Recall Yourselves

I really wouldn't blame any MP who voted either way on military intervention this time. But that is what there now needs to be: a parliamentary vote.

The suspension of arms export licenses to Israel also needs to be put to one. About 80 per cent of Labour MPs would vote in favour, and the other 20 per cent would usefully be identified.

For Blairism is becoming increasing secessionist: those who want only an urban, metropolitan, upper-middle-class, more-or-less (often fiercely) secular, economically neoliberal, socially ultra-liberal, Green-over-Red, internationally hawkish, European federalist, "Atlanticist" and Likudnik party are preparing for the SDP Mark II, which awaits the same fate as the SDP Mark I.

Some have already gone. Today's spat between Dan Hodges and James Bloodworth on Jeremy Vine showed that the division was opening up between the splitters and the stayers, with Hodges as a kind of outrider, a latter-day Dick Taverne or Reg Prentice.

Although not the topic of the discussion, a Commons division on the continued arming of Israel might be as catalytic as that on accession to the European Communities was, but catalytic of a far more rapid process. For that division to occur in time, however, there would need to be a recall of Parliament. As in any case there ought to be over Iraq.

Then again, why wait? MPs ought now to recall themselves to an appropriate venue, of which there are several in London and plenty elsewhere, in order to hold debates leading to votes that even on the floor of the House do not in these matters have any binding force.

As much as anything else, that would expose the idiocy of MPs' taking themselves off home or on holiday for such a vast tranche of the year, including what is always the most belligerent season and month.