If our country was not divided and broken enough, politicians are again talking about war, at least American politicians. Where America goes, we usually follow. And so it is that President Trump steps up the rhetoric against Iran.
Politicians like their wars. In our country alone, Margaret Thatcher took us to war against Argentina after her government had messed up spectacularly over the future of the Falkland Islands. Later, she declared war against the coal miners. Tony Blair had Iraq, David Cameron had Libya. Theresa May, led by her hatchet man Jeremy Hunt (alternative spellings are available), went to war against NHS doctors. What next for Donald Trump and – God help us – prime minister Boris Johnson?
We have weird levels of understanding about the military wars in which we are involved. World War One saw the wounded and maimed not feted but looked upon as eye-sores. People looked away. It took years before their sacrifices were properly respected. Similarly, victory over Nazi Germany felt more like defeat as President Truman promptly ended Lease Lend Aid to Britain, leaving our country poor and damaged. This was the thanks we got for standing up to Hitler. Go away and starve. It is as well we look back and remember the world as it was, not the sepia coloured version we have been told to believe.
For all we know, Trump could be right about Iran. Maybe they need to be dealt with. When a man who has taken money (£20,000 of it, for services to state controlled TV) from the hangers of gay men from cranes, one Jeremy Corbyn, expresses his concerns about American action, it could be that the Mad Mullahs of Tehran need to be dealt with. I don’t honestly know.
Do not doubt, for one second, if Trump takes action against Iran, our government will rally to the cause. And once again, British lives will be on the frontline.
I’m far from convinced we, as a nation, have learned anything from past conflicts when we know there are damaged ex service personnel living on the streets. Is that so different from the great ignored from WW1?
