Editorial

That war will take place seems certain. Bush's 'axis of evil' speech to the US Congress confirmed what many people suspected, that the war against Afghanistan was only the beginning. The fact that Tony Blair is to visit Washington in a few weeks, where, we are told, 'action against Iraq will be top of the agenda,' confirms that an attack is imminent.

While he travelled the world spreading the gospel, Tony Blair forgot one important fact - the problems back home are mounting. This is most starkly seen in the continuing deterioration of public services. The railway system teeters on the brink of collapse, and schools and hospitals continue to suffer from years of underinvestment. The decision by Blair and Brown to stick to Tory spending plans in their first two years in office is now having serious repercussions. All the anger that the union leaders put on hold following 11 September has returned with a vengence.