Free Republic

Former Northern Ireland secretary Mo Mowlam has died, aged 55. She was admitted to hospital following a fall at home and never regained consciousness. She had previously suffered a brain tumour. Ms Mowlam, Labour MP for Redcar between 1987-2001, oversaw the talks which led to the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. Tony Blair paid tribute saying Ms Mowlam was one of the shrewdest political minds he had encountered as well as a "remarkable personality". "[She was] great company, utterly irreverent, full of life and fun," Mr Blair said in a statement. "Yet behind that extraordinary front presented to the world was...

MOWLAM: WE MUST STEP UP BOMBING Apr 1 2003 By Mo MowlamWHERE do we go now? Over the weekend journalists, generals and academics all suggested the war will be much longer than originally anticipated. All those politicians happy to use the crass expression “shock and awe” before war broke out, are now suggesting they knew all along the war could be long and drawn out.  [Only some, not all]I have always been opposed to this war. And much of my objection was tied to my fear that it would only exacerbate the anti-western feelings in the Muslim world.My worst fears...