“Hand on heart, I did what I thought was right …”
You Tube video of Tony Blair’s retirement speech, 10 May 2007. Click on the arrow on video to play.
Or click here to see the video on You Tube and find some more videos of Tony Blair
Here’s another version for Blair junkies, (like me!)
Or below – He did it HIS WAY- Click here to play video
Supporters’ placards read – “Cherie, Thanks For Lending Us Your Husband” and “Britain Says Thanks”
At his Sedgefield constituency there was some real emotion and fondness between the Prime Minister and the people who appreciate him. Although he is described as “touchy-feely” this is the first time that I can recall seeing him come into such close physical contact with people. All quite moving really. Don’t know if the bodyguard was quite as trusting or happy, but Mr Blair might just have felt safer amongst his party members than inside his own government.
A major security headache
12th May, 2007 The Economist has its take on Tony Blair’s retirement, as well as several excellent articles on the Prime Minister. View here I thank them for their well-balanced content, as well as for their link to this blog.
10th May, 2007 In an emotional speech – both vintage Blair and humble – to his constituency party in Sedgefield the Prime Minister told them and the waiting world that he would hand in his political keys to the Queen on 27th June. Read full transcript here. After listening to the speech I’ve realised why I identify with Tony Blair. We both thought similarly about the divide in politics in this country when we were teenagers. I remember thinking, “Why do people feel they have to vote according to class?” Well, that’s how I recall questioning things. Not so much about the policies, as Blair enunciated the other day – except that the Tories were for business, and the Labour party was about public services. More about the ‘class divide’.And that’s why he appealed across parties to so many of us in 1997. Helping us leave that attitude behind has, possibly, changed politics forever in this country. And that’s but ONE major change for the good.
Another video – this time a little shorter than the full one above, and with some commentary from Nick Robinson and Jon Sopel.
Not a day for soundbites, but here are a few quotes, anyway:
“I have been Prime Minister of this country for just over 10 years. In this job, in the world today, that is long enough, for me but more especially for the country.”
“Sometimes the only way you conquer the pull of power is to set it down. It is difficult to know how to make this speech today. There is a judgment to be made on my premiership. And in the end that is, for you, the people to make.”
“Expectations were so high. Too high. Too high in a way for either of us.”
“Now in 2007, you can easily point to the challenges, the things that are wrong, the grievances that fester.”
“There is only one Government since 1945 that can say all of the following:More jobsFewer unemployedBetter health and education resultsLower crimeAnd economic growth in every quarter.This one.”
“Britain is not a follower today. Britain is a leader.”
“What I had to learn, however, as Prime Minister, was what putting the country first really meant.
“Decision-making is hard. Everyone always says: listen to the people. The trouble is they don’t always agree.”
“Doubt, hesitation, reflection, consideration and re-consideration: these are all the good companions of proper decision-making. But the ultimate obligation is to decide.”
“Sometimes, as with the completely unexpected, you are alone with your own instinct.”
“Then came the utterly unanticipated and dramatic. September 11th 2001 and the
death of 3,000 or more on the streets of New York.
… 9/11. I decided we should stand shoulder to shoulder with our oldest ally. I did so out of belief. So Afghanistan and then Iraq. The latter, bitterly controversial.”
“But the blowback since, from global terrorism and those elements that support it,
has been fierce and unrelenting and costly. For many, it simply isn’t and can’t be worth it. For me, I think we must see it through. They, the terrorists, who threaten us here and round the world, will never give up if we give up. It is a test of will and of belief. And we can’t fail it.”
“I was, and remain, as a person and as a Prime Minister, an optimist. Politics may be the art of the possible; but at least in life, give the impossible a go.”
“But I ask you to accept one thing. Hand on heart, I did what I thought was right. I may have been wrong. That’s your call. But believe one thing if nothing else. I did what I thought was right for our country.”
“I have been very lucky and very blessed. This country is a blessed nation. The British are special. This is the greatest nation on earth.”
“It has been an honour to serve it. I give my thanks to you, the British people, for the times I have succeeded, and my apologies to you for the times I have fallen short.
Good luck.”
