Anthony Charles Lynton Blair

[Oberon]

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? ) 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 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..."

[DanCanovas]

im a supporter of Blair's foreign policy but internally, this country is a mess, worse off than 10 years ago!

[dean_acheson]

Tony Blair and Dale Earnhardt Jr. both jump the shark in one day! wow!

[STEED]

Blair did wonders for Scotland and Wales which have now turned there back on him, as for England not a thing at all. I am paying more tax, I got drunk yobs causing damage near me on a regular basis. Transport is still a mess and all that crap about shorter waiting times on the N.H.S is all BS.

He is the worst Prime Minister ever and I have seen some shockers in my time but he take the crown, that speech of his was awful and now we got to put up with this soap queen doing his fair well tour, pass me the sick bucket.

Tony Blair

[joea]

Disappointing as a PM for this foreigner (but subject of HRH).

[AntEater]

His foreign policy anti-terror wise consisted mostly of blahblah and following the US wherever they went. Basically giving a cultured european face to anything Bush did.
On the positive side, Blair was definitely not a europhobe, in contrast to 99.99999% of his countrymen. Ok, fair enough, as behind Murdochian headlines Britain is actually one of the EU members who does play by the rules instead of just playing postcard european on the outside and trying to rob the EU for funds to compensate for their own political and economic failures (Spain anyone?).
But actually I have no idea how or what he did in regards to interior politics. All german press covers about UK internal affairs is camera surveilance on the street and the condition of NHS hospitals. But I have no idea how the really important internal policy fields like labour legislation, tax legislation or welfare were handled by Blair compared to Major or Thatcher.
(Btw, did Tony really have such a posh name?)

[Skybird]

I stay away from the poll, for of all the three major foreign powers, US, Britain, France - Britain is the one about whose inner political landscape I know by far the fewest (the least?), and thus I do not know too well what Blair's impact on inner politics has been. Just remembering some events is not good enough, I suppose.But in a poll asking for what will form his perception in history, his support for the pyrrhus victory in Afghanistan and the total failure in Iraq stand above everything, and will form the way he will be remembered, I think.I perceived Blair as a "Moralapostel" (which really is no compliment in German) from the very beginning, who thought himself to have a moral mission. I do not trust such people, and even less if they are politicians. I did not like Blair when he came, and I do not shed a tear now when he goes. The only bad thing is that he never will ne held accountable for the quite deliberate mess he helped to create, and the lies he supported - for moral reasons, of course. Morals cannot replace reason. Morals cannot justify to forge the truth. For me he just was a damn and very arrogant cheater.

[DanCanovas]

Originally Posted by AntEater

His foreign policy anti-terror wise consisted mostly of blahblah and following the US wherever they went. Basically giving a cultured european face to anything Bush did.
On the positive side, Blair was definitely not a europhobe, in contrast to 99.99999% of his countrymen. Ok, fair enough, as behind Murdochian headlines Britain is actually one of the EU members who does play by the rules instead of just playing postcard european on the outside and trying to rob the EU for funds to compensate for their own political and economic failures (Spain anyone?).
But actually I have no idea how or what he did in regards to interior politics. All german press covers about UK internal affairs is camera surveilance on the street and the condition of NHS hospitals. But I have no idea how the really important internal policy fields like labour legislation, tax legislation or welfare were handled by Blair compared to Major or Thatcher.
(Btw, did Tony really have such a posh name?)

yes he did have such a name! internally things are a mess and Steed is right. My main concern is crime and prisons! its just simply not happening. you can literally get away with murder in this country nowadays!

[robbo180265]

I used to be a Labour voter - now thanks to the war in Iraq and Blair's policies as a whole, I will not be voting for them again.

I'll not go into the war - I've made my opinions known on this forum many times on that one. However Labour as a whole have become a kind of "watered down" Tory party under Blair. The rich have got far richer, the poor have stayed poor. There is no respect for anyone in this country anymore. He also hasn't done enough to combat global warming(including bringing pressure on our American friends who are in denial about the whole thing).

I for one will be voting Green from now on.

[STEED]

Originally Posted by robbo180265

I for one will be voting Green from now on.

Good for you, a man who believes in democracy by voting but has had it up to here with the big three, we should all vote for smaller party's except for the BNP. Vote for a smaller party tells the big three you are finished with them but staying home and not voting plays into there hands because of the system we got.

Just a foot note to Gordon Brown's speech about working harder and you will be better off, what BS. I can not keep up with all the bloody tax I am paying and for what? If Labour win the next general election under Gordon Brown then it's game over.

[DanCanovas]

i've never voted Labour and won't do at the next election either.

[Letum]

It totally depends what criteria you want to look at.

[AntEater]

Ok, I suppose that is a problem in all european countries right now.
You have no credible alternative left of the conservatives, as most social democrats/labour parties are just conservatives painted red.

[STEED]

Next years council results will be the best indicator for what is most likely a 2009 general election.

[Sailor Steve]

No opinion.

No, really, I don't know enough about him. Heard a lot of insults over the years though. Tiny Blur. Tony B. Liar.