The seemingly unstoppable insurgency in Iraq was always going to step up attacks on the interim government, nascent Iraqi security forces, poll organisers and the US occupation itself as the January 30 election got closer. Nobody should be surprised about that. Nor should anybody opt to postpone these elections as a consequence.

Tuesday's murder of Ali al-Haidari, the governor of Baghdad, has prompted new calls for a delay in voting, including from Ghazi al-Yawar, the interim Iraqi president. One can see the point. There are daily attacks on ranking officials aimed at deterring voters, who will elect a constituent assembly and provisional government to prepare the way for general elections in about a year's time. But is there anything to be gained by putting off the poll?