Those last two words are still with me. They were not by any means the ONLY words that stuck with me. How could they be after all he said, wearing his heart on his sleeve in the way that only he can do amongst our present politicians, and still get away with it.But what DID strike me was the WAY he said “good luck”. Just like that. It was a few seconds before we realised that he was actually finished.Mr Blair knows EXACTLY what he is saying and HOW he is saying it. He almost threw the phrase away and had to raise his hands to let the audience know it was over. Why?We certainly knew when he was finished in Manchester – “… you’re the future now, so make the most of it”. [In other words – ‘you’ve made your decision to show me the door, so though I was your future once, I’m not any more, and it’s all up to you now. If you fail, well, it’s not MY fault any more.’]But, “good luck” – and not with any notable timbre to his voice – nothing special – not hopeful, not upbeat, not chirpy, not sad, not resigned, not desperate. I STILL don’t quite get it, but since this is Mr Blair, it must have meant something ;0)Enigmatic? Perhaps it just meant – “I’m not going to stir it for anyone else in the party or the government”.Enough of that. The rest of the speech was vintage Blair, and many commentators and journalists have said all that needs to be said. I haven’t the inclination or need to work through it all, so I’ve linked through to some of the comment I’ve found. See below.View full Sky News recording (16 mins)Click the arrow on the YouTube video. “My Way” – this song might have been written for Tony Blair, or the rest of us. The human condition? View BBC recording (18 mins)BBC report on retirement announcement 10 May 2007 – SedgefieldHe spelt out his political philosophy and said that expectations in 1997 were probably too high.BBC – Report on The Blair YearsWas he stabbed in the back as Eddie Mair asked Peter Hain today on PM? Of course he was, Mr Hain and YOU know it…Thus has he been, in David Cameron’s words – “the living dead” for the last eight months? Obviously NOT.His political opponents have been less than generous after his speech today but somehow I don’t think the dispassionate voters will feel the same way.View and Listen to “Phone Calls To Tony” – from such as Alastair Campbell & Boris Johnston.Yes, he may have been playing the tragic hero – but that’s what he IS – let’s be honest! And no amount of cynical, ungenerous commentary from today’s mediocre political pygmies will make me change my opinion that we are losing a good man, and great politician, whose motivation was genuine.What they said about Blair’s retirement announcement.The Economist – extensive reportingEU thoughts on Blair – EU leaders have largely paid tribute to Blair’s contribution to the European UnionPeter Mandelson – “Don’t let Labour sink back into its old instincts.”
American Thoughts on Blair White House spokesman Tony Snow called Blair “an extraordinary leader of the United Kingdom.”
The Boston Globe – “Blair departure robs Bush of key ally”
Northern Ireland – Belfast Telegraph – “After 37 journeys, Tony’s diplomacy pays off … Ireland had entangled and distracted British prime ministers for a century and a half before Mr Blair. If he has succeeded, his successors will have a lot to thank him for.”
Blair & Northern Ireland – The long road to a peaceful settlement
Australian Thoughts – “The former Opposition leader, Kim Beazley, said Mr Blair had decided it was the right time to leave and was genuinely undecided about what his next career move would be.”
New Zealand Herald – Staying with the US – “An honourable epitaph”
“Experience has left the conviction in Whitehall that the security of Britain and the West depends ultimately on ensuring the US is never left alone. An America left alone raises two fearful possibilities for British foreign policy: a reversion to popular isolationism in US politics or unilateral adventurism. Neither is a comfortable prospect for international good order and every country’s ultimate security.
Mr Blair said, ‘Believe one thing if nothing else: I did what I thought was right for our country.’ He did that. He deserves credit for doing so probably knowing the price he would pay for the American folly. It is not how he would have wanted to end his tenure at the top, but it is an honourable epitaph.”
The Guardian – Flash Videos of Blair Years 1997 – 2007, with interviews
The Guardian – Legacies Are Made of This. Ten policy areas studied
Iraq Ended Our Love Affair with ‘The Master’ – Jonathan Freedland
Blair’s Exit Plans – So What Happens Next? – BBC guidelines
UK Christians – pay tribute to Blair
Christian Science Monitor – “Decade of peace and war … a mixed legacy”
President Bush Video – “When Blair tells you something, you can take it to the bank” says President Bush (text)
Downing Street Announces – Tony Blair Resigns
IRAQI ENGINEER – Iraq is losing an important, supportive politician:
In southern Basra, where British soldiers have been based since 2003, some worried the city will fall into chaos when Britain reduces its troop presence.
“Blair’s resignation will have a negative effect on Iraq,” said Karim Abdullah, a 45-year-old engineer. “Iraqis will lose an important politician who was supportive of the Iraqi people, especially in Basra, where the British army gave a good example of cooperation with the locals.”
LORD NEIL KINNOCK (former party leader):
“There is one word for Tony Blair – Winner.”
FRANK FIELD MP:
The Labour MP Frank Field said he was “saddened” by Mr Blair’s resignation. He told GMTV’s Sunday programme: “We’re divorcing the person who’s been most successful in winning us elections and doing it in almost a clinical fashion.” He added: “My guess is as we never, ever, ever produced anybody like him to win elections, in 18 months time we may be looking back to this week and thinking, ‘Wow! How extraordinary that we shoe-horned him out in this fashion!’
More to come here later. In the meantime a little tale of yore – Ancient Britons and the Lost Leader
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Tags: 1. Tony Blair, I did what I thought was right, retirement speech
Tony Blair 
May 16, 2007 at 10:22 am |
Tony Blair led the Labour Party to an unprecedented three general election victories and spent 10 years governing from Number 10. During this time, he redefined the nature of government, for better or worse, presided over innumerable scandals and led the nation into five wars. Tony claimed, hand on heart, that he did what he thought was right. In your opinion, did he do well enough?
http://www.goodbyetony.co.uk
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