Updated 6th May, 2007
Comment at end of page
[Picture taken on 4th May, the day after Labour's drubbing at the local, Welsh and Scottish elections. Doesn't let life's little problems get him down, does he?]
It’s fairly clear what this blog’s about. I put it up in September 2006, before his amazing speech to conference, in order to counteract the mass of anti-Blair blogs which seem to have appeared in recent months. Some might say that the reason for the burgeoning of such sites is simply that the Prime Minister has lost the support of many who supported him before, and therefore such sites are to be expected. Well, maybe. Certainly Iraq and other issues around the PM and government have raised some questions in some minds. But I do believe that not enough has been written in support of Tony Blair, his record as the country’s Prime Minister and his present position. That’s what this blog will concentrate on.
You’ll have to forgive me if I am, therefore, not allowing every 
comment posted to be published here. This blog is not for the moaners and groaners.
You can leave a message on any of the posts to the left, or on any of the pages which take your interest.
Tony Blair at Prime Minister’s Questions on 18th October, 2006
December 23, 2006 at 9:47 am |
Hi, just to say the list is from the Labour Party website. One of my New Year resolutions is to email them to say there is an awful lot they have missed out. For example employment rights (my own particular field) have been utterly transformed under Labour, and there is barely a mention of this.
I think your mention on CiF was in the thread “And the nominations are…” Georgina Henry, 21 December.
I posted the list of 50 achievements on the Compass website (Peter Hain’s thread, 15 November 06), and added the following achievements myself:
51. Lowered the service requirement from 2 years to 1 year in unfair dismissal cases.
52. Right to recognition for trade unions after CAC ballot.
53. Strengthening the disability discrimination laws.
54. Changing the burden of proof in sex, race, disability discrimination cases in favour of the claimant.
55. Rights for part-time workers, temporary workers, working time directive.
56. Civil partnerships
57. Partner pension rights for gay workers in public sector pension schemes.
59. £9m union learning fund.
I’m sure there are a lot more…
I have also posted them on CiF, under “In the spirit of Christmas”, Georgina Henry, 21 December. It drew the usual negative responses.
You might also have a look at Polly Toynbee’s thread 22 December “The Indignation Deficit” on CiF, to which I have added a couple of comments.
I wouldn’t bother posting this up on your website to reply to me – you can always contact me through pier.pressure@yahoo.co.uk.
Cheers, and keep up the good work, I have really enjoyed your interventions on CiF, they just can’t make you out!
Cheers.
January 3, 2007 at 8:39 pm |
Congratulations on your website! Across the full range of policies Blair is the most successful PM of my lifetime–and I go back to Atlee! No wonder the media hates him! As for being remembered only for Iraq–not by me he won’t.I’ll remember him for all the reasons set out by Seasider–but above all for the three thrashings he gave to the Tories
January 3, 2007 at 9:12 pm |
Thank you very much for your comment, Bernard. It’s great to hear from you. I still have the naive hope that he won’t go for a while yet. A brilliant prime minister. The way they have treated this consummate politician and election winner it’s a shame we can’t get rid of the rest of his party and keep him ;0)
Please pass the word to anyone you know who’d like to leave a positive message here.
Many thanks.
February 4, 2007 at 10:00 am |
Nice to see today’s Observer Leader, which hasn’t pleased the anti-Blair headbangers but certainly made my day. It picks up on many of the points BlairSupporter, MarkGreen0, myself and a few others have been making about the “cash-for-peerages” smear campaign.
John Rentoul in today’s Independent also makes some very good points.
I detect a growing sympathy and support for Blair thanks to Yates of the Yard’s posturing. The Tories did themselves no favours with the “Government in paralysis” spin which doesn’t really cut the mustard when there is so much going on. The media’s bubble was burst when they realised it was Yates and not Blair who called for the media blackout of Blair’s second interview (as a witness, not a suspect).
All in all, a very good week!
