Oberon
05-10-07, 07:47 AM
So...the statements been made, 27th June is when he goes.
Looking back over the last ten years (seems longer), at the highs and lows of his career, I feel a strange sensation...a sensation of 'Well, he could have done worse, I guess.'
It's not exactly been the easiest of terms, and I for one, would sure as hell not have liked to have been in his shoes during it. 9/11, 7/7, Afghanistan, Iraq, The Death of Diana, all the problems in the Middle East.
Being the ambassadors for the US in Europe has certainly seemed to be our role in the past ten years, with Clinton helping with Ireland, and more recently the close alliance between the US and the UK against the war on terror. This has often put us in between a rock and a hard place, with many in Europe and within Britain itself, seeing us as the US's lapdog...in particular "Bush's poodle", but when you consider the age of this alliance, I think such comments are a little unfair...the US and the UK have always been close allies, and (I hope) always shall be, and while at times we have our differences, I'm proud (very proud) to consider America as my friend.
Whilst I have had my differences of opinion on the war on terror, it was really quite inevitable that it was going to happen after 9/11, and we chose to aid our American allies, as they have aided us before, this decision has caused major splits in the UK and forced us to set a date to bring our forces back from Iraq when it was highly likely we would have stayed as long as the American forces, but with the Poll Tax riots still fresh in his mind, I guess it made sense to Tony to placate the people.
Now, I know that he's no angel, and many on here will be queueing up to shut the door on him on his way out...but I ask you, whilst you grab that handle...could you have done any better without the benefit of hindsight? Bear in mind that a Prime Minister is often not where 'The buck stops' but those underneath him who influence his decisions by presenting him with information (usually information which works in favour of their plans), and certainly his choice of ministers has often been controversial (anyone remember Stephen Byers? :doh: ) it was quite likely to try and take pressure off him from other ministers. The intricate powerplays within any government make it 'tough at the top' for anyone, knowing that the people around you may smile at your face, but are sharpening their knives behind closed doors.
So...in closing, I'll leave it to the public of the world to decide...and before you chose, think it through, think of all the events which have happened over the past ten years, both national and international...and think to yourself... "Could it have been worse?"
Then look at what's coming (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gordon_Brown) and ask yourself: "Will it be worse?"
I may be shot down in flames for saying this but....
"Goodbye Tony Blair...and good luck...you could have done better, you could have done worse..."
Looking back over the last ten years (seems longer), at the highs and lows of his career, I feel a strange sensation...a sensation of 'Well, he could have done worse, I guess.'
It's not exactly been the easiest of terms, and I for one, would sure as hell not have liked to have been in his shoes during it. 9/11, 7/7, Afghanistan, Iraq, The Death of Diana, all the problems in the Middle East.
Being the ambassadors for the US in Europe has certainly seemed to be our role in the past ten years, with Clinton helping with Ireland, and more recently the close alliance between the US and the UK against the war on terror. This has often put us in between a rock and a hard place, with many in Europe and within Britain itself, seeing us as the US's lapdog...in particular "Bush's poodle", but when you consider the age of this alliance, I think such comments are a little unfair...the US and the UK have always been close allies, and (I hope) always shall be, and while at times we have our differences, I'm proud (very proud) to consider America as my friend.
Whilst I have had my differences of opinion on the war on terror, it was really quite inevitable that it was going to happen after 9/11, and we chose to aid our American allies, as they have aided us before, this decision has caused major splits in the UK and forced us to set a date to bring our forces back from Iraq when it was highly likely we would have stayed as long as the American forces, but with the Poll Tax riots still fresh in his mind, I guess it made sense to Tony to placate the people.
Now, I know that he's no angel, and many on here will be queueing up to shut the door on him on his way out...but I ask you, whilst you grab that handle...could you have done any better without the benefit of hindsight? Bear in mind that a Prime Minister is often not where 'The buck stops' but those underneath him who influence his decisions by presenting him with information (usually information which works in favour of their plans), and certainly his choice of ministers has often been controversial (anyone remember Stephen Byers? :doh: ) it was quite likely to try and take pressure off him from other ministers. The intricate powerplays within any government make it 'tough at the top' for anyone, knowing that the people around you may smile at your face, but are sharpening their knives behind closed doors.
So...in closing, I'll leave it to the public of the world to decide...and before you chose, think it through, think of all the events which have happened over the past ten years, both national and international...and think to yourself... "Could it have been worse?"
Then look at what's coming (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gordon_Brown) and ask yourself: "Will it be worse?"
I may be shot down in flames for saying this but....
"Goodbye Tony Blair...and good luck...you could have done better, you could have done worse..."