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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think Tony Blair should realise no one cares what he thinks

70 replies

Missingstreetlife · 29/03/2018 10:08

He is lucky not to have been prosecuted for his illegal actions in Iraq, which by the way we didn't vote for but loads of us demonstrated against

OP posts:
BossWitch · 29/03/2018 10:13

Why? He's an intelligent person with a pretty vast amount of knowledge and experience in international politics. I'm very interested to know what he thinks. I didn't agree with the Iraq war but that doesn't mean I will refuse to listen to anything he says now. Why would I? I don't have to be 100% in agreement with everything a person has ever done to listen to their point, especially on topics that they know far more about than I do.

TabbyMack · 29/03/2018 10:15

“No one”? How arrogant to think you’re speaking for everyone.

GloGirl · 29/03/2018 10:15

YABU, as Boss said he's been in a rare position in this country so his insights are worth something. If you don't give a shot what he says don't read it or watch it.

Worieddd · 29/03/2018 10:16

YABU

Mightymucks · 29/03/2018 10:17

Resign from what? Exactly?

Mightymucks · 29/03/2018 10:19

Although I do tend to think a good rule of thumb is if Tony Blair thinks doing something is a good idea you should do the exact opposite. See: deregulation of the banks, Afghanistan, the Euro, Iraq, everything...

ScattyCharly · 29/03/2018 10:20

I didn’t vote for him, but he is a former PM with a vast amount of experience and knowledge. He gets paid to speak so clearly people do care what he thinks.

Plus regarding the Iraq war issue, none of us were in his position faced with the information and situation he had at the time. He did it because he thought it was the best course of action. I certainly wouldn’t like to have to make decisions like that.

4Funnels · 29/03/2018 10:22

He's a very clever man and an excellent politician - whether you like him and his policies or not.

Plenty of people do care what he thinks which is why he's so successful since leaving Office.

Why do you think you get to speak for all of us?

wildduckhunt · 29/03/2018 10:23

I care what he thinks. He lead the country for 10 years.

Wheresmyfuckingcupcake · 29/03/2018 10:24

I care. He is an intelligent, knowledgeable person. We would be better off with him
In charge than the government we have.

QuiteLikely5 · 29/03/2018 10:25

The media - make up a tiny amount of the population. Sadly they have a huge platform to spew their hate to millions.

Most people really appreciate what TB did during his time in office.

He had a great impact. Unlike forgettable DC!

RulaLenskasHair · 29/03/2018 10:27

Why? He's an intelligent person with a pretty vast amount of knowledge and experience in international politics. I'm very interested to know what he thinks. I didn't agree with the Iraq war but that doesn't mean I will refuse to listen to anything he says now. Why would I? I don't have to be 100% in agreement with everything a person has ever done to listen to their point, especially on topics that they know far more about than I do.

100% this.

Davros · 29/03/2018 10:27

I don't trust him and I think he's got an agenda behind everything he says. I also abhor him becoming a multi millionaire off the back of being PM, he's got no integrity. So I might listen to what he says but take it with a pinch of salt and think he can only do harm to any situation he chooses to comment on

Mightymucks · 29/03/2018 10:27

Most people really appreciate what TB did during his time in office.

Actually he is hugely unpopular.

yougov.co.uk/opi/browse/Tony_Blair

RulaLenskasHair · 29/03/2018 10:28

Also this:

Plus regarding the Iraq war issue, none of us were in his position faced with the information and situation he had at the time. He did it because he thought it was the best course of action. I certainly wouldn’t like to have to make decisions like that.

Mightymucks · 29/03/2018 10:30

He's an intelligent person with a pretty vast amount of knowledge and experience in international politics.

He was absolutely instrumental in fucking up the Middle East and an awful lot of problems we have now (in particular young people being attracted to Islamic extremism) lie firmly at his door.

Even the NI peace process was mainly piggybacking on to work John Major had already done behind closed doors.

He also has an disgusting record of hobnobbing with despots with appalling human rights records in return for cash.

RolyRocks · 29/03/2018 10:32

So many people on this thread have their rose tinted specs on when it comes to Tony Blair - they always forget that the first action he took was to cut single parent benefit.

If you delve a little deeper into what Tony Blair actually achieved and campaigned for, rather than his excellent use of Spin Doctors to give him wonderful PR and I think you would be a little more sympathetic to the OP and I say that as a Labour supporter not New Labour

Mightymucks · 29/03/2018 10:32

Plus regarding the Iraq war issue, none of us were in his position faced with the information and situation he had at the time

Well that doesn’t really matter does it? Because we know he didn’t even wait for all the information or to clarify the situation because he privately committed to Bush that the UK would back the war before he even had the full facts.

Dulra · 29/03/2018 10:39

Even the NI peace process was mainly piggybacking on to work John Major had already done behind closed doors.
Not true if Blair had not been in government at the time the peace process would not have gone through. The Tories especially under Thatcher treated NI and the Northern Irish people appallingly and would never have been able to secure peace there. It is no surprise that they are in government again and messing up NI again. I was no fan of Blair during the Iraq war and he made a big mistake there and treated the British people who opposed him with contempt but I have to acknowledge all the good work he did in NI. He was also one of the lone voices during the Brexit vote warning about the impact it would have on the peace process the Tories didn't give a toss.

Mightymucks · 29/03/2018 10:41

Not true. Major was instrumental in the peace process:

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/politics/wintour-and-watt/2011/may/17/queen-ireland

And incase you’ve forgotten, the official Tory position was remain.

Mydoghatesthebath · 29/03/2018 10:44

Well he rebuilt all the schools in our area of Worcestershire so I am very grateful that my children had brand new facilities and fantastic spaces to enjoy their schooling.

9/11 was s cataclysmic works event that changed everything and mistakes were made. But hinesight is a wonderful thing

PinkbicyclesinBerlin · 29/03/2018 10:49

Even the NI peace process was mainly piggybacking on to work John Major had already done behind closed doors.

Mighty

You are definitely being taking in by propaganda if you underplay Tony Blair’s role in the NI peace process. He was absolutely instrumental. He certainly was not piggy backing on John Major in any meaningful way. His work was in his own right.

QuiteLikely5 · 29/03/2018 10:49

Rolyrocks

What are you talking about?!

TB made better no a single parent worth while!

In fact he made it financially attractive to be a single parent!

He created surestart

Opened thousands of nurseries

QuiteLikely5 · 29/03/2018 10:49

Made it better*

beenandgoneandbackagain · 29/03/2018 10:53

Plus regarding the Iraq war issue, none of us were in his position faced with the information and situation he had at the time

One name: Dr David Kelly.