Big confession: I think Tony Blair is great and wish he wasn't going - am I COMPLETELY on my own?

[chestnutter]

Sorry, I know it's really fashionable to hate him but I think he's been a great PM

I can't think of anything this govt has done that will actually stand the test of time, other than macro policy and possibly redistributional policy (both of which are GB's area). In what way can TB be considered a great PM???

oliveoil, Cameron is a bit of a shouter apparently
and used to send his PA for hair gel

Tony is as dead as a dodo
Brown is super smart but not sure he is PM material, don't think he is handling the getting rid of Tony thing very well. Not brave enough.

But then I look at French politicians and think maybe things are slightly better here?

edam you're totally right

I wasn't in disagreement

I think I was being a bit simplistic; there's also the issue of needing different leaders at different times - Churchill it was felt was a great leader in war, but not in peace

and Tony Blair was the leader who needed to update a Labour Party which people still associated with the great unwashed, uncharismatic characters and the tubthumping style of Neil Kinnock

Hey cappucino, it was the bit where you said 'I don't know much about history but...' that spurred my last post.

IMHO there are very few virtuous politicians. Power corrupts.

Urg, Tony Blair is utterly loathsome as is his ghastly, grasping, vulgar wife. I cannot believe you lot feel sorry for him. And as for fancying him - gawd I would rather shag a syphilitic leper.

ROFL

did I read that title right? [confused and bewildered emoticon]

I mean, apart from involving the party in financial double dealing, taking us to war, setting targets but not solving problems, lying about reasons for war, ignoring the popular mandate, reducing education to a series of tests and grades that create cookie cutter graduates and making an electable tory leader a possibility what has Tony ever done for us?

[with apologies to the team at Monty Python for blatant rip off]

Well said meowmix! Personally can't stand the lying barsteward. An embarrassment to the traditional Labour party and everything it stood for.

Tony Blair - Tony Bliar more like!

You've got me started now!

Well I think he has been a great leader, and think that the Labour party has made a right royal cock up with the way they have handled his leaving.

Gordon I am mixed about I think he is very intelligent and up until a few weeks go would have been happy for him to be the next PM but now view him as a nasty backstabbing grinning man who is far too sure that he will be next PM.

Well seems like you're not on your own chestnutter, however I won't be joining you in your sentiments re TB

Can't stand GB either

I do wish people could be original and make up their own "jokes". Vaguely amusing for about 3 seconds 2 years ago.

I think the gimp and his squad are here soon for their conference

they have told us we cannot park in our NCP carpark "for security reasons"

I only wanted to ask him what foundation he used, no need to go overboard

His "vulgar" wife?

Ah!

"American Tan" I think Oliveoil

I really liked TB when he was elected. I still don't hate him - I think it is time to go though. Whar has he done for me persinally? Increased maternity benefits, better funding for ds1's school, paid playgroup fees for ds1 and dd, masses of child tax credit - we really do feel the benefits of the labour government. I fear for the country if the tories getin.

One thging sums up David Cameron for me - he cycles to work to seem green, whilst his paperwork follows in a chauffeir driven limo. It's all for show.

I loved Bill Clinton too - maybe Hillary will get in at the next election!

As far as TB's foreign policy - I don't agree with Iraq, I think it was done the wrong way, but I REALLY think at the time TB believed in what he was doing. Maybe he was misguided, or foolish.

"the Labour party has made a right royal cock up with the way they have handled his leaving." Actually its his office/him thats handling it so the cock up is of his own making. He had to know that the minute he said "I'm off" that people would want to know details. Its like a friend announcing "I'm coming for dinner" and then not telling you what date. It seems to me like he wanted/expected us all to go " nooooo Toby, don't go, we need you..." and er... we didn't

i do like Bill Clinton a lot. And really hope Hilary runs for office soon. They were both maligned so much. Had so much hope for TB in 97. Feel utterly let down, though i suppose he has improved things slightly at home. Worried about the NHS though.

I thought Will Self summed him up on tonight's Question Time - the air-guitarist of British politics.

The sooner he goes, the better. The only thing I'm worried about is what's the alternative?

(I was gratified to hear that Prezzer will be leaving with him. Another politician that won't be missed )

there are many things I like and admire about Blair but he has failed on the Middle East question. In backing GWB to the hilt he has simultaneously indicated to the Palestinians that he cares not a jot for them. This will be part of his legacy . His reaction ( or lack of it) to Israel's recent invasion of Beirut was despicable. Sadly, for him and the West, the middle east will not forget that.

But do you really think we have that much clout in the Middle East, donnie? Sometimes I wonder whether the rest of the world doesn't just see the British as an otherwise fairly insignificant acolyte of the US.

you are probably right Freida.

I also like TB. And Cherie! Intelligent woman with great job. I trust him. Can't help it. So sue me.

i LOVE Tony!

i think hes fab! a sweetie & a bitluch!

i LOVE Tony!

i think hes fab! a sweetie & a bit lush!