A forinight ago, Bagehot argued that although Tony Blair's support for America over Iraq had left him politically exposed, the extent of his vulnerability had been somewhat exaggerated. Popular opposition to war could be largely overcome by a United Nations resolution specifically authorising military intervention. Even without it, and even though a large number of his own MPS would probably vote against him, Mr Blair would still get a substantial majority in a House of Commons vote on the war. Once British forces were in harm's way, if past experience was anything to go by, patriotic support for "our boys" would sweep away many of the doubts about their mission. As long as the war was swift and successful, the prime minister would be home free.
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