Do most people 'dislike' Tony Blair?

[AgentZigzag]

I accept that the word dislike may not fully encompass the emotional response he provokes in some people, but I personally don't think he's that bad. I see him as a politician who's had to make difficult decisions, rather than someone who took us to war for dishonest reasons.

It was his job to look at the bigger picture after 9/11, I've just seen him saying on the Iraq Inquiry that 3000 people were killed on that day, and if they could have, they would have killed 30000. Surely he had to do everything and anything he thought necessary to try and protect us from people whose reality is so distorted that they would gladly kill and maim as many people in the west as possible, and certainly don't play by any of the rules of normal modern warfare.

I don't think I'm being naive, and I can't stand Labour so it's not because I'm some NuLab fan, but I just don't think he's as bad as the media wants us to think he is.

... and I thought I was strong in my negative description of him

• I was actually pulling my punches, prettybird!

I am glad I am not the only one who feels that level of visceral disgust (or should that be -not meaning "envy" ). A shame because I genuinely looked on Labour's election in 1997 as a time of hope.

However, my dh remembers hearing Brian Wilson election winner's speech and shuddering at the "We're the Master's now" tone

I'm sure like you, my loathing for TB is specific to him. Much as I have a low opinion of politics in general, and Gordy specifically, the way I feel towards Tony is...let's say it's special. I'm sure I'd feel all the more strongly had I voted him in!

Sadly I sometimes ask myself whether huge disappointment of TB will be replicated by Obama - such high hopes, such huge disappointments.

"messianic insanity" - so true, swc, so true.

Fortunately, I live in Scotland, so don't have the guilt of having ever voted for him on my hands

The sense of hope was purely because I am naturally left of centre, so I did want the Tories out. But shame on me, when did being left wing ever have anything to do with New Labour??? (For that matter, I have often wondered when was the "New" ever agreed by the party? ) The New Tory Labour party has introduced things that Maggie only ever dreamt about but never thought would get through parliament.

loathe blair (see below). actually rather like alistair campbell...he is not trying to come across nice at all, but what he is: a ruthless spin doctor.

i don't mind if people are up front about who they are.

Agree with Sophable re AC.

I doubt he is any less 'qualified', in the intellectual sense, to be 'within a million miles of serious policy questions' than, for instance,David Cameron. After all they both went to Oxford.....

I live in England, and still don't have the guilt of having voted for him on my hands.