The Mirror continues to solidify its new (or renewed) position as a radical, campaigning tabloid - today's headline; "No Ethics Please, We're British" fronts a story about Prime Minister Blair's studied moral position on arms sales: "If we didn't sell them, someone else would." As noted in the story - that's the same defence traditionally used by slave traders and drug dealers.

I don't think we should immediately dismantle an entire industry - I'm pragmatic enough to know that the world is a dangerous place, and until it isn't, reasonable defence is prudent. But when we can present no better case for the sale of our products, knowing the uses to which they will be put, than this, we certainly have no room to be lecturing anyone else in the world from any supposed posiition of moral superiority.

Posted on July 26, 2002 09:28 AM

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