Is Becks responsible for the Iraq war?

Posted by Jane Murphy

 

Now, David Beckham can be held responsible for a lot of things - including a plethora of silly haircuts, men in sarongs and England’s failure to progress past the quarter-finals in the 1998 World Cup (although that last one’s debatable - I still blame the ref).

And, obviously, he's squarely to blame for those silly Emporio Armani undies ads (although he has just denied rumours that he's set to pose in one with Angelina Jolie, fact fans).

He can even be called to question over the growing trend for OTT body art - as proven by the new ring-o'-roses tattoo on his already-quite-full-up left arm (showcased in our pic).

But is he really to blame for Britain’s role in the Iraq war? Scottish rocker John McClure certainly seems to think so.

In an interview with the Daily Mirror, the Reverend & The Makers frontman says he’s convinced the UK Government would have backed down over the war if superstars such as Becks had rallied public support against it.

“If David Beckham had spoken out about Iraq, it wouldn’t have happened,” he insists.

“I honestly believe that, hand on heart. Beckham’s cultural gravitas was such in that period that if he’d have gone, ‘I don’t want this war in Iraq, it’s an awful thing, we should not do it’, it wouldn’t have happened. The public would have gone mad against it.

“But because he kept his gob shut - and everybody else did - it happened. We sleepwalked our way there.”

Er… I seem to recall the public “going mad against it”, even without a rallying call from Mr B. So would it really have made a jot of difference to Government policy if Becks had spoken out against the war? Tell us what you think.

Pictures: Wenn

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Comments

[kk]

I LIKE men in sarongs!!!

[JR]

Has John McClure gone made?! What an idiot..

[Jo]

I wonder if he wasn't saying this 'tongue in cheek'? Just a thought??

[bob lancelott]

i agree with you lorna only a scot could talk such crap and becks was'nt even at bannockburn

[Sylvia]

It is a shame that John McClure doesn't appear to have much common sense. He should stop spouting such trivia and concern himself about things that really matter.

[screwy kork]

beckham maybe able to bend a football. the u no wat who sent british troops to war can bend EVERYTHING while wearing a smile and a cloak of decenty .( appologise to bob dylan)god bless blair cos he is the only that will

[Graham]

Yet another ono entity using David Beckham's name to get attention.

[Dave]

Ha Ha Ha, haven't laughed soo much in ages, get him on the Michael McIntyre roadshow!

[steve]

The posts make interesting reading - from the bitterness of Mr Hard to the practical common sense from Sylvia. Personally, I'm stunned that this no doubt wasted band frontman would offer his somewhat ridiculous polititical opinion to a person in a postion to then write it in the media! The war was created by faceless beuraucrats in a manner that was intended to deceive the public into beleiving it was for our own good and was ultimately a battle over oil - so where does one of Englands greatest ever football players come in?? McClure - brainless goon. Beckham - a wonderful ambassador to his sport. This from a Scotsman. To our boys abroad in a war they cannot win - may god walk with you.

[Sylvia]

You need to get a life 'Hard' you are almost as ridiculous at John McClure. I think you are taking things a bit too far.

[Lotty]

The only reason this silly story has been given prominence is because David Beckham was mentioned. He could have mentioned any "iconic" figure and it would have been commented upon. Lets be honest if the reverend and the makers front man had mentioned Mrs Jones down the road, nobody would even have heard the silly statement. It's just a storm in a teacup. Ridiculous really. Can't imagine why I bothered to even add a comment!

[Hard]

Half the kids in my area can bend it like Beckham. I was bending it long before him, and have a few more tricks , besides. Not like "our hero".
For your info, i 'm not trying to insult him, he probably couldn't read it.
I'm trying to bend people away from beckham. I'm afraid some are too far gone... ahem...

[Victoria]

Aktually eyem knot fikk andd neeether iss Daveed. Heees the greatist foot baller ever and wot a studd- urrr all just jeelows.

[LynnLfc]

Err, isn't Jon McClure from Sheffield? Last I heard that was in England

[Hard]

Hey Hardly, i was half expecting that response. (jealous).
I am jealous of the fact that such a halfwit is given more respect than myself, having done more for society in a week, than that money machine will ever do.
I'm not really materialistic, having experienced its dark side. Jealousy is for teenagers, and wags etc, and people with needs.
I like to let out some anger on these forums, not on a daily basis, just when i see extreme cases of society acting stupid. Or just a photo of a Beckham.
Join me, in my rapidly growing band of like minded HUMAN beings.
Oh, and don't try and insult me with jealousy jibes, i'm way way ahead of you.
Thanks.

[Nancy]

This country has definately totally gone to the dogs with stupid statements like the above from John McClure???
It's people like him that don't help one little bit in
sorting out the rotten mess we are in. Go back to school and learn and then come back with some more constructive comments and then perhaps people will be able to have some hope of the future.

[... ...]

Hard | 15 July 2009 at 11:45

Can you bend it like Beckham?

Thought not. Then don't insult the man.

[Maggie:]

Does he really believe that rubbish, Since when has the stupid government listened to the people who elected them? He will be one of us Scots who would'nt support England in the world cup, By the way I was born in Dundee..

[Hard]

who keeps removing my posts ?

[Hard]

Lets hope he retires somewhere nice and quiet, aaaahhhh he deserves it after all the hard work he and his trusty partner have done. Rebecca, i mean trudy... err whats the little skinny moose called.... Victoria . got there .
Completely talentless, both of them. I hope you two get pestered all your bleedin life by the paparazzi. You deserve it. Greedy pair of idle gobshytes.....

[HARD LEY]

Bit Jealous Hard ?

[Gary MacAir]

The fact hes scottish makes no difference theres minorities like this idiot in every country (yes even england).

What a load of rubbish

[Richard P]

What a twit. Besides, there is no garuantee that Becks was against the war in Iraq. Just becuase somone is a popular figure doesn't mean they have to have a populist opinion on everything.

[kelley ferris]

why the hell would becks be responsible for this these stupid people who are always on the case of the beckhams need to lie down its the stupidest thing ive ever heard this man clearly has no brain to say a comment like that.

[vic]

well it was the scots who took us to war ie blair and co

[Sylvia]

I have never heard such a load of rubbish. Next you'll be holding David Beckham responsible for every action or reaction to such things. Get a life!

[lorna quinn]

Wat a load of twaddle. Trust a bloody Scotsman to utter crap, an afront to ths Scot's.If he cant talk sense dont talk atall. (and im scottish)