Blair's legacy

[dec]

Ruining the once socialist British Labour Party.

Was that the party that lost four elections in a row ?

[Hardy]

That's lefties for you. They hate success - for themselves as much as anybody. It robs them of their righteous misery. 

[ONeill]

Blair has been the best of the lot by a mile. He handled the peace process perfectly, knowing full well how badly it could turn if a wrong move was made.

[deiseach]

He made an immense contribution to securing a settlement in the North, won elections with the ruthlessness that Kilkenny win All-Irelands and presided over an unprecedented period of economic stability in Britain.

And yet, his legacy will be Iraq. Hubris on an apocalyptic scale.

[ExiledGael]

Have to agree with that, he's the best I've seen in my lifetime. Fair play to him for sticking with the peace process I hope he gets the credit in years to come for that. Compare hi mto that useless shit John Major and the dicks like Patrick Mayhew he put in charge of this place, Christ Blair even put a Scottish Catholic in charge (John Reid). I'll never forget hearing that news with a bunch of left-footers from my university class, their response - we're fucked now, he's a Celtic supporter!

[stew]

Have to agree with that, he's the best I've seen in my lifetime. Fair play to him for sticking with the peace process I hope he gets the credit in years to come for that. Compare hi mto that useless shit John Major and the dicks like Patrick Mayhew he put in charge of this place, Christ Blair even put a Scottish Catholic in charge (John Reid). I'll never forget hearing that news with a bunch of left-footers from my university class, their response - we're fucked now, he's a Celtic supporter!

Brilliant!!!!!!!!

[deiseach]

Christ Blair even put a Scottish Catholic in charge (John Reid).

Putting that moron in charge of anything more important than carrying a crate of cans around the terrace in Thurles on Munster final day is a black mark against Blair. Reid is the classic example of a person who thinks they're being straight talking when in fact they're being pig-ignorant.

[magickingdom]

That's lefties for you. They hate success - for themselves as much as anybody. It robs them of their righteous misery. 

classic!! 

[SammyG]

Bertie on Blair - he left a priceless legacy of peace in Ireland and will hold an honoured place in Irish history.

I can't argue with that

Obviously Bertie is going to applaud Blair, its his job.
I think Blair made a mess of the peace process, he pandered to Unionism for far too long. This should have been sorted out long ago.

Absolutely brilliant, post of the year.  What's the weather like on your planet?


Getting back to the topic. Blair's years have been marked by massive strides at home (peace process, health service, education, minimum wage, etc) but he will always be remembered as a war criminal, for his actions over Iraq and the massive damage this has done to the UK around the world. I still can not fathom why an otherwise intelligent man risked his entire reputation just to earn a few quid on the American after-dinner circuit.

[his holiness nb]

I still can not fathom why an otherwise intelligent man risked his entire reputation just to earn a few quid on the American after-dinner circuit.

Two pigs just flew by the window, I agree with Sammy 

[johnneycool]

Did any of you see question time on last night with Peter Mandelson on it.

The debate was similar to this topic, Blairs legacy.

Mandelson was getting it in the ear from Ken Clarke, the Lib/Dem leader, can't remember his name about Iraq and he more or less came clean on the subject.

Blairs decision to go to Iraq was a strategic one, i.e. to keep on the good side of the Americans for whatever political and economic crumbs that fall from their table. It had very little to do with weapons of mass destruction or regime change.

Let's be honest, every British government in my lifetime would have done the same, so would David Cameron, Charles Kennedy and the rest if they were in Blairs position.

[Hardy]

Spot on Johnneycool. This has been the number one maxim of British foreign policy ever since Suez. As they see it (whether it's true or not), they don't have another option, unless they want to be Venezuela.

[Orior]

I remember exactly what I was doing when I heard the news that Thatcher had stepped down as British prime minister. It was a huge relief and everyone in the office felt like a weight had been lifted off their shoulders.

Compare that to Blair's departure - people are more worried about what is coming next.

[brokencrossbar1]

Blair will be remembered for the debacle that has been Iraq.  He deserves great praise for the Peace Process but really workes as a facilitator rather than a mover in it.  As regards being PM over a economically stable Britain, the credit for that must go to the steady hand of Brown.

Orior, I believe Brown will adopt a more insular and finance driven approach during his term of office.  He will draw back somewhat from Iraq, but not fully.  He will dole out the mullah to the North, but don't expect too many Stormont photo shoots. 

Steady and sure is his approach and I think it will continue at that with emphasis on maintaining a steady economy and bringing in further foreign investment.

[magickingdom]

I remember exactly what I was doing when I heard the news that Thatcher had stepped down as British prime minister. It was a huge relief and everyone in the office felt like a weight had been lifted off their shoulders.

Compare that to Blair's departure - people are more worried about what is coming next.

i was working in london at the time and myself and a scottish buddy (worse for wear) went outside number 10 and stole loads of flowers left fot the nice lady.. like i said earlier blair was a pleasure after listening to her. sammy is spot on iraq was to keep on uncle sam good side..