open Democracy News Analysis - Tony Blair's genius, Roger Scruton - Comments

andrew.jones on "Tony Blair’s genius"

andrew.jones — Sun, 24 Dec 2006 08:18:52 +0000

Can I suggest that if the British people still think that the Labour Party is the friend of health, education and social services, "despite the fact that all three are in a state of near collapse", that these same people still remember the lack of respect given to these institutions during the Conservative years. If they are collapsing, it is due to central management which Labour seem so misguidedly keen on. Blair has failed the UK in many ways (Iraq, Lords reform and many others) but his instinct is usually excellent (Diana, Northern Ireland, health, education, Pinochet arrest, Africa poverty, minimum wage among many). In comparison to previous governments, I believe him to be no more nor no less sleazy and in comparison to world leader during his time, he stands higher than most.

owly on "Tony Blair’s genius"

owly — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 15:07:39 +0000

This is without question the most sleazy government I can ever remember, but I think the reason why the electorate has largely 'turned a blind eye' to this corruption is down to the way these issues have been presented in the media. By and large most people have their views shaped by television not by broadsheet newspapers. Again, by and large, the journalistic output from the broadcast media is wholly sympathetic to Labour and the government in a way it never was to the Tories. In most newsrooms never a right of centre thought is allowed to be had, dominated as they are by predominately left of centre types who can no longer see another point of view other than their own. So Labour sleaze has been swept under the carpet. Eventually the electorate will say enough is enough.

John Griffin on "Tony Blair’s genius"

John Griffin — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 17:27:29 +0000

The missing point from this article is that is not'the Labour Party' that has done this or that, but 'New Labour' who have so diminished the party and demolished any pretentions to democracy (or indeed membership!), much as they have diminished further any remaining semblance of democracy and representativeness in the country generally. It is merely the culmination of the process fired off in the late 70's and onwards by the 'Thatcherites'. To blame or eulogise Blair alone is to pretend the achievement is his - not so by a long way!

Tony Blair's genius, Roger Scruton

Mon, 18 Dec 2006 00:00:00 +0000

The British prime minister has replaced real politics with a carefully crafted fiction, says Roger Scruton. Read the rest of this post...