Tony Blair resigns tomorrow

quote:

Originally posted by Rasher:
When Nigel Lawson was chancellor he did some awful things. When he later resigned we learned that those decisions were not his own but were direct orders from Thatcher.

That's an interesting one - I always assumed Lawson was his own man as far as the economy was concerned. What examples have you?

He certainly was a canny b*d. Left office when he'd pushed the bubble as far as it would go in 1989 and vanished before the godawful crash that followed, taking Thatcher and half the Tory cabinet with it.

Whatever we think about Blair, let's not forget that the period 1985-1995 was NOT a period of economic stability!!

Lawson was undermined by Thatcher throughout his chancellor years as Thatcher relied on Sir Alan Walters for her economic advice, which lead to Lawson's resignation and the famous resignation speech (which I'm sure you can find somewhere on the web). I've found a snippet where he says: "The prime minister of the day must appoint ministers whom he or she trusts and then leave them to carry out the policy. When differences of view emerge, as they are bound to do from time to time, they should be resolved privately and, whenever appropriate, collectively".

The real killer speech of course came from Geoffrey Howe:
"...rather like sending your opening batsmen to the crease, only for them to find, as the first balls are being bowled, that their bats have been broken before the game by the team captain".

I find it extraordinary that some can think that Thatcher was a great leader. Her demise was nothing but public humiliation, brought about by her own cabinet. Then we had Major, who was frighteningly useless.

Just think back to how Blair has transformed the country. It really wasn't all bad. At least he hasn't left no.10 crying!

(quotes from BBC website, but no complete speeches unfortunately).

Sure, it has not all been bad, we have to recall what the alternative was after all. However it just feels like such a wasted opportunity, he had a huge mandate and appeared to have so much to offer. New Labour have petered out, current policies are erratic and guided by populism not philosophy. The NHS is truly being crippled by the most recent waves of reform after promising initial steps.

One significant legacy of his tenure will be seen at the next election; in yet another low turnout. The relentless spin and vacous PR Blair and his shiny happy cronies has damaged the popular perception of politics for generations.

Bruce

quote:

Originally posted by Rasher:

Then we had Major, who was frighteningly useless.


.

That's funny, I seem to recall that John Major managed to get us through the first gulf war without bringing the entire country into international odium & contempt. By the time he took over the Tory party was in complete meltdown, but he did manage to win one more election. I'd say he played a credible innings in very difficult circumstances.

Are you sure? I think you might be suffering from my own usual complaint: selective memory!

Relevant article

quote:

Originally posted by Rasher:
Are you sure? I think you might be suffering from my own usual complaint: selective memory!

Relevant article

Oh, a newspaper article by Andy McSmith, no kidding, it must be all true then !!

John Major despised, well perhaps he was in some quarters, but since then Tony Blair has re-written the book when it comes to despised Prime Ministers.

I thought Tony was ok, and things are about to get a lot worse.

quote:

Originally posted by Rockingdoc:
I thought Tony was ok, and things are about to get a lot worse.

I guess you must have been abroad for the last ten years then, Rockingdoc ! (just not in the middle east)

quote:

Originally posted by Diode100:
Oh, a newspaper article by Andy McSmith, no kidding, it must be all true then !!

Okay, fair point, but it does give the outline of events as they happened and as I remember them. No, I don't think John Major was despised either.

quote:

Originally posted by Rasher:
No, I don't think John Major was despised either.

You couldn't despise a man who had to resort to tupping Edwina currie, you just have to feel sorry for him.

quote:

Originally posted by Diode100:
You couldn't despise a man who had to resort to tupping Edwina currie, you just have to feel sorry for him.

Speak for yourself

quote:

Originally posted by Rasher:
I find it extraordinary that some can think that Thatcher was a great leader.

Surely no sane person thinks that - do they?
Vile woman IMO.
Though quite liked her on Spitting Image.

It is a shame that those who attain power are those least suited to have it - probably you have to be a ruthless wheeler dealer to make it politics, so we'll never have a great leader (it's an oxymoron).

quote:

Originally posted by ROTF:
[QUOTE]

[QUOTE] Surely no sane person thinks that - do they?
Vile woman IMO.

Parry thinks so. He even fancies her. Oh but wait..you said 'sane person' - oops!

Does anyone know what Brown stands for?

He has an uncanny ability to be silent on any issue not relating to tax and spend and always seems to disappear when the heat is on. I just don't know.

quote:

Originally posted by MichaelC:
Does anyone know what Brown stands for?

Blair's replacement on way now?

Mark

He must have a pretty good idea of what he stands for as he has sought the job for so long, he must have lived it out in full several times in his dreams. We will find out soon enough, but I sincerely hope it won't be just a caretaker role until the next general election when he gets booted out. He seems to have waited all his political life for this, so I hope one way or another he makes his mark effectively. He certainly has a tough act to follow.

I'm having dinner with a great friend of mine next week who is a true capitalist helicopter flying, yacht owning Tory, and our conversation for the evening has already begun in our emails. It'll certainly be an entertaining evening - one where we'll be having a great time arguing like hell and everyone else will be hiding under the table. I can't wait.

I think we should give him the benefit of the doubt for now.

quote:

I thought Tony was ok, and things are about to get a lot worse.

Rockingdoc

I totally agree

Perhaps it`s a blessing in disguise that Gordon takes over now.......so there is not too long before the next election.....pity that the alternative is not in such good shape

laurie

quote:

Originally posted by Rockingdoc:
I thought Tony was ok, and things are about to get a lot worse.

They are if you're a GP, he wants to retrospectively negotiate the deal, ie he wants the money back.

quote:

..so there is not too long before the next election.....pity that the alternative is not in such good shape

You ain't kidding!
It amazes me that at a time when an alternative would walk it, the Tories are a joke, and the Liberals, who should at least be an official opposition by now, are pissing on a chance in a lifetime!!! What the hell are they playing at....don't they see an opportunity when they see it? If they can't storm ahead now, then they don't ever deserve to be taken seriously. It's a blimmin' tragedy.