Politics is power - the Iraq inquiry. A good example of power within politics is the Iraq inquiry, which is looking at the events, which occurred in the run up for the invasion to the present date

University Degree Historical and Philosophical studies

Politics is Power – The Iraq Inquiry

A good example of power within politics is the Iraq inquiry, which is looking at the events, which occurred in the run up for the invasion to the present date, which dates from 2001 – 2009. It scrutinises the reasons for going to war, weather or not the troops were properly prepared, and any planning for the war’s consequences. Arguments against the inquiry consist of why it has taken so long to begin especially seeing as there was strong opposition to the war in 2001. More military figures are seen to be needed within the inquiry to answer questions involving troop preparation and planning. The main reasons for the inquiry surround the legitimacy of going to war in the first place, after the cease fire which ended the first gulf war, and the fact that ‘179 British service personnel were killed in Iraq between 2003 and 2009. Tens of thousands of Iraqi civilians died over the period, though estimates vary considerably.’ (bbc.co.uk, 2009) All this for a war, which currently seems illegitimate.

There have currently been 6 people give evidence since the start of the inquiry, ranging from Sir Christopher Meyer (ambassador to the United States from 1997 and 2003) to Tony Blair’s foreign policy adviser, Sir David manning, who said ‘absolutely prepared to say he was willing to contemplate regime change if [UN-backed measures] did not work’ (guardian.co.uk, 2009) This shows that Even before the Un measures had been tried out, that Tony Blair was prepared to go to war, this was 11 months before the Iraq invasion, this goes against the Un charter as going to war due to regime change was unlawful. This shows that due to the power he had ad the time, Tony Blair thought it was ok to go against the UN and affect thousands of people’s lives.

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The questions that are currently being asked witnesses involve UK foreign policy between 2001 and 2003, and also relations between the UK and US during this time period. As it was during this time that Tony Blair decided to go against the UN to support George Bush. The main focus however revolves around the intelligence which was available surrounding possible weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and the decisions made based on this, including ‘events at the UN in the run-up to war, including the negotiation of UN Security Resolution 1441’ (bbc.co.uk, 2009) This found Iraq in breach of the ceasefire agreement which finished the first gulf war, as they refused to comply with weapons inspectors, they were warned that there would be ‘serious consequences’ (bbc.co.uk, 2009) Which does imply military action, the UN however when it came to it, were unprepared to use force to remove these weapons of mass destruction.

People who will be appearing before the end of 2009 include Sir John Scarlett, who was the head of the joint intelligence committee. It was his ‘dossier on the threat posed by Iraq and its WMD capability caused such controversy before and after the war.’ (bbc.co.uk 2009) Sir John Scarlett’s question will prove vital to the inquiry, as it was his dossier, which debatably proved that Iraq was developing weapons of mass destruction. Another key figure who will be interviewed before the end of the year is Sir John Sawers, who was Tony Blair’s private secretary between 1999 and 2001, he will be able to tell the committee why he advised Tony Blair to become to close to George Bush and disregard UN regulations.

The most important people who need to be questioned however is undoubtedly Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and Jack Straw, who are ‘Senior members of the government who committed UK troops to war’ (bbc.co.uk, 2009) These few people who held the most power in England at the time the decision was made to go to war. It was their power, which resulted in thousands of lives being put at risk or even killed. Sir Christopher Meyer even implies that George Bush used his power to influence Tony Blair’s decision to support the war for regime change, ‘Sir Christopher Meyer said no officials were at the Bush family ranch talks - but the next day Mr. Blair mentioned regime change for the first time.’ (bbc.co.uk, 2009)

The inquiry has also reached members of the public who have had relatives killed in Iraq, they have criticized the wars legitimacy and are bitter about their family members dying for a war in which the public seemed to of been lied to, the reasoning behind this being, ‘Sir John said the meetings would inform how he proceeds with its investigation and what areas he would focus on when questioning,’ (bbc.co.uk, 2009) this is showing that even though Tony Blair did hold the most power at the time the decision was made to go to war, he is still able to be scrutinized by the public.

Due to the nature of the inquiry, and how much the war affects the country as a whole, from major politicians such as Gordon Brown, to the general public, the decision was made to make the inquiry held in the public eye. Gordon Brown seemed to agree with this, ‘Prime Minister announced the inquiry, he claimed that national security would be the only legitimate barrier to full disclosure’ (times-online, 2009) then making a u-turn on this by imposing other restrictions to protect economic and

Commercial interests, using his power to prevent aspects of the report showing he doesn’t want to be made public.

This inquiry is the perfect example of power in politics, from Tony Blair using his power to ignore the UN, to Gordon Brown using his power to disclose parts of the inquiry which will inevitably show him and other Labour ministers in a bad light. This affects the public substantially as, due so certain bits of information being hidden, they may never know fully weather the war was legal and for the right reasons.

Bibliography

BBC News (Author unknown). (2009) ‘The key points of the Iraq war inquiry explained.’ [Internet], 1 December.

<> [accessed 7 December 2009]

Brown, D. and Hines, N. (2009) ‘Gordon Brown accused of suffocating the Chilcot inquiry’ [Internet], 25 November. <http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6931594.ece> [accessed 7 December 2009]

Norton-Taylor, R. (2009) ‘ Iraq Inquiry: Blair told Bush he was willing to join 11 months before War’ [Internet], 30 November. < >[accessed 7 December 2009]

Walters, S. (2009) ‘Iraq Inquiry bombshell: Secret letter to reveal new Blair War lies’ [Internet], 29 November. <> [accessed 7 December 2009]