We need a public enquiry into Iraq

Having a private enquiry into the Iraq War is a bit like telling your psychologist that you have a great relationship with your father because he's the King of the Mer People. It might make you feel good inside but it won't solve the underlying crux of the problem.

Alastair Campbell may well try to prop up Labour's regrettable position in refusing a public enquiry into Iraq in saying that it "won't make any difference" because people have already "made their minds up".

This, for me, is as strong a reason as any to hold an open enquiry. A hard-headed public have gotten the wrong end of the stick according to the former (and latterly current) Labour spin doctor so why not have a no-holds barred, warts and all analysis of how we ended up in Baghdad and learn the lessons of the past? I fear Alastair is not giving the public enough credit in concluding on our behalf that we are too pig-headed to hear all the evidence, read a report and then judge a situation for ourselves.

I, for one, have not fully made my mind up over whether it was the right decision to steam into the Middle East without UN backing but in the absence of a strong case for the defence the lazy charges of 'we were there for the oil' and 'Blair was just Bush's poodle' seep into my mind and fill the gaping void that this public enquiry could and should fill instead.

My deepest instinct is that Tony Blair would not have allowed himself to be ruled by either the poodle or oil factor and, consequently, if the Government can look back and communicate the what, why, when and how of the past decade then this former critic will have changed his mind, a difference being made that Mr Campbell finds impossible.

But there is a wider consideration, that of a Government that has redacted so frequently and on so many subjects that any remaining credibility needs to be built upon. I mean, is there much of a difference between scoring a big black line through your expenses claims and scoring a big black line through a public enquiry? Not much I reckon.

The past month has seen Gordon Brown appearing to be on the wrong side of crucial judgements. From the blacking out of expenses information to initially refusing to release the report on Shahid Malik. From being unable to see that the Speaker had to go to underestimating the sympathy the British people had with the plight of the Gurkhas. The British people cannot be glossed over with a big fat marker pen however hard the PM may try.

Obfuscation, political manoeuvring, damage limitation, private briefings against colleagues. Gordon Brown's time at Number 10 has been one long redaction of transparent and open debate. If his moral compass hadn't gone haywire over the past couple of years he would have had the clarity to see that the public are not receiving the respect we deserve.

If Gordon Brown doesn't hold a truly public enquiry into the Iraq War then we can only conclude that the PM is telling himself that he is the King of the Mer People and he is enjoying a good relationship with his people.

That won't stop us getting our own pens out and redacting Gordon and New Labour at the next General Election I'm afraid.