A powerful message to policy makers; VOICE OF THE NORTH.

THE Archbishop of Canterbury's sermon at yesterday's memorial service for the 179 British personnel killed in Iraq was carefully nuanced but carried a powerful - and at times stinging - message.

Tony Blair may well, as John and Marilyn Miller believe, have "the skin of an elephant", but even he must have squirmed in his seat as the Archbishop condemned the failings of policy makers over the controversial conflict.

"There were those among both policymakers and commentators who were able to talk about (conflict) without really measuring the price, the cost of justice," the Archbishop said.

For the Millers and Peter Brierley, who later refused to shake Mr Blair's "bloodied" hand, that "cost" referred to the lives of their beloved sons.

That they should still feel anger towards those politicians they blame for sending their sons to war is utterly understandable. And, while Mr Blair had every right to attend the service as the statesman who took Britain into the war at the centre of the proceedings, it is reasonable too that they should take offence at his presence.

It would be sad, however, if that anger at Mr Blair distracted from the other key message behind the Archbishop's sermon - the "patient and consistent" efforts of the troops on the ground.

For all the flaws of the conflict in Iraq, their brave service is not among them.