Farewell Robin Cook

I will never forget Robin Cook's resignation over the UK's decision to go into Iraq, and the brilliant speech he made to the British Parliament to announce it. Until then he'd struck me as a pragmatic workhorse of a politician - and certainly no passionate trailblazer for peace. Indeed, many of his Foreign Office initiatives when he had held the portfolio had been far from inspiring.

But that speech to the Parliament.....
It vindicated all those millions of voices against war. He was the public, authoritative voice of dissent - far louder, more credible and more articulate than the fence-sitting Clare Short.




At a time when the world needs more conscientious, clever, kind, humble public figures; not less - what a terrible time for you to go, Robin. You will be missed, and never forgotten.



To see Robin set down in print for eternity:

http://politics.guardian.co.uk/Columnists/Archive/0,9328,-1682,00.html