I was sorry that Tony Blair got such a big play in Bush's speech, but no word of thanks for all that Canada did. Some public recognition is really in order.

Whilst not wishing to take credit and thanks away from the many good people that deserve it, wherever and whatever their nationality, I think I must take a little exception to the above statement. For you do not have to detract praise from one deserving source in order to give it to another. Just give praise were it is deserved.

This is not based on nationalistic grounds, for I hope this event will bring it home finally to us all, that we all only have one home.

Mr Blair's recognition was for the (as we now see), pretty thankless task of trying to co-ordinate and obtain consensus and support from his fellow European governments.