Who is this 'we' John Reid refers to? The poor bloody infantry that are so valued they are cut in numbers and given a pay increase of 0.1% above RPI (don't tell me, the pay was awarded by an 'independent' body - but one that admits it took the governments target figure into account!). I don't see many politicians or labour officials doing more than 'visit' Iraq!
Rant over.....
By the way, O O'Leg, since this thread is entitled 'New Labour spin on Iraq' (which is actually how it started), it is hardly surprising it has a political content!