If Labour are trying to install the kind of democracy they have at Westminster in Baghdad, then not only is the method wrong, but they are entirely the wrong people to do it.
To say, as the governnment have, that now is not the right time for an inquiry because it would give succour those fighting British troops in
Iraq, is to accuse the Americans of doing exactly that. Over the
Atlantic, the Baker commission is right this minute looking into the
details pre and post invasion.
All Parliament was asked to do last night was set up an inquiry to look at the government's conduct around the Iraq war. Even the Tories, who supported the war, backed it. Labour MPs, in extremely twisted loyalty to Blair, refused. They claim it's all been a big success, but don't want anyone to ask any questions about it.
As Simon Jenkins says in today's Guardian: "The Commons has become little more than an electoral college for the prime minister."
Grant Thoms has got a list of 12 MPs who backed the original Early Day Motion that brought forward this debate, but who then miraculously changed their minds last night e.g. Neil Gerrard. This would have reduced the government majority to 1. BSSC also lists the further 9 EDM signing "toadies" that didn't turn up to vote at all (explanations for absenses may roll in - one reason all MPs should have blogs). This would have meant a government defeat of 8.
And then we have the converts to the war. Yesterday, people that claim to be anti-war voted with the government and couldn't bring themselves to back a simple inquiry. Step forward Sadiq Khan and Shahid Malik for example. Gordon Prentice and Mohammad Sarwar did not turn up. But I also reflect on the fact that 138 Labour MPs rebelled on that famous vote on the eve of war. Admittedly some aren't there after the 2005 elections. But that doesn't account for the fact there are only 12 rebels yesterday who aren't even saying they were against war - just that there should be an inquiry. Has Labour opinion come more in favour of the war despite everything that's happened?
Opportunity lost - for now. Blair hasn't heard the last of this though.