Thread: Tony Blair to stand down

for the full(ish) life story of Tony Blair click here

and for critical evaluation of Blairs era click here

Having read Ian Kershaw's views, I believe that the increased use of spin doctors and all that goes with it is merely a reflection that a job as a politician is no different to any other. The Media plays a much larger role now than it did 10 years ago, and the make up of support staff merely refelcts this.

Iraq will cast a shadown over what is clearly one of Britains most solid and well respected leaders, if not prolific.

About time, he's a fanny.

What I love most to do is to look back at his election campagin broadcast where he repetedly reiterates that he's only interested in helping Britain and the British public and not at all in foreign policy...ah you gotta love it.

Originally Posted by MATT THE LIBERTINE

What I love most to do is to look back at his election campagin broadcast where he repetedly reiterates that he's only interested in helping Britain and the British public and not at all in foreign policy...ah you gotta love it.

"Events dear boy, events"- Harold Macmillan said when asked what can steer a government off course

Unfortunately events in politics often dictate the decisions that need to be taken, especially by a prime minister. Falklands made Thatcher (although her domestic policy did so much damage), Iraq brought down Blair (although his domestic policy has offered hope).

I think ultimately Iraq was a huge mistake, that will blight him and my opinion of him. But history will be begin to treat him differently, even the most politically blind must accept some the good things his government has done. I have been very vocal regarding Mr Blair being too cautious in implementing true social-democratic policies, perhaps never quite going far enough, but i think it wasnt as easy to do that in the political climate he inherited. England still remains are very conservative country, and Mr Blair skillfully operated under the tight constraints of a right-wing media storm that will forever blight any Labour government.

I believe he missed a fantastic opportunity to steer the political climate leftwards, perhaps he has slightly, but his majorities were so strong he could have been so much more bold. Although Tony Blair has shifted the debate slightly to the left, David Cameron's apeing is perhaps testament to that, it is still a shift that can be undone in less time than it took to put together.

renewed labour: Goodbye Mr. Blair...

credit where credit's due to him - peace in Northern Ireland was an amazing achievement, and one that I wouldnt have thought possible when first learning about the divide in the country when I was a young lad. Unfortunately, Iraq will overshadow everything, and it is something that wont be forgotten for a long long time. It's fair to say i'm not a fan, saying that, I have this feeling that Brown's gonna get his arse handed to him by Cameron, which blows goats.

i dont wana see gorden brown in power, hes a twat.he just looks and comes across as a smarmy ass hole...he even joked bout bein the new prime minister the other day.....

but he has done well with the economy, in some retrospects.......fuk knows i dont read into politiks enough to give a well presented argument or debate for that matter

Originally Posted by cornerstoner

i dont wana see gorden brown in power, hes a twat.he just looks and comes across as a smarmy ass hole...he even joked bout bein the new prime minister the other day.....

but he has done well with the economy, in some retrospects.......fuk knows i dont read into politiks enough to give a well presented argument or debate for that matter

Smarmy is not something i have ever heard Gordon Brown called i must say. I think the joke wasnt really in bad taste, in fact it was stating the bloody obvious really...

Originally Posted by LukeD Dodgem

credit where credit's due to him - peace in Northern Ireland was an amazing achievement, and one that I wouldnt have thought possible when first learning about the divide in the country when I was a young lad. Unfortunately, Iraq will overshadow everything, and it is something that wont be forgotten for a long long time. It's fair to say i'm not a fan, saying that, I have this feeling that Brown's gonna get his arse handed to him by Cameron, which blows goats.

Iraq wont overshadow everything, that is over cooking it slightly. People still care about jobs, taxes, health, education, crime and welfare far more than Iraq. On the doorsteps that is essentially what really matters. That is not to say Iraq DOESNT matter, just that many people, particularly those outside of the political bubble dont hold it as high as some.

I think you underestimate Brown's ability also...

slimey then i dunno he just seems 2 come across as that to me.....an yeh i know its obvious but still....its making a mockery of the whole picking a new prime minister in a way.....but yeh its obvious sorry lol i said i dont do politicks hahaha

who will take over for gorden brown now? do you know or have any ideas?

