Well, indeed, Mark. I seem to recall a sizable body of public opinion then thought that Britain should wait and go through the U.N. (and an equally sizable body thought we should nuke Buenos Aires). That mattered not one whit to Mrs T and her capable First Sea Lord. Yet more evidence that Tony Blair isn’t fit to shine Mrs T’s shoes.

The other difference, however, is that we had a navy capable of mustering a sizable and effective Task Force within three days. Today, as Arthur Herman reminded us this week, because of decisions taken by the current Prime Minister, the Royal Navy is as effective as the Belgian Navy. Yet more evidence for why Tony Blair’s memory should be despised by every thinking conservative.

So, even if Tony Blair had the resolve, he couldn’t do anything (except perhaps nuke Tehran, which might be seen as a bit of an overreaction).

And he can’t even get his beloved U.N. to say tut-tut while wagging its finger.

Blair has made me ashamed to be British this week. My only consolation is perhaps it will make the British people realize how utterly useless the U.N. is.