Why???

[WBA123]

Not sure Blair did have fantastic domestic policies. His version of New Labour was initially like a new broom and many welcomed it but wasn't long before many also began to see the smarm behind the charm. Yes, he did some good things such as making the Bank of England independent, reforming the House of Lords, bringing in a minimum wage and playing a big part in the Good Friday agreement but his public sector reforms such as the creation of nhs trusts and school academies were controversial the time and I believe many of the current problems within both health and education have their roots in these policies. He, like Thatcher before him, oversaw continuing deregulation of the financial sector and easier borrowing meant that many people were better off for a period under New Labour -but we all know how that ended in 2008. He -like Boris-also likes the limelight too much for my liking. As for the Iraq issue, I find it hard not to find him culpable given the search for non existent WMDs etc.

I don't agree with all of it, but I think this a fair and balanced post.

My point is you can make cases against policy decisions for any politician, and I'd include the Iraq war as a policy decision.

The reason I most disliked Boris mostly was not because of policy decisions, but his flawed personal character. For that reason alone, he is the worst PM we've ever had in my opinion.

[Leicesterbaggie]

How anybody can claim that Blair's economic policies were a success is beyond me. On his departure somebody left a note to the Tories saying, ' Best of luck! The cupboard's bare.'
Yes, Johnson has lied and should go now but again to claim that Blair didn't know that there were no WMD's is again beyond belief. Everybody else seemed to know, except him!
As for Alistair Campbell, he didn't cover himself with glory on 'Question Time'. Arrogant and extremely rude.

[mickd1961]

It was when Gordon Brown’s departure that brought that “no money left” note by Liam Byrne.

It’s well known that Blair/Brown spending blitz also ended up with Brown selling off our gold reserves at a pitifully low price.

[baggieal]

How anybody can claim that Blair's economic policies were a success is beyond me. On his departure somebody left a note to the Tories saying, ' Best of luck! The cupboard's bare.'
Yes, Johnson has lied and should go now but again to claim that Blair didn't know that there were no WMD's is again beyond belief. Everybody else seemed to know, except him!
As for Alistair Campbell, he didn't cover himself with glory on 'Question Time'. Arrogant and extremely rude.

Bang on there Leicester. Blair was far far worse than Johnson and made him look like an angel! Blair has made himself super rich writing his book and of course his lovely Cherie defending all the nutters with reference to the lovely human rights! Blair quite frankly disgusts me!

[WBA123]

How anybody can claim that Blair's economic policies were a success is beyond me. On his departure somebody left a note to the Tories saying, ' Best of luck! The cupboard's bare.'
Yes, Johnson has lied and should go now but again to claim that Blair didn't know that there were no WMD's is again beyond belief. Everybody else seemed to know, except him!
As for Alistair Campbell, he didn't cover himself with glory on 'Question Time'. Arrogant and extremely rude.

Low interest rates thanks to giving the power to set it to the Bank of England
Low inflation
10 years of continuous economic growth

And yes, they spent a lot but look at what we had. A decent NHS and education system that was properly funded. Compare that to what this Government will leave us.

Surely now, the premise that the Tories are the party for the economy is a complete myth. They've proved this repeatedly.

[WBA123]

It was when Gordon Brown’s departure that brought that “no money left” note by Liam Byrne.

It’s well known that Blair/Brown spending blitz also ended up with Brown selling off our gold reserves at a pitifully low price.

Brown decided to sell Gold in 1999 and reinvest in foreign currency reserves. It had nothing to with their 'spending blitz' aka money on properly funding our hospitals (I know - the thought a Government could do something so damaging) It was a policy decision that most economic experts thought would be for the best. In fact most Belgium, Canada, Switzerland and Netherlands thought this and did the same too.

By the way Brown's investment in foreign currency reserves increased in value too, just not close to how high gold went. And also, it doesn't come anywhere close to the wastage we've seen from this government.

[baggieal]

Low interest rates thanks to giving the power to set it to the Bank of England
Low inflation
10 years of continuous economic growth

And yes, they spent a lot but look at what we had. A decent NHS and education system that was properly funded. Compare that to what this Government will leave us.

Surely now, the premise that the Tories are the party for the economy is a complete myth. They've proved this repeatedly.

Bollox!

In 1998, the Blair government passed the 'School Standards and Framework Act' which forbade the establishment of new all-selective schools, and made provisions for local ballots to be held on the future of grammar schools.

Blair ruined education. Thank f uck we still have a decent state grammar school near us which is selective ( old 11+ ) which those c unts did everything to kill it. Education should be competitive and selective to the brighter kids. You don't get kids who can't kick a football at well run football academies!

How much did Blair waste on the Iraq war - far more than was pumped into the NHS! He's a c unt and always will be!

[baggiematt]

Low interest rates thanks to giving the power to set it to the Bank of England
Low inflation
10 years of continuous economic growth

And yes, they spent a lot but look at what we had. A decent NHS and education system that was properly funded. Compare that to what this Government will leave us.

Surely now, the premise that the Tories are the party for the economy is a complete myth. They've proved this repeatedly.

I’ve posted before that the era that Labour were in power compared to the tories was an absolute breeze.

The economic crash right at the end of Labour’s era forced a huge spend which continued under the tories. That debt costs around £40b alone in interest rates, comparable to our military spend. Austerity was inevitable.

Comparing economic and domestic performance post 2008 to pre 2008 is impossible. Completely different economic eras with different economic requirements. I don’t think there is any evidence that suggests Labour would have handled that post 2008 period any better.

[mickd1961]

I’ve posted before that the era that Labour were in power compared to the tories was an absolute breeze.

The economic crash right at the end of Labour’s era forced a huge spend which continued under the tories. That debt costs around £40b alone in interest rates, comparable to our military spend. Austerity was inevitable.

Comparing economic and domestic performance post 2008 to pre 2008 is impossible. Completely different economic eras with different economic requirements. I don’t think there is any evidence that suggests Labour would have handled that post 2008 period any better.

A perfect précis Matt.

I can’t better that.

[Albionic68]

Meanwhile...... I haven't got a fkn clue wot's going on. Therez timez when it's best to be fik and let the world fly over your head. Makes for a less konfewzing loife.