Tony Blair in The Times today

[oviraptor21]

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/4955e1e4-88d3-11ec-a837-0153f5f4adaf?shareToken=94c076de44190bb4e85a3885618c9f80

I assume he is going to cite the third way again, but Blair comes down firmly on the side of the author JK Rowling. “They [voters] don’t want a situation where women can’t talk about being women. I have this conversation quite often with Labour people and I know their inclination is to walk round this issue, but I am telling you to go right into it and resolve it in a way that makes it absolutely clear where you stand. That is how to shut down the Tories on it.”

Long article but about 4/5 of the way down.

I can't forgive him for Iraq, but he makes a very fair point that he got elected- and New Labour did many good things- and after Brown left, there has been not a chance of a Labour government and see where that has got us. Some socialists are masters at letting perfect be the enemy of good...or however it is phrased! Better a centrist Labout government than the current shower.

I am spartacus a Blair fan

I think this is positive. And a reminder that there's the capacity for good and bad in everyone. Like pp, I'll never forgive him for the war but his political instincts have always been razor sharp. It's hard to overplay how much of a miracle him getting Labour elected was back then - actually, strike that, it's exactly like it is just now! He transformed an unelectable party by getting them to connect with people's real hopes and aspirations. Just like he's doing here, it's a middle way.

"He is surprisingly prudish ... telling me that he can’t watch most TV series as they contain “a large amount of sex”. He prefers “action films with happy endings”. He’s quite old-fashioned for a modernising prime minister, immaculate in his pressed jeans, navy jacket and polished boots."

I find this more interesting! Have to agree with Tony here as well, can't stand the modern gratuitous TV put out.

@Abhannmor

Blair is right both in practical terms and also morally. Gasp. The world 🌎 has gone mad , it's official.

I think it started when Alastair Campbell talked sense on Brexit.

@Abhannmor

Blair is right both in practical terms and also morally. Gasp. The world 🌎 has gone mad , it's official.

I am more shocked to be in agreement with Blair than I am to find myself working with Tories!

Tony Blair was a brilliant politician

Gosh...I think I agreed with all of that.

Haven’t read the Times article but from the paragraph in the OP, it sounds more like it’s about the worry of obsolescence for the Labour Party in society than women.

'There are feelings and there are facts, but right now feelings are more important.’

Not just on this issue. This summarises our current political era – certainly in the countries I've been paying attention to.

Feeeelings being more important than reality is why we’re in a right bloody mess with so many things

@TheLeadbetterLife

It's unfashionable I know, but I have a lot of time for Tony Blair.

Me to. And I have a surprising number of friends in the Labour Party who feel the same way. The ideological purity spiralling of Labour under Corbyn just doesn't connect with the majority of Labour voters. Blair talks a lot of common sense and it's in short supply at the moment.

What about our bloody feelings? Why do they take second place to what a male wants?

Thanks for sharing - he talks a lot of sense in this

@TheLeadbetterLife

It's unfashionable I know, but I have a lot of time for Tony Blair.

In contrast, I don’t have a lot of time for Tony Blair (excellent politician, appalling attempt at international statesman). But I absolutely agree with him on this.

And I also want to say that people to be able to think critically and think for themselves on this rather than blindly agreeing that JKRowling is right because they like her books or that Stephanie Hayden or Adrian Harrop are right because they like golf.

Also have to say - I thought I was the one with unfashionable views about Tony Blair 😂

Not the point of the thread but - Leo is 21?

Reading the comments is fascinating. The majority recognise his political talents, so many saying they'd vote for him again, especially in the light of current politicians.

Never thought I'd say I miss hearing Blair's views, but here I am. Funny how perspectives change when the world is spinning so fast so it doesn't catch sight of its own tail, lest it offends its own rear end.

What is terven?

@Iflyaway

What is terven?

reality

How can anyone vote for a party whose MPs are so frightened of a section of their own membership that they will happily deny reality? If people are turning to the Tories, it's because of horror at what Labour has become.

Here's Janice Turner, to the point as ever:

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/b8d1103c-8b78-11ec-8600-c48a9935f856?shareToken=c39d5bab67d97fcfd6ea7b5af283d959

More goats. We need more goats.

I'm a Blair fan. Best prime minister in my lifetime by a long mile.

@Empressofthemundane

His political instincts are very good.

What, attacking disabled people (and Iraq)?