It was finally proved last night that our boys in Iraq are central the war effort, when the first casualties were reported and it transpired that eight of our lads were killed compared to just four of the Americans.

Some have said Blair is just George Bush's poodle. Some have said our brave boys are mere assistants to the US. But those people are wrong.

Yes, the naysayers and the pessimists have had their day. We might have just 45,000 soliders compared to the US's 215,000, but when it comes to bang for your buck the Americans know who's leading the way. The numbers speak for themselves.