Filed under: Blair
Unlike everyone at PMQ’s today, I am not paying tribute to Tony Blair. Instead I would like to wax lyrically at David Cameron’s performance at PMQ’s. It was spot on in terms of tone and the points he made to the departing Mr Blair. In addition to his questions on the recent floods and what Blair’s first priority would be in his new Middle East role, David also paid a very generous tribute to Blair. He congratulated him on his 10 years as PM, he paid tribute to Blair’s achievements on Northern Ireland, and also to his support to the developing world. I guess as they say, this was totally in the spirit of the occasion. But more to the point, David’s approach prevented the usual kick about which would have only given more oxygen to the Labour side. It was the perfect way to send Blair off.
I have just come in from the blistering Gulf heat to catch a glimpse of Blair’s final PMQ’s. But before I could watch the final farewell, I had to endure what I can only describe as the over the top and somewhat ‘gushing’ coverage on Sky News’ of Blair’s departure. Clearly the British media has lost all sense of perspective over the Blair/Brown handover. I appreciate that we would expect to see an increase in media coverage of the back of a change in leader, but please! This type of coverage is down right excessive. With such back to back coverage, is it any wonder that Brown is allegedly considering an early election….
Filed under: Blair
I’ve been saying for quite a while that Tony Blair has not stepped down as PM to go away and have a quite life – hence my interest in the report that President Bush has spoken to Blair about him becoming a Middle East envoy. Now for a man who likes his travel, this could be the sort after role that he’s been looking for. Of course this report comes off the back of the weekend rumour mill that Blair had talks with the French President about becoming President of the EU – hardly the height of glamour for airmiles Blair. His official spokesman must be working in overdrive as he has indeed, stated the obvious and said that “there is a lot of speculation about the prime minister’s future”. So indeed let’s speculate. As Blair is no shrinking violet , perhaps he will further develop his appetite for the celebrity lifestyle, head for the hills, reach for the stars and work on something that would entertain us all no end……Blair the movie. I’m convinced that after the book, the movie is only a matter of time!
Filed under: Blair
Having been involved in many an office whip-round for departing colleagues, I was somewhat amused by today’s Times story that the Cabinet has held a whip round for Blair and Prescott’s leaving present. Having counted all the pennies and pounds the Cabinet whip-round amounted to £1,600. Not a sum to be sniffed at, but just pity the poor office bod who has to go out and buy a gift for those two – especially in light of Prescott’s reaction when he gets upset!
Filed under: Blair
I have only just caught up and read Blair’s media ‘like feral beast’ speech. Having read his words I have concluded that he has too little to do – hence this pointless and self indulgent speech. We all know about Labour’s shameless media management during the 1990’s. So how ironic that the king of spin himself, having been bruised by all the sleaze rows within his own Government chooses now to cry foul when the media dare show some independence of though in their reporting. I suspect the real point that Blair was trying to make with this speech, is no matter how good a politician you are, inevitably politicians cannot and will never be able to control the media.
You can listen to an extract of the speech by following this link
