I’ve been pointing out for some time that it’s as least as likely that the US will be forced to use its veto power in the UNSC as it is that France will. This point has finally been noted by the Times

Britain and the United States are working behind the scenes to squash a Canadian-backed UN compromise.

The Canadian proposal calls for a deadline of March 28 for Iraq to fulfil a list of “key remaining disarmament tasks” drawn up by Hans Blix, the chief UN weapons inspector. If put to a vote, the Canadian plan could win majority support on the Security Council and force the US into a veto.

That would leave Britain in the position of deciding to go to war not just without a new resolution authorising action, but with a US veto overriding a potential compromise.

As the focus on Britain indicates, I can’t see Blair going ahead under these circumstances, hence the desire to prevent a vote. But, along with the renewed US demand for Saddam’s removal regardless of whether he disarms, and the continued failure to do anything concrete the Palestine issue, this may give Blair the push he needs to break away from Bush.