I CAN'T let today pass by without chipping in about Tony Blair's 10 years in office.
There was some sensible analysis on the Today programme this morning courtesy of ex-Tory MP Michael Portillo and ex-Lib Dem leader Paddy Ashdown.
Portillo, whose humiliating defeat at the hands of New Labour on that fateful night in 1997 would give him enough reason to feel aggrieved with PM, actually gave him a glowing tribute.
However, both men were united in their assessment that Blair will go down as a 'good' rather than a 'great' Prime Minister.
But they added that his 'legacy' will only become clear in the years to come.
I tend to agree with them. I know it's a bit of a cliche but it's always easier to see once the dust has settled. Whether Iraq will be the only thing he's remembered for is something for us all to think about.
But his ability to win elections is amazing and Labour won't find it as easy once he's out of office. I just don't think Gordon Brown has the same charasmatic streak in him. David Cameron does, and that's why the Conservatives have high hopes of getting back in at the next general election.
As for Blair, there was some discussion in the Addy offices today as to what he will do next. The consensus was that he'll probably lie low for a bit and then write a book.
If he does, he won't run out of things to write about too easily...
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