posted on May 22, 2005 05:12:39 AM
Don't kill the messenger.
BLAIR: PRESIDON'T COME HERE DUBYA
May 22 2005
PM faces nightmare visit by Bush
Exclusive By Paul Gilfeather Political Editor
US President George Bush has delivered Tony Blair the nightmare news he was dreading: "I'm coming to stay."
The PM was hoping to complete his term in office without having to host the right-wing Republican again.
But President Bush is determined to make one final trip to the UK as leader of the western world.
The news has horrified No.10 aides who believe his arrival could smash the uneasy truce between Mr Blair and Labour backbenchers following the Iraq war.
Mr Blair desperately needs the backing of all his MPs as he tries to push through the Commons controversial new laws on ID cards, the tightening of incapacity benefits and city academies.
He now fears they could rebel over Bush's visit and wreck the historic package of 50 bills - and the legacy he intends leaving behind.
The PM's close relationship with hard-liner Bush and the Iraq conflict cost Labour hundreds of thousands of votes at the General Election.
A senior government source revealed: "The Prime Minister believes he has made significant progress in moving on from the problems of Iraq.
"And the mending of fences was demonstrated at his first meeting with Labour MPs after the election when he was given a standing ovation.
"But emotions are still running high and a visit from George Bush is the last thing we need.
"The next 18 months will see Tony attempt to leave a lasting legacy. But many of these measures are controversial and already face a rough ride in the Commons.
"There is a real fear that Bush's visit could tip the balance in the wrong direction for us and the bitterness felt by many backbenchers will be brought back to the surface at the worst possible time."
With a majority of just 67, it would take only 34 Labour MPs to vote with the opposition to sink the government's plans.
The PM acknowledged on election night that Iraq had been "a deeply divisive issue". He said that "after this election, people want to move on".
This was taken as code by many that his friendship with the hard-line Republican would be put in the deep freeze.
And it's been made clear to the US that never again will a Labour government provide such staunch backing in the face of such public opposition.
This switch in positioning is seen by many in the White House as the reason Bush has put the brakes on military action against Iran.
However, British defence chiefs in Iraq have had to plead with US generals to rein in their "trigger happy" troops. Army top brass warned that unless the US changed their rules on opening fire, they could face another 10 years battling insurgents.
A senior source said: "US troops tend to be pretty trigger happy. Their attitude is shoot first and ask questions later. They won't take any risk.
"When it was explained that our rules of engagement were to use minimum force, the US guys just laughed."