The website is looking really good! You’re not after a peerage are you…!?
February 25, 2007 at 12:28 am |
Hi BlairSupporter, re Marina Hyde Sat 24 Feb 06, late at night, no need to post this – just a response to your post…
Yep I must admit to an error earlier re Comical Ali. I also admit the post you refer to is a little confusing. It’s all down to having a life, stuff to do, been a difficult day…trying to post in between it all.
What I meant was, one post from MarkGreen0 is worth at least five times anything this columnist, who attracts a small weekly crowd of baying, slavering support, can ever command. Even though I must admit she has done well for herself, starting off as an English graduate secretarial trainee at the Sun.
I suppose it helps to catch the eye of the editor, even if he is, you know, that chap who got done for dodgy share dealing. Typical socialist household. Anyway, this post will no doubt censored by the Guardian so I’ve posted it to you via your website as you may not see it before it gets chopped.
Anyway, in other words, I would rather read MarkGreen0 – or indeed you – any day.
Sorry for the confusion.
February 25, 2007 at 12:56 am |
Hey guess what? Just checked CiF, and would you believe it, I did get chopped. What a surprise!
January 25, 2008 at 12:03 pm |
Just a few final comments.
Unlike you I am Labour Party member, and have been for 25 years. In football there is a saying “No player is bigger than the club” and that applies to politics too. I felt sad when Spurs dumped Martin Jol, but look at them now! Not just in the Carling Cup Final – they trashed the Gooners 5-1 to get there. So I still believe in miracles, and I am still a Labour Party member and probably always will be. I support Labour because I feel it’s the only party which pays more than lip service to issues such as social justice and equality.
Blair is now long gone from British politics but he has been warmly welcomed to the world stage, where he gets the recognition he deserves for being the most outstanding political leader of his generation. He is contributing to the Middle East peace process and if anyone can make progress there, he can. And it would be great to see him lead Europe.
There is plenty of derisive and dismissive talk about Blair’s “legacy” but today’s Britain is a more liberal, tolerant society, and a consensus on public service standards and funding which opposition parties cannot ignore.
It may have taken too long to achieve, and there were many mistakes along the way, but Iraq is now a safer, better place to live than it was under the genocidal tyranny of Saddam Hussein and his Ba’athist death squads. Of course, opponents of the Iraq war will never accept it, but the “surge” has worked – it is plain for all to see.
It is interesting that Brown is now finding out just what a difficult job Blair did with such consummate ease for so long. Despite ten years as Chancellor, he was clearly unprepared for the top job but as a Labour supporter I hope he can develop and improve. It clearly doesn’t help that he is surrounded by acolytes who have spent ten years (and more) planning the demise of the party leader.
I’m pretty sure that there will be no election now until 2010. Can Brown hang on to the leadership that long? I’m not sure I would put money on it.
Look out Gordon, your mates with the sharp knives are behind you all the way.
January 25, 2008 at 1:02 pm |
Hi Seasider,
Long time no chat!
Yes, I know … you’re absolutely right. No-one’s indispensable. And Blair is now where he rightfully belongs – on the world stage. But don’t you miss him? And doesn’t Labour now realise that none of this – “how long will Brown last” stuff need have happened? If only they’d hung onto their winner.
As soon as the election never happened, I assumed Brown would try to hang on until 2010 – in the hope that things can only get better! Don’t know if they’ll try to replace him though. There’s no decent alternative, after all. A lightweight cabinet.
I think, to be fair, the Lib Dems also ascribe to social justice and equality. But they are a lost cause, as usual, mainly because they’ve got a duff leader in Clegg. Should have been Cable. At least he is competent economically as well as sharp with the repartee. Still, I am not with them in their Iraq policy.
And Cameron – well, early Blair charm, but lacking Blair’s promise.
What do you think about the vision thing and Gordon? I’ve yet to spot it. But perhaps I’m missing something.
All the best.