Lessons from the Blair era

An orderly transition. An unprecedented House of Commons standing ovation. Tony Blair has stood down with his head held high.

I suppose he main thing I have learned from his premature departure is that not even the best and most resilient of leaders can survive the kind of character assassination that he has had to endure in his latter years. The other lesson I have learned is that the jibes of his critics said more about their own inadequacies than anything else.

Let us hope, for the sake of our continuing Labour government, that such divisive backbiting is now at and end.

Comments

[Shamik]

Stan,

Wonderfully put!

[BlairSupporter]

Stan,

Well put. I have long thought the 'feral' press barbaric in their treatment of politicians - and not just Blair. But I am not sure if they have ever been tame - only, like cats, domesticated when it suits them. And on Blair they had a feeding frenzy on discovering how they enjoyed the taste of blood.

I decided to stand by Tony Blair because I don't accept that he is the corrupt, lying, evil individual that the press must believe - (surely) - or they wouldn't have done this demolition job on him.

Having said that, it is clear that the rest of the government (and party) were either convinced the press were right in their assertions, OR, and this is more disconcerting, thought that Blair could and should take the press and resultant public flak anyway, as it was all neatly coinciding with the time when he should be handing over to whatsisname.

The last Blair PMQs was something to savour. If you haven't seen it already, you should take a look. You can find it on my website, view it and save it to your hard drive. Brilliant stuff! The MPs, with their standing ovation, all went up in my estimation for their appreciation of a great man and an outstanding politician.

[el Tom]

Not a single point you mention is in any way substantiated...

[Will Davies]

For the benefit of a broader constituency than a tight-knit band of careerists, why not now admit the truth? The man left because he took Britain into one of the worst and most murderous conflicts of living memory (arguably the worst). If this wasn't the case, he'd still be Prime Minister. But in one sense you're correct: he left with his head held high, which as Jonthan Freedland argues brilliantly, is perhaps Blair's worst and final insult. (article here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/Columnists/Column/0,,2112419,00.html )