"The people of Iraq want to rule themselves, and that requires free and fair elections. Who could best help them achieve that - the United States, Britain and their other democratic allies, or the United Nations, a majority of whose member-states do not believe in free elections and people's rule? "
Exactly....great point
Britain doesn't believe in Democracy for others - only for themselves.
Brits are great allies, but I don't trust the British with any form of foreign policy - they don't believe in spreading democracy - they're content with aiding dictatorship as long as it doesn't get in their way.