Blairanasia

[Cyclefrance]

So our Tone has finally decided to take his own political life.

Many were reported to have offered to help him on his way, but he insisted on doing it himself.... or did he?

Rumour has it that some financial assistance may have been administered to speed up the process and make it less painful - some circuit from across the pond we are led to understand.

Heave a sigh of relief - no time now for him to find more legaciesto leave... well I shouldn't bet on it - there are still 46 days left before he goes! And the reality of taking over the reins has caught Gordon more than a litle bit unprepared, after so many false starts before.

So, what will YOU remember Tony for?

And how do you feel about Gordie receiving the mantle?

[TheMercenary]

I will remember Tony for standing behind us even when we were wrong and everyone knew it, including us.

[xoxoxoBruce]

[Beestie]

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

I will remember Tony for standing behind us even when we were wrong and everyone knew it, including us.

I will too. But on the other hand, Margaret Thatcher would have taken W behind the smokehouse and given him the switching of his life and, perhaps, taught that little Napolean wannabe a lesson that could have saved all of us considerable loss.

Make no mistake - Blair was a better friend than we deserved. But.

[DanaC]

I'll remember Blair most for lying to the british people and taking us into a war for which thousands are still paying. I'll remember him for the incredible hope he engendered on first taking office and the even deeper disappointment which followed. I'll remember him for not doing enough with the largest majority we could ever have dreamed of. We could have changed the face of Britain.

The Labour government has had its achievements under Tony's leadership and they deserve recognition. But we could have done so much more with the mandate we had. Labour will wait a long time before it has that kind of majority again.

[Undertoad]

Tony Blair was much like our Bill Clinton. A brilliant politician, good looking guy, a marvelous speaker, remarkable skills, but you wanted a little more substance. A wife who makes life a little difficult for him at times.

Unlike Mr Clinton he is a victim of his own increasingly serious times. He had to face worse problems than his predecessors. He is welcome in my home any time. I think history will treat him better than he is treated today.

[tw]

Originally Posted by Beestie

But on the other hand, Margaret Thatcher would have taken W behind the smokehouse and given him the switching of his life and, perhaps, taught that little Napolean wannabe a lesson that could have saved all of us considerable loss.

Never forget what Maggie T did for us. When Cheney, Rumsfeld, etc were crying that we could not do anything to rescue Kuwait, then it was Lady Thatcher who said to George Sr in Denver, "George, this will not stand."

Maggie put into George Sr the backbone he needed. Scowcroft then cemented that bone in place. By Sunday, George Sr stepped off a helicopter on the White House lawn saying, "This will not stand".

Without Lady Thatcher, then we may have never gone to Kuwait’s rescue. Never forget the negativity from Cheney, Rumsfeld, et al back then and the Iron Lady who said what was really obvious.

When it came to making a most ruthless decision - telling George Jr what reality really was - Tony Blair loses massive credibility for taking a coward's way out. And what did he get for it? Nothing. So much potential wasted because he could not confront lies.

[bluecuracao]

Oh yeah...Maggie gave us the out.

[be-bop]

I'll remember Tory Blair for out-Toring the Tories, best fucking conservative Prime Minister this country has ever had Brown will be even worse, corrupt to the end.

[tw]

Interesting sidebar: Blair will be the first Prime Minister since the one before Neville Chamberlan to step down voluntarily. All others were removed either by death, doctor, or the voters.

[Cyclefrance]

I've always believed that Tony's hidden agenda has been to become the first long-term president of the EU. That over-friendly attitude to GWB was his way of showing how he was best placed to deal with the world's most influential leader, and he has regularly placed the international agenda ahead of the domestic one - when it came the international scene Tony would be in there with his gloves off/on, but domestic issues usually prompted little more than substanceless rhetoric.

I wasn't surprised therefore to hear that EU presidency was up the top of his post-PM-ship wish-list. Watch this space....

I agree that he has wasted the opportunities that Labour's large majority presented. Not a case of taking his eye of the ball, but more a case of having it on another one. Sad really, considering the trust that the majority of the population placed in him. Still, given the run-around he has given Gordon over the years, should we be that surprised to find that this is a part of the man's psyche.

As for Gordon - time will tell, and probably not much of it. The English people are going to expect a lot in a short time as he has to prove himself very quickly to be the man of substance and ability that is needed to take on a growing Tory revival.