British Opposition To Iraq War Growing

Approaching the 4th anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, many American politicians are being asked to justify their initial positions on the war.

And in Britain, Prime Minister Tony Blair is facing a grilling too, reports CBS News foreign correspondent Elizabeth Palmer.

"I have on every occasion expressed my sadness, sorrow and grief," Mr. Blair said recently. "I understand for these families it is a time of immense grief, but I can't say what I don't believe. I don't believe it was the wrong thing to get rid of Saddam."

Millions of Britons didn't agree with their prime minister when he decided to join the war. They still don't.

A music video lampooning Blair has become an instant Internet hit. And when Sky Television viewers were asked this week, Was it right to invade Iraq? 82 percent voted "no."

Tony Blair is not saying he's sorry, but he is not saying his army's staying either.

In fact, the British troop draw down has already begun.

About 1,600 soldier will withdraw before the summer. That will leave just 5,500 soldiers in the south, an area already largely under Iraqi military command.

As a result the British military mission is just marking time, according to Colonel Tim Collins.

"They stay inside their bases, so actually they are not doing a great deal of good at the moment," said Collins.

At least 166 British soldiers have been killed so far in Iraq. More than a thousand have been wounded.

And a major political casualty, says biographer John Rentoul, has been Prime Minister Tony Blair.

"Oh yes, I mean there's no question that Iraq has ended his period as prime minister," said Rentoul. "I mean in effect he's been living on borrowed time since 2003."

Blair has already said he will leave the prime minister's office this summer. When he does, President George Bush will have lost his own staunchest international ally.