Posted on 11/14/2004 8:15:16 PM PST by oldbrowser
Blair defies critics to stand by US alliance By Cathy Newman, Chief Political Correspondent Published: November 14 2004 22:00 | Last updated: November 14 2004 22:00
Europe must unite with the US under the banner of democracy to defeat the scourge of terrorism around the world, Tony Blair will urge on Monday.
The prime minister will defy leftwing critics of the war in Iraq to mount an impassioned defence of Britain's “special relationship” with the US.
In his annual foreign policy speech at the Mansion House in London, Mr Blair will lay out his vision shared with George W. Bush, US president that global terrorism will be defeated only by the spread of democracy. That is the message that should bind Europe and the US, he will indicate, challenging opponents who describe him as Mr Bush's “poodle” by arguing that a strong alliance with both is in Britain's national interest.
The prime minister returns to the offensive over the Anglo-American relationship despite deepening unease among Labour backbenchers about the aftermath of the war in Iraq and Mr Blair's dealings with the US president.
Both men appear to be hoping that domestic opposition to the war in Iraq may be neutralised if a stable democracy is installed through elections in January.
Speaking on NBC's Meet the Press yesterday, Mr Blair said: “I think we get an immense amount out of this relationship, because we believe in the same things, we share the same interests. And, you know, where would we be, as Britain or as Europe, if America disengaged from the world and said, “Well, you guys go and sort out allthe problems of the world.”
“So, you know, when people say to me, ‘Where's your payback from this relationship,' my answer is: My payback is the relationship. It is an important relationship for Britain and America.”
A Downing Street insider said on Sunday night: “What you need is democratic world opinion to be united in the pursuit of democracy. In various parts of the world, and the Middle East is one of them, while America has the power Europe has immense amounts of areas of influence.”
However, the reaction of Labour backbenchers suggested that today's speech may do little to ease his problems with the party at Westminster.
John Denham, the former minister who resigned in opposition to Britain's backing for war in Iraq, told the FT last night that he did not believe Mr Blair's speech would resolve the question of what Britain and Europe should do if the Americans refused to put sufficient pressure on the Israelis as part ofthe Middle East peaceprocess.
“The question is to what extent does Britain or indeed other European Union countries take the view that the peace process is in the hands of the Americans, and therefore if the Americans can't deliver there's nothing much that anyone else can do . . . That's the question that won't go away,” he said.
The UK left are upset about getting cut off from Saddam's bribe list.
Some of that should come out during their elections.
Okay now weren't a bunch of freepers dissing Blair the other day after some one posted a story about how upset Blair apparently was over Bushes with? I think some of you oh Mr. Blair an apology.
Any apoligies should be sent privately.
I think some of you oh Mr. Blair an apology.
Blair is the best ally the U.S. has on the war on terror, if he falls we have big problems.
Blair gets it. Some of the folks on this forum should think before speaking too soon. The British and Americans have been side by side through many dark times, and despite the efforts of the Guardian, I think this special relationship should stnd.
the backbenchers and Democrats should get together and move to France.
Before the trial is over, Tony Blair will be a hero to the Brits. I'm also hoping that the BBC might have it's license yanked. That's a very real possibility if they don't straighten up.
All of the British MSM is left wing just like ours, they will be spinning everything to the left.
The British MSM is every bit as biased and angry and ours. Blair may be in trouble, but the main reason is that he has committed the same "crimes" (in the eyes of the liberal MSM) as Bush. If he loses his election, we've lost our staunchest ally, and Britain has lost a leader with courage and conviction.
Send Karl Rove to Britain
I've heard stories on here where Americans are treated like crap in England, from the people on the street. Is everybody on the streets of London leftist?
I agree! This guy MUST be re-elected. Only he and John Howard are on our side, really.
ping
"From what I'm gathering, isn't Blair under attack from more conservative elements of the British government? Isn't the top contender for his position a more pro-American candidate? Can you shed some further light on this, BritishBulldog?"
Blair, although a shifty-lefty himself, is "the more conservative element" in the British government. He is under attack by the lefties (within his own Labour Party and outside) for his support of the Iraqi war (and also because they want him out so they can impose even more socialist policy on us all). The real conservatives (ie the Tory Party) support the war & back the US but are attacking Blair not so much over the war itself but on the lies he told when selling it to the House of Commons (Blair can't just send in the troops on his own call, it needed to be voted on in Parliament and he DID at least stretch the truth when he was selling the idea to parliament)
As some may know, I am not a Blair fan, but I do back his stance on Iraq (although I question his motives). Politically he is nowhere near conservative although it has been noted that an anagram of "Tony Blair MP" is "I'm Tory plan B" ;o)
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