I will not apologise for war, says Blair
But he appealed to conference delegates: “Whatever disagreements we have had, (we) should unite in our determination to stand by the Iraqi people until the job is done.”
Despite tight security the premier was interrupted as he began his speech with a heckler shouting: “You have got blood on your hands.”
Mr Blair hit back: “That’s fine, sir. You can make your protest. Just thank goodness we live in a democracy and you can.”
After he was interrupted again, apparently by hunt supporters, the premier said: “Excuse me, but if there’s any more of you do you mind standing up now?”
Mr Blair went on to deliver his rallying cry, saying: “Here we are, facing the possibility unique in our 100-year history of governing Britain for a third successive term.
“Never done it before, never debated it before, never imagined it before.”
He also dismissed speculation that he had wanted to stifle discussion on Iraq, saying: “That was never my intention. I want to deal with it head on.”
He said: “The evidence about Saddam having actual biological and chemical weapons, as opposed to the capability to develop them, has turned out to be wrong. I acknowledge that and accept it.”
But he went on: “The problem is I can apologise for the information that turned out to be wrong but I can’t, sincerely at least, apologise for removing Saddam. The world is a better place with Saddam in prison, not in power.”
He acknowledged the issue had divided the country and said he understood why many disagreed with him.
Mr Blair added: “Do I know I’m right? Judgments aren’t the same as facts. Instinct is not science. I’m like any other human being, as fallible and as capable of being wrong. I only know what I believe.”
Mr Blair also pledged to make the revival of the Middle East peace process “a personal priority” after the US presidential elections in November.
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