The Commons will vote next week on whether there should be an independent inquiry into the lessons to be learnt from the Iraq war.
The Tories decided today to stage a debate in Opposition time on the need for an immediate inquiry. Some Labour MPs who opposed the war and the Liberal Democrats will join forces with the Tories. But I expect the call for an investigation to be defeated. Although more Labour MPs want one, they are a tribal bunch and don't like getting into bed with the Tories, so they will abstain or vote against.
Labour MPs have welcomed Gordon Brown's promise that there will be an inquiry, which we revealed in the paper today. But the PM is still saying not yet. Naturally, the Tories and LibDems are asking: if the time is not right as we reach the fifth anniversary of the ill-fated invasion, when will it ever be?
In his letter to the Fabian Society committing himself to an investigation, Brown went further than he has done before, which is to be welcomed. Strangely, his official spokesman has been playing down Brown's words, saying that nothing had changed since he spelled out his policy last September. In fact, the PM made no such commitment then, saying only: "There will be a time to discuss the question." Brown still seems reluctant to address the Iraq issue head on, acting as if he wishes it would go away - or, perhaps, that everyone would just accept it was "Blair's war" and leave him out of it.
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