Robin Cook's resignation speech part 1 MUST watch and re-watch

[Andre II]

Run time: 05:47 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heWJuAPO9zw   Posted on YouTube: March 06, 2007 By YouTube Member: setfree69 Views on YouTube: 29498   Posted on DU: March 31, 2008 By DU Member: Andre II Views on DU: 987

 
Watch this historical speech from Robin Cook on March 17, 2003 explaining why he steps down from UK government.
The very first speech in the House of Commons EVER to end in a standing ovation.
Full of wisdom and very moving.

[screembloodymurder]

1. At least he spoke up, but

I have a problem with people who step aside for tyrants. Why not stay and fight?

[muriel_volestrangler]

2. You can't 'stay and fight' in cabinet government

The whole idea of it is that you are accepting joint responsibility for the decisions the cabinet comes to (even if, as in this case, far too many of the cabinet just follow the leader without asking questions). So he resigned from the cabinet, which gave him the freedom to make this speech - which did more for making the anti-war case in Parliament than anything else did. Contrast his actions with Clare Short, who gave some interviews seeming to show she was against the invasion, then backtracked, because she wasn't resigning from the cabinet, then voted with Blair, and then resigned a couple of months later - she just looked indecisive, and no-one thought she helped the anti-war case. Cook's actions were the best thing to do.

[Jack Rabbit]

3. K/R

[Texifornia]

4. I was in Britain

at the time. Blair was almost frantic to get that second resolution. Cook's speech was all over the news.

I remember the protest at the Houses of Parliament...all so precient.