And Here We Are Again

Standing in front of No 10, Mr Blair acknowledged that Iraq had been a "deeply divisive issue", but said he believed the country was now ready to move on. (Guardian)

The stuff of Hollywood: Gruff, macho, authoritarian but basically well-intentioned Marine Dad (played by Tony) versus surly, sulky, insubordinate but basically well-meaning Son (played with slightly whimsical charm by the electorate). Provoked beyond words by Dad's thoughtless self-righeousness, and egged on by the evil kid on the block (George Galloway at his Muslim-pandering slickest), Son gives Dad a bloody nose, much to the distress of Mom (unless I am mistaken, the role of a lifetime here for Polly Toynbee). Dad staggers back a couple of steps, shakes his head, considers getting Son put under an ASBO... but no. With a rueful smile, Dad extends his hand towards Son in a gesture of peace and reconciliation.

"If you'd a had the guts to do that two years ago, none a this bad stuff would a happened... Put it there, Son. I'll buy you a beer and get you laid."

New Labour script directions (specially prepared; boneless, meatless, verbless for the public's delectation): Music up. Tears and smiles. Hugs and kisses. Lessons. Morals. Credits. The End. Sequel 2009.

So that's all right, then. Tony has gained his historic third term; his place in the history books as the historic Labour prime minister who historically gained a historic third term is assured; and the geometrically challenged British public can at last join with Tony in drawing that line under Iraq. Lessons are being learned even as we grimace; or at least, the one lesson Tony is capable of learning. One of the first acts of his historic third term was to fire Alan Milburn; clearly, another repackaging is in order.