Tony Blair makes my skin crawl....

Envy is a terrible thing grapefruit ?

Surely asking people to withdraw their comments is controlling.

Oh get a grip of yourself Chestnut.

You are not running the show. Lemon is in charge.

Stop being so dramatic Chestnut.
I simply want it made clear that I personally didn’t think the invasion of Iraq in 2003 was a ‘good or positive thing’.
It’s not a question of understanding posts. It’s a question of interpreting them.

Well, you are asking her to withdraw her comment which is an admittance that she wronged you, something she didn't do. You misunderstood.

I didn’t ask for, or expect, an apology Chestnut as you will see if you read my post.

janeainsworth - I don't think an apology is necessary. Chewbacca was not implying that you said the invasion of Iraq was a good idea, but that Blair thought it was, knowing the history.

Iam64 Thank you for your post @21.07 yesterday.

Chewbacca It does indeed janeainsworth. So how was starting a war with Iraq in 2003, and lying to the country about why invading them and starting a war was necessary, a good or positive thing to do?

Please have the courtesy to withdraw your implication that I said anywhere on this thread, or anywhere else, that the invasion of Iraq was a ‘good or positive’ thing to do.

Yes, Sure Start was something that should have continued (even if other things had to go.)

crystal ?
I had my doubts about Anthony Eden.

Same - Maggiemaybe. Additionally, the families felt they mattered. One are I remember well is a former mining area, high levels of drug/alcohol abuse since the pits closed and very little opportunity for paid work. The new community school with its library, sure start centre, health centre, midwives, health visitors, social workers all on site was a centre of excellence. Probably like many been closed now because the local council lost so much of its government grants and can no longer afford to even meet statutory duties.

There •are• plenty of complaints when unpleasant comments are made about Johnson, Farage, Corbyn, Gove etc so to say there are “no complaints “ is inaccurate.The difference is Blair is not currently in a position of real influence in any political party. The current crop of skin crawlers are. I agree Blair did put money into education, early years with Start Start, and was behind the GFA. So it’s not all negative. We can all point to disastrous policies from most ex PM as well. What about slime mould Cameron , he didn’t achieve much apart from dividing the country. Let’s pick on Margaret Thatcher and Edward. Heath next and what about Winston Churchill he wasn’t that marvellous at some things. Don’t get me started on Harold MacMillan ....

I worked in education in a very deprived area, and remember such Blairite initiatives as Sure Start and Every Child Matters making a huge and positive difference. The academy system did, I think, start then, but was nothing like the disgraceful gravy train it has since become for some academy trusts. We had guidelines relating to keeping uniform costs down, community support officers who built up a rapport with pupils and parents and made a massive difference in the area, funding for experiences for the children that they would never otherwise have had, proper training for admin staff so that they could take over premises and financial tasks and let senior teaching staff focus on teaching. Funding for teaching assistants, for a music specialist.

It actually felt as though the government cared for those children living in poverty and that genuine attempts were being made to give them a better chance of a decent life. I wonder what the legacy of this current government will be?

Why is this thread any worse than those about anyone else?
Remember the JRMogg thread? The Farage thread? The Boris Johnson thread ( still ongoing) .....etc.
Oh....’is it cos I is Labour’ kind of thing?
Is Tony Blair beyond reproach?!

Those of you who despise immigration, come out, don't be afraid
Don't be so dramatic. It's the concept of 'open door' immigration that most people dislike and also where unidentifiable people slink into the country illegally and disappear. This means we have no idea who has entered (could be terrorists or criminals) and surely no-one actually thinks that's a good thing. If they do then I'd like to know why.

He still thinks he is a voice to be listened to

Ah, if only Call me Dave would come back....

Those of you who despise immigration, come out, don't be afraid....what exactly is your problem?

You are anonymous here, so please share.

re " austerity"......I was talking to people collecting for our local foodbank today. These are middle class people in an affluent area btw. They were in tears telling me the desperation they encounter.

I'm sorry, but why? the fourth most wealthy country and children are starving, I don't recall that during the Blair years.

Chewbacca I'm sure janeainsworth is well able to argue her own corner. I'm responding to your question about how stating the war in Iraq in 2003 'and lying to the country about why invading them... was necessary, a good or positive thing to do"
I suspect janea, like me would never claim that anything positive came of the invasion. I don't know about janea but I was one of the thousands marching under the Not in my Name banner. It's one of those occasions when being proved right is no consolation.
I can't defend anything about Iraq. I can claim that the Blair government did some good things in deprived areas I worked in. Family Centres, Community Schools, focus on education, health, midwives, health visitors and early years, all excellent. Research is clear - early years focus and spending makes for a safer, better society.

Conflict in the Middle East predates Tony Blair by decades, if not centuries.

It does indeed janeainsworth. So how was starting a war with Iraq in 2003, and lying to the country about why invading them and starting a war was necessary, a good or positive thing to do? The Chilcott enquiry said, in its summary of the case: "I think any prime minister taking a country into war has got to be straight with the nation and carry it, so far as possible, with
him or her. I don’t believe that was the case in the Iraq instance.”

He was led by his emotions; not actual evidence or intelligence.

And yes TerriBull, the death of Dr David Kelly is another cloud that remains unanswered.

Whilst I agree there has been trouble in the Middle East, well certainly since the Balflour Declaration and possibly before that, I do think the public were mislead on the WMD issue that pre-empted the Iraq Invasion. Then of course there is the cloud that surrounds the questionable death of Dr David Kelly the subject of many an article and documentary.

we knew Thatcher was a Tory but Blair sailed under the Labour name.
We were betrayed.

Conflict in the Middle East predates Tony Blair by decades, if not centuries.

Agreed Chewbacca - all our current problems stem from the Blair years, Middle East policy and open door immigration. On balance he did much more harm than good.

So you need so stop harking back and concentrate on what's happening before our very eyes right now.

And the Middle East is in the turmoil it's in now, is a direct result of the action that Blair took 're his "weapons of mass destruction" lies. We're still reaping what he sowed and so it's still relevant.