The military, political and international relations disaster that has been Britain's combat mission in Iraq has come to an end. Our engagement lasted longer than the Second World War. At the closing ceremony they read out the list of the dead. It took 25 minutes.
Tony Blair realised the potential of the superb British Army to help him along internationally. He committed more troops into more places than anyone since Churchill. Blair is a hero in Sierra Leone. The dead corporals and sergeants are not. It is Blair who makes a fortune from speaking engagements in America, where his actions have often been described as 'brave'.
In future, when British troops are committed abroad a cabinet member and a junior minister should be present when the coffins come back. They should meet the soldiers' families, just to know what it is like when you send troops into battle.
Look at your watch. 25 minutes.
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