ShareThisAn editorial / By Dale McFeatters
The Bush administration has few allies in the world, and it is now going to lose the staunchest of them.
Facing a growing revolt in his own party, British Prime Minister Tony Blair announced last week that he would step down within the year, well before the 2010 statutory date for the next election.
The plan presumably is for a seamless handover to Blair's heir apparent, the dour chancellor of the exchequer, Gordon Brown, who has the tricky task of positioning himself to replace the prime minister without looking as if he were trying to push his patron out the door.
This may not sit well with the voting public, the newly resurgent Conservative Party or others within Labor who may not see the transition as all that automatic. Whomever Labor settles on will automatically be prime minister until a new national election is called.
The thinking is that Blair will want to stay on at least through next May, the 10th anniversary of his premiership, but having put a time limit on being a lame duck, he may face growing pressure to just get it over with.
Blair resuscitated a crushed and demoralized party, presided over a decade of economic prosperity and made significant improvements in health services, the schools and law enforcement. British politics answers to its own dynamics, but it does seem as if the Brits simply grow tired of their leaders after a certain point.
Certainly Blair's close association with George W. Bush did him no good. Bush is disliked in Britain and especially within Labor. Blair was an early and forceful advocate of the war with Iraq; indeed, it was often remarked on how Blair would come to Washington and articulate and argue for Bush's positions better than Bush. The fatal blow to his popularity ratings may have come when he stood with Bush in delaying a demand for a cease-fire in Lebanon.
One rap against Blair was that his breezy, upbeat manner, comfort with the TV cameras and glad-handing was too much like that of an American politician.
Blair has had a remarkable run _ he is the second-longest-serving prime minister since 1827 _ and all things must end, but this came way too soon for the Bush White House.
British PM Blair 'glad-hands' Party Faithful.
Blair wows the Party faithful today as he gives his 'farewell speech'. Just like Frank Sinatras 'I did it my way' song. Mr Blair will be like a bad penny, he will just not 'go away'.
The so-called British Labour Party unity will not last long. Once the festival frivolities have worn off in the cold grey light of dawn, the internal squabbling will continue. The simple reason they just cannot help themselves. Blairs Cabinet of colleagues all suffer from 'Colective Compulsive Behaviour Disorder", they ahve this emotional need to interfere and tinker with all aspects of British society. The sniping between the Blair supporters and the 'PM Elect', Gordak 'Gollum - I want yer precious cash' Browne will continue behind the scenes.
As for the British governments policies, nothing will change... It will be 'more of same'.... more government interference, more 'Spin', and 'Lies'. More attempts to pull the wool over the British Publics' eyes. However the British Public are wise to the 'Tellers of Tall Tales of Derring Do', and all that will come about are the usual worn out policies and good old fashioned incompetence.
Nothings changes, nothing changes...so nothing will change!!!
"be careful of the toes you stand on today, they may be connected to ass you may have to kiss tomorrow"