Ranking Tony Blair
Martin Kettle, writing in The Guardian (UK) offers a thoughtful appraisal of Tony Blair's tenure as PM. In the process he does some comparative analysis by citing evaluations of U.S. Presidents.Blair may not be gold, but he deserves at least a bronze
"The outgoing prime minister won't rank with Churchill or Gladstone, but - despite Iraq - he has done good for Britain
"Since the 1832 Reform Act - and we have to draw a starting line - this country has had 30 prime ministers up to and including Blair...
"[E]lectoral popularity is not enough. Nor is governing through prosperous times - though neither is exactly irrelevant to weighing up a prime ministerial career. For all their very many faults - and worse than faults in the case of Iraq - Blair's governments have done well for our people and our country. It is time for Blair to go, but a prime ministerial bronze medal is the least he deserves."
Labels: leadership, UK
posted by Ken Wedding @ 6:17 AM
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This analysis article by the BBC's Nick Assinder offers the behind the scenes story explaining Blair's resignation.
Why is Tony Blair stepping down?
"Tony Blair won an unprecedented three elections in a row, served for a decade in Downing Street and is widely viewed in the Labour Party as the best leader it has had for a generation or more.
"So exactly why is he quitting at this time[?]...
"To explain his exit you have to go back to a fateful dinner between Mr Blair and Gordon Brown at the Granita restaurant in Islington in 1994...
"The precise details of that deal have long been contested but it appears to have included a promise that Mr Brown would have unparalleled power over domestic policy as chancellor - and that Mr Blair would step down and hand over power at some future date..."
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