Just conclusion 3

I was astonished by Sir Harry Kroto's view of Tony Blair and Iraq. Now we have the solution to the dilemmas of modern statecraft: listen to reasonable people. I am sure the prime minister is kicking himself. Let us select a panel of reasonable people immediately and listen intently.

Kroto's other suggestion is also a world-beater: play chess. No doubt the notion that one sees one's adversary's perspective to predict their response is a major innovation in diplomacy. So that's what the Foreign Office has been doing wrong. Let's bring in chess boards immediately.

But all this is futile anyway because, as Kroto tells us, "the only predictable thing is that the response will be unpredictable". So why bother?

Obviously the legal advice the government received as to the legality of the war must have been faulty, so let's get rid of lawyers and hold opinion polls. Then perhaps we wouldn't have invaded Iraq.

Of course, Saddam would have continued to murder his citizens, emboldened by having won his showdown with the United Nations. At least only Iraqis would be dying. And Blair wouldn't have to pray for a way out.

Nicholas Tucker
Oxford