A specific reason
Meanwhile everyone is cross with Theresa May.
Time and again at a press conference at Downing Street this morning the prime minister spelled out the strikes that took place overnight were limited, targeted and a response to the suspected use of chemical weapons in Douma.
With no clear indication of public support or consent, she time and again was at pains to say that she had authorised action for a specific reason – to punish President Assad for gassing his own people, as the government believes he has.
She will face an almighty row in the coming days over going ahead without consulting Parliament.
Her defence is that “security and operational reasons” meant the attack had to go ahead overnight.
But her critics are pushing back.
To try to close down a giant fight, the government is publishing a summary of the legal advice later today.
But while the strikes themselves were limited, Theresa May’s mission is a broader one – to force a return to respect for the international rules that are meant to prevent the use of chemical weapons.
No stinks, just bangs.
Lots of us have been cross with Julius Treeza for eight years, so nothing new there.
She might well be on dodgy ground, too.
I trust that everyone who blathers on about Tony Blair being a “war criminal” will be just as vociferous about May. At least Blair consulted Parliament and gained approval for his actions. So, two war criminals as Prime Minister in the last twenty years. Go us.
It is worth noting that the trouble she is walking into with Parliament will not be a usual suspects event. She faces criticism not only from Labour but also from the other parties and significant members in her own back benches, including those who will be listened to by all.
#1
And on both occasions, they did so as part of a broader diplomatic strategy: to suck up to the US war criminal counterpart.