Miliband: We will decide when UK troops leave Iraq

And now even David Miliband, Blair's political soul mate, is stating that British withdrawal from Iraq will not be done according to an American timetable.

Asked on BBC Radio 4 whether what was decided in relation to Baghdad by President George Bush would not affect British decisions, Mr Miliband said: "Absolutely. Our decisions about Basra are about the situation on the ground in Basra, not the situation on the ground in Baghdad." He said British forces had "very clear objectives that Iraq should be run by the Iraqis".

The split between the British and the American positions on this conflict is becoming more obvious by the day, with the Americans threatening to have to send troops to Basra in the event of a British withdrawal and with American commanders talking of British defeat in an attempt to force the Brits to adhere to an American inspired timetable.

The American threats appear to be having no effect. The British message remains exactly the same.

At a time of their choosing, the British forces will hand over to the Iraqis and the US can do whatever they like.

Brown continues to make noises to reassure the Americans:

The Prime Minister's spokesman said UK operations would be conducted in "close consultation with our allies" but said Britain had to take decisions based on the situation on the ground in Iraq, and those facing Basra and Baghdad were different.

However, it is clear that he is drawing a distinction between the situation the Americans face in Baghdad and the situation the Brits face in Basra.

Bush is losing his final ally. Berlusconi, gone. Aznar, gone. Blair, gone.

And now Brown's ministers are hinting that they are preparing to pack up and go home.

Bush will soon be all alone in a war of choice that he should never have entered into. Had Blair remained in office, there would be no question of the UK withdrawing from the Iraq war. Therein lies Bush's problem. His timetable for this war - or his lack of any concrete plan for victory - appears to have completely ignored parliamentary realities. Government's change. And so do their priorities.

And a war that has destroyed one British Prime Minister is unlikely to be supported by his successor.

Brown is now looking for a polite way to say, "Thanks, but no thanks."

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