friday 15 June 2007

Further Information:

Blair may become Quartet's envoy