As stated in “The Report of the Iraq Inquiry – Executive Summary:” “294. In his memoir, Mr Blair described his speech opening the debate on 18 March as ‘the most important speech I had ever made’.
295. Mr Blair framed the decision for the House of Commons as a ‘tough’ and ‘stark’ choice between ‘retreat’ and holding firm to the course of action the Government had set. Mr Blair stated that he believed ‘passionately’ in the latter. He deployed a wide range of arguments to explain the grounds for military action and to make a persuasive case for the Government’s policy.
296. In setting out his position, Mr Blair recognized the gravity of opposition in both the country and Parliament to immediate military action. In his view, the issue mattered ‘so much’ because the outcome would not just determine the fate of the Iraqi people but would:
295. Mr Blair framed the decision for the House of Commons as a ‘tough’ and ‘stark’ choice between ‘retreat’ and holding firm to the course of action the Government had set. Mr Blair stated that he believed ‘passionately’ in the latter. He deployed a wide range of arguments to explain the grounds for military action and to make a persuasive case for the Government’s policy.
296. In setting out his position, Mr Blair recognized the gravity of opposition in both the country and Parliament to immediate military action. In his view, the issue mattered ‘so much’ because the outcome would not just determine the fate of the Iraqi people but would:
‘… determine the way in which Britain and the world confront the central security threat of the 21st century, the development of the United States, the relations within the European Union and the way in which the United States engages with the rest of the world. So it could hardly be more important. It will determine the pattern of international politics for the next generation.’ “
– Commissioned by the Prime Minister The Right Honourable Gordon Brown MP, “The Report of the Iraq Inquiry: Executive Summary,” IraqInquiry.org.uk, March 18, 2003