Blair's Legacy

[Colr]

As Boney Tony's time is coming to an end and he has his legacy on his mind, I wondered what positive things he will be credited for after his 9 years in office.

For me its ASBOs - they seem to have made a genuine difference in dealing with bampots.

[Bartok]

Originally Posted by Colr

As Boney Tony's time is coming to an end and he has his legacy on his mind, I wondered what positive things he will be credited for after his 9 years in office.

For me its ASBOs - they seem to have made a genuine difference in dealing with bampots.

The obituary/hagiography may be a bit premature, no? Anyway, he will get the credit for bringing the Labour Party back from the wilderness, that will be his greatest achievement. His years in office were a steady hand at the tiller, marred by wee mistakes like support for Iraq. Unspectacular record in office really, but solid.

[egb_hibs]

I'd go with DC, although i'd give him a wee bit more credit for it. I think that, along with Margaret Thatcher, he has moved the centre of gravity of british politics. I think his reinvention of Labour is a work of near genious for which the whole country, not just labour supporters, ought to be grateful.

Incidentally, one of the reasons I think he has held on so long, is to try and affect the generational change which would secure this position. he may yet fail to achieve this, and this will be a tragedy for him, because a reactionary and self-destructive labour party really would amount to an insubstantial legacy.

[Colr]

Originally Posted by egb_hibs

I'd go with DC, although i'd give him a wee bit more credit for it. I think that, along with Margaret Thatcher, he has moved the centre of gravity of british politics. I think his reinvention of Labour is a work of near genious for which the whole country, not just labour supporters, ought to be grateful.

Incidentally, one of the reasons I think he has held on so long, is to try and affect the generational change which would secure this position. he may yet fail to achieve this, and this will be a tragedy for him, because a reactionary and self-destructive labour party really would amount to an insubstantial legacy.

Intersting statement. Thatcher's legacy was a united, centre rightesque Labour party and a divider Tory party. Blair's may yet be a united centre right Tory party and a divided Labour party.

[Colr]

Originally Posted by DaddyK

Historically I think it will be:

1. Stabilising Ulster.
2. Starting the break-up of the unitary state through devolution to Scotland and Wales.
3. Stopping smoking in public places.
4. Making political funding more accountable.
5. Going to war in Iraq, the legacy there is far too early to give an opinion on in my view.
6. Being part of a more realistic Europe.
7. Healing things after the Tory disaster.
8. Raising folk out of poverty, is something that is underplayed, but has on the whole been achieved.

Quite a lot really.

Oh and giving Rory Bremner a career
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Abolition of the House of Lords
School building program.
Minimum wage
Planning policy which promoted urban regeneration in our cities.
Creating a market based NHS wage structure.

[egb_hibs]

He has indeed achieved a lot. I have recently been mulling whether, in typically contrarian fashion, I may at the 11th hour, be tempted to proclaim the man a genious. Even though for much of the way through I have disliked him, as I do today.

In summing up, he is the kinder face of thatcherism - the healer, who as daddyk notes, was required once the revolution had prevailed.

[Colr]

Originally Posted by DaddyK

It's not abolished is it
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Only in its previous form - more's the pity.