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Who Heeded Cook Robin?

by | 10th, January 2007

“ROBIN COOK”

And so it begins.

Politicians love to have the last word.

On Cook’s headstone at Grange Cemetery in Edinburgh, the legend reads: “Parliamentarian and Statesman. Born 28th February 1946. Died 6th August 2005. Beloved husband of GAYNOR and much missed father of CHRIS and PETE.”

Interesting it is that Cook’s job should come before any mention of his family, and that his family – although not his first wife – should be mentioned in a shout.

The “Statesman” was married to GAYNOR! He was dad to CHRIS! and PETER!

Historians and parties of school children visiting the grave as part of their GCSEs in War On Terror will left be in no doubt as to what Cook did for a living and the names of his nearest and dearest.

And there is more. Here it is: “I may not have succeeded in halting the war, but I did secure the right of Parliament to decide on war.”

It’s all very important. Quotes on graves often are, what with them being the final word. The words are carefully chosen to reflect the person whose remains are entombed beneath the slap.

This inscription was selected not by Cook but by GAYNOR. It is a quote found in the former Foreign Secretary’s memoirs, Point of Departure.

It harks back to Cook’s criticism of Tony Blair’s decision to go to war in Iraq. You will remember that MPs voted against a motion that stated the case for war “had not yet been established”.

It says something about the man that the inscription begins with the word “I”. And that the ensemble of headstone and plinth stands at 5ft 4in high. That is a mere two inches shorter than the gnome-like Cook once stood.

Perhaps that says most of all…



Posted: 10th, January 2007 | In: Broadsheets Comment | TrackBack | Permalink