The Tony Blair Story

[mumofoneAloneandwell]

Late night with dd - I’ve put it on in the background on +1

is anyone watching? 👀

Sad but true eh? And the downfall of many a 'good' politician on the surface. I read his wife's book and seem to recall he had about 6 or 7 affairs. Lord knows how he found the time frankly!!

All PMs gamble with lives and limbs, it’s in their job description.

I don’t agree with his decision, mostly because he had no exit strategy, which enabled the rise of ISIS and all the horror that followed.

I don’t think he was right to invade but I am not him, it’s easy for me to judge him now, and for that one judgement to overshadow his record.

Perhaps it should? Overall, it’s just very sad, watching someone throw away his reputation and leave so many on all sides, injured and vulnerable.

I suppose it’s just shameful that so many were influenced by his zeal and what happened, happened.

I do wonder if his night time thoughts revolve around his actions and his religion? That must be an uncomfortable feeling.

Ultimately, we all have to live with his actions, here and around the world.

Depressing but a well thought out and effective documentary.

Yes Sadaam was a bad apple but look what followed in terms of terrorism in Europe.

And also what followed for Iraq. The country is hardly in a better place now than it was 30 years ago.

What question?

Shocking! I must read it. Was Betty Boothroyd speaker at this time? It all seems so long ago.

All that hope - it was like waking up with a hangover with the Iraq war. My mum never bought Blair "watch him - look he has the one mad eye like Thatcher"😂

100%. Not to derail but also see Afghanistan x 1,000,000. So tragic on so many levels.

If you're the PM you don't know what's going to come across your desk. I thought it was very easy for Jeremy Corbyn to be so critical, he was never going to have to make a difficult decision. He was never going to win as leader, so he can sit and criticise Blair ad nauseum.

It was Michael Martin I believe? Yes do read it - very interesting.

I think your mum definitely has a point about those who tend to favour style over substance and bombast over basics!

Strangely enough, I thought GW Bush seemed very confident and articulate, even witty, but then I thought - we're so used to Trump now, anyone else in that job looks more competent!

So true! I have friends in Napa and their current opinion is that they hope the Chester the Cheetah stands next time around if people just want orange entities who spout catchphrases. And also cheetah = cheater, right?!

Exactly!

I think the basics were dealt with; funding for the NHS, funding for schools, Sure Start, the minimum wage, Northern Ireland. You don't win 3 general elections on "bombast" alone.

No of course - but he was the first 'media' PM for sure.

there Was a question directed to bush - by a man who looks like a male jo brand - it doesn’t matter though

Oh yes, I think I know what you mean.

I was thinking this, but then immediately questioned myself, aha

The decision was dodgy enough - the 'sexed-up dossier' and all that but what I really find unforgiveable is the chaos after the invasion, the lack of planning.

He certainly was. As Bill Clinton said, "he could charm the owls out of the trees".

I knew Jeremy would pop up before he did

I loved him but I no longer think he was the best prime minister we never had

I know! 😂 I thought I must be going a bit mad!

GW always looked totally surprised to be in the job - but yes you're right what we thought of as mediocre...
Even during that time, I never felt like the world would tip towards a ww.
I remember Merkle saying before, i think, or shortly after "if Europe fragments there will be war once more in Europe within 30 years"
Didn't even take that long. Disturbing.

He certainly held the door to no10 wide open for Boris Johnson.

People used to take the mickey out of Dubya and call him thick - it just shows how far the US has sunk that he now seems like an articulate poltician.

Yep. Hundreds of British service people lost their lives for nothing.
I remember helping to fill shoeboxes with treats to send out to some of the troops before Christmas around 2002 and hoping it would be over soon and worth all the loss.

It wasn't. And of course life is so hard now for all the Afgan women and girls.

Ain't that the truth.
He was like a towering intellect in comparison.