No military timetable should compel war when a successful outcome, namely a disarmed Iraq may be feasible without war, for example by allowing more time to the UN inspectors.

The tragedy of 9/11 galvanised the American superpower into action, leaving us in Europe divided in its wake.

A genuinely democratic Iraq might well act as a fresh spur.

Margaret Thatcher, growing up in a bombed and battered Britain, derived a distrust which has grown with the years not just of Germany but of all continental Europe.

Margaret Thatcher was fearful of German unification because she believed that this would bring an immediate and formidable increase of economic strength to a Germany which was already the strongest economic partner in Europe.

We should be wary of politicians who profess to follow history while only noticing those signposts of history that point in the direction which they themselves already favour.

It is normal for politicians in all countries to profess themselves the pupils of history, anxious to draw the right lessons from her teaching.