"I can't accept collective responsibility for the decision to commit Britain now to military action in Iraq without international agreement or domestic support"

In this quote, Robin Cook is expressing his rejection to take responsibility for the decision to involve Britain in military action in Iraq without the arrangement of other countries or the assistance of the British people. He is specifying that he can not bear the problem of being held accountable for a decision that was made without correct global agreement or the backing of his own nation. Cook's words recommend that he believes this choice was made without thinking about the potential consequences and without considering the opinions and concerns of those who would be directly affected by it. He is distancing himself from the decision and making it clear that he does not support it.