Posted on 04/13/2005 11:50:08 AM PDT by quidnunc
“You’ve been dreading this. Tony Blair has called an election. Now you are finally going to have to make up your mind: Do you hope he wins or loses?”
“Why do I have to answer that? I am not a British voter. Why can’t I just say that I’m glad that both Blair and Conservative leader Michael Howard are such strong friends of America — and that the special relationship will remain special no matter which of them wins?”
“What? Are you telling me that you, a right-wing Republican — that you can’t instantly choose between a socialist and a fellow conservative?”
“Well it’s complicated isn’t it? I mean Tony Blair has been as staunch a friend as America has in the world. From the beginning of the war on terror, he has been magnificent: brave, eloquent, thoughtful, and incredibly helpful. Don’t all Americans, right and left, owe him equal support in return? And it’s not as if his domestic record has been so very bad from a conservative point of view. UK taxes remain low by European standards. Unemployment is down, home ownership up.”
“Have you gone soft in the head? True, Blair may not be a socialist fanatic like some of his predecessors. But he’s more than bad enough. He has abolished the deduction for mortgage interest. He has raised fuel taxes. He has increased contributions to Britain’s national insurance system. And worse is definitely ahead: Blair has relaxed his grip on public spending — it’s risen from 38% of the national income to 42% over the past three years. He wants to spend even more in the years to come. That’s why it is so important to replace him now.”
“Replace him? With what? Michael Howard’s new model Conservative party is not exactly boiling with free-market zeal. They have offered a derisory tax cut — and promise almost as much new spending as Labor. And they have actually attacked some of Tony Blair’s most rational reforms, such as his proposals to charge university students more of the cost of their own education.”
-snip-
Blair is the only member of either of our left-leaning parties, who seems to elevate courage, responsibility and clarity to prominence in decision-making.
I won't deify him, since he's as human as the rest of us... but I can think of worse guys to have beside me in a gang fight.
“Why can’t British voters re-elect Blair now and then reject the Constitution later?”
“It doesn’t work like that. A victory for Blair will be interpreted as a victory for EU integration.”
“And a defeat for Blair will be interpreted as a defeat for the pro-war coalition.”
“So, hmmm, as the British say.” “Yes. Hmmm.”
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Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, indeed.
And a defeat for Blair will be interpreted as a defeat for the pro-war coalition.”
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This may be the case internationally but it is a very small issue in the UK. There is a hard core anti war movement who will vote on this issue alone. Around 10 to 15% is the figure I heard on the news. The main issues will be Immigration, the Economy and Europe. I am hoping for Michael Howard to replace Blair. Our Foreign Policy is safe in either of their hands but I do not trust Blair domestically.
One what basis do you make that comment?
I agree just hope many more Britains do in marginal seats
Sorry to pollute this thread with the following photo but it reminded me of a certain other "little red book"
History should be good to Blair.
The mistake he made was insisting that he and Bush forgo the regime change argument, and go to the UN and ask for permission on WMD, which gave SH and sons time, the left, France, Iran, Syria, and other enemies time to organize and defend SH.
And Bush was wrong make that deal with Blair, when his first instinct was to go with the previous admin, and congress on regime change.
Cheney was right all along of course.
He did look quite chinese in that collarless suit he wore a few years ago.
Nice profile page btw.
:0)
I didn't. It's part of the column.
Click on the link and read before commenting.
Lets send the folks in Ohio to Great Britain to monitor the elections.
Sorry apologies
I'm not understanding you here. PM Blair by supporting the EU Constitution is making UK foreign policy European foreign policy. Are you comfortable with that?
What's going on with UKIP?
I see what you mean. Blair supports the constitution but it will be put to referendum no matter who gets elected. You do raise a good point though as politicians tend to ignore referendum decisions they do not like. The constitution will already have been stopped by the French public so quite what will happen to it is up in the air at the moment. I am happy to have an economic un ion in Europe but when it comes to laws an dofreign policy it is not workable, too many chefs etc.
The UKIP is an interesting situation. They got a good number of EU parliament seats and I eagerly await the results of the next election. At most they are likely to get a few seats but it is really hard to tell. This election will be the most interesting and hardest to predict for a long time. I hope the Conservatives make a strong enough showing to do some good.
Can UKIP and Conservatives get together so that they can win enough seats for a Howard win and form a coalition government that will stand tough on EU encroachment and immigration?
That is a good question. Depending on how focused UKIP they might get some seat but I doubt it would be enough to tip the balance either way, although every little helps.
If it is a hung parliamnet then there will be all sorts of people jumping from one party to the other. A Conservative/UKIP alliance with a few New Labour ship jumpers could make up a coalition. It is really hard to call this election but I can say that the Conservstives will make gains and Labour will make losses but how much is pretty hard to say.
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