But the very intensity of those attempts underlines how important it was to succeed. I do not think that anybody could have done better than the Foreign Secretary in working to get support for a second resolution within the Security Council. I applaud the heroic efforts that the Prime Minister has made in trying to secure a second resolution.

I have no sympathy with, and I will give no comfort to, those who want to use this crisis to displace him. I hope that he will continue to be the leader of our party, and I hope that he will continue to be successful. The present Prime Minister is the most successful leader of the Labour party in my lifetime.

I have chosen to address the House first on why I cannot support a war without international agreement or domestic support. On this occasion I can say with complete confidence that no press interview has been given before this statement. It was frequently the necessity for me as Leader of the House to talk my way out of accusations that a statement had been preceded by a press interview. Speaker, by the opportunity of working closely with you. None of those 20 years were more enjoyable or more rewarding than the past two, in which I have had the immense privilege of serving this House as Leader of the House, which were made all the more enjoyable, Mr. I must confess that I had forgotten how much better the view is from here. This is the first time for 20 years that I have addressed the House from the Back Benches.

Heart of Oak by David Cook