Originally Posted by cornerstoner

slimey then i dunno he just seems 2 come across as that to me.....an yeh i know its obvious but still....its making a mockery of the whole picking a new prime minister in a way.....but yeh its obvious sorry lol i said i dont do politicks hahaha

who will take over for gorden brown now? do you know or have any ideas?

Um its difficult to predict really, i would go for a safe pair of hands like Jack Straw, but then it would be really bold to go for David Milliband. Douglas Alexander and Alastair Darling are possibilities, although them being scottish wont help, Ed Balls may get the nod.

Brown knows he has to get young, new blood in to help paint of the picture of change, hence why John Reid is going...

I dont underestimate Brown's ability to lead, but I definitely dont rate his ability to charm the public into getting behind him - thats where I think his problem is going to lie

Originally Posted by LukeD Dodgem

I dont underestimate Brown's ability to lead, but I definitely dont rate his ability to charm the public into getting behind him - thats where I think his problem is going to lie

But hasnt so much ire been directed at Blair because of said 'charm'? Brown is a far greater mind than Tony Blair, and can counteract his lack of slickness by utilizing younger politicians in his new Cabinet, David Millband, Yvette Cooper, Ed Balls and even Peter Hain. It is also a definite dividing line between him and Cameron something which is golden in westminster politics i can assure you- do people want another rhetoric heavy Blairesque character like Cameron?

Who knows what the people want. A lot, given recent voter turnout, could not care. I'm certain it'll rise next time round though..... Blair Versus Howard was a bit dull. It was like putting a bet on Watford V Wigan.

Tony Blair..... hmmm well I think his government has done some great things for the UK but I didn't like him as a leader (I thought he was insincere) and I disagreed with his foreign policy. Gordon Brown seems like he will be a strong leader, I think it will be interesting to see how he will lead the labour party. I'm hoping he will bring back a little more of the old labour.

Originally Posted by Ben G

Tony Blair..... hmmm well I think his government has done some great things for the UK but I didn't like him as a leader (I thought he was insincere) and I disagreed with his foreign policy. Gordon Brown seems like he will be a strong leader, I think it will be interesting to see how he will lead the labour party. I'm hoping he will bring back a little more of the old labour.

Old Labour is a redundant term really, i think all party politics will be value and not ideologicallly driven. The terms 'left and right' are also redundant.

I think much of the change will come in style rather than massive change in policies. I think Brown is far more in love with the Labour party than Blair ever was, and that is crucial. Also Labour are losing their heartlands, so more than 'middle england' needs to be pleased...

The war sticks out for me so much. It's been tragedy after tragedy over there. Though Labour have done a lot (apparently), the war means so many just can't take them seriously anymore.

Faaaaarce. Fuck it, we're doomed.

Originally Posted by Savage

The war sticks out for me so much. It's been tragedy after tragedy over there. Though Labour have done a lot (apparently), the war means so many just can't take them seriously anymore.

Faaaaarce. Fuck it, we're doomed.

Apparently? Answer me a few questions...

Do you work?
Have you or your parents ever claimed any benefit?
Have you used any public service?
Do you study?
Do you have any gay friends?

If the answer is yes to these questions than i will continue...

He is a gay fiend!

I'm glad blair is off. A little overdue from the general public point of view. Perhaps Brown can sort out the NHS? *snigger*

I dont know, its not that im well up for blowing people up, but you dont know how difficult it is to make those calls until your there.

Iraq was a mistake, but i'm not holding it against him.

Many people, especially Labour/Left leaning people, often mistake the role of party leader and Prime Minister. They are very different roles, and ones that require decisions to be made that go beyond simple ideologies. I still think Iraq was a huge mistake, although Blair had made clear of his humanitarian intervionist beliefs at an early stage.

When I say "apparently" I meant that I couldn't actually name anything they've done.

Iraq was a mistake, but i'm not holding it against him.

Good work there, son.