I've become arrogant, admits Blair

[truthpusher]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/02/14/nblair14.xml&sSheet=/portal/2005/02/14/ixportaltop.html


Tony Blair: has developed an 'I know best' attitude

I've become arrogant, admits Blair
By Toby Helm, Chief Political Correspondent
(Filed: 14/02/2005)

Tony Blair admitted yesterday that he became arrogant in his first seven years as Prime Minister as he began a personal campaign to regain the trust of voters in time for the general election.

His admission - dismissed by the Conservatives as fake - came as John Prescott appeared to let slip that the election would be held on May 5, undermining efforts by other ministers to keep the timing secret until April.

Tony Blair: has developed an 'I know best' attitude
The Prime Minister told delegates at Labour's spring conference in Gateshead that he had too often "talked at" voters rather than with them and that he had allowed himself to develop an "I know best" attitude.

(more)

Mr Blair likened his relationship with the British people to a marriage in which the husband and wife think regularly of leaving each other. "If you decide you want Mr Howard, that is your choice. If you want to go off with Mr Kennedy, that is your choice too.

more:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/02/14/nblair14.xml&sSheet=/portal/2005/02/14/ixportaltop.html

[IndianaGreen]

1. Step down, asshole!

Let Gordon Brown take over the party. Although Brown is nothing but a Blair clone, at least he doesn't have the blood on his hands that Blair has in abundance.

[Vladimir]

3. Of course he does

by collective cabinet responsibility, one of the only 'principles' British politicians still cling on to.

[Vladimir]

2. Tony, Tony, Tony - out, out, out!

[IndianaGreen]

4. Does this remind you of Jimmy Swaggart's tearful mea culpa?

Blair's confession of arrogance is overshadowed by his silence about his criminal alliance with Bush in the invasion of Iraq. Then we have campaign chief Alan Milburn telling Labour activists that they must used dirty tricks to win the election. Don't these guys sound like clones of Karl Rove?

[Vladimir]

9. The axis of hypocrisy? n/t

[renaissanceguy]

15. Excellent! n/t

http://www.cafepress.com/liberalissues/466053

[Jamastiene]

5. Is he up for re-election?

Sounds like the same tactic many in our own party used to try to make up with us at the last minute to get us to forgive them for allowing that fucking fiasco in Iraq. They are so transparent really. What's he trying for? There has to be a motive.

[JI7]

6. this is a right wing source

they might be trying to make Blair look bad to help the Tories.

[IndianaGreen]

7. Blair is rightwing too!

Blair's defeat will be good for the world and for Britain.

Go Liberal Democrats!

[muriel_volestrangler]

8. Same story from The Guardian

No more 'I know best', says Blair

Prime minister closes spring conference by admitting mistakes and stressing partnership with people

Speaking in a confessional tone at the end of Labour's spring conference, he promised to learn from his mistakes and accepted that he had, at times, appeared arrogant and out of touch. "I understand why some people feel angry, not just over Iraq, but many of the difficult decisions we have made," he said. "And, as ever, a lot of it is about me".

Describing himself as part of a troubled relationship with the British people, he promised he would mend his ways if elected for a third term.

Mr Blair promised that he had abandoned the "I know best" approach for a true partnership with the public which acknowledged that "we can only do it together".

Mr Blair's contrition is in stark contrast to his claim at Labour's autumn conference in 2003 that he did not possess "a reverse gear" and reflects Labour anxiety that his style is deterring voters.

http://politics.guardian.co.uk/labour/story/0,9061,1412268,00.html

[JI7]

12. in the Guardian version it makes Blair look pretty ok

or at least reasonable and understanding and someone who listens.

the version from the right wing source in the original post makes him sound like an asshole.

[BillZBubb]

17. Blair IS AN ASSHOLE!!!!!!

He doesn't just sound like one in a "right wing" source.

He isn't reasonable and he doesn't listen. Where have you been the past four years????? Blair is Bush's lapdog bitch.

[insane_cratic_gal]

14. Err he just did it again!

he said. "And, as ever, a lot of it is about me".

Me me me me.. It's all about ME


Maybe he's been hanging out with Bush too long.

He seemed to have a good relationship with Clinton, It's hard for me to not like Blair. He's charming and out spoken, with intelligence,

I'm convinced it more or less has to do with our present twerpy pResident. Who can't speak, would never admit to being arrogant,who can't argue a point without his mouth setting to a thin line and horns sprouting out of head.

So Brits may think they have it bad, but we've got 4 more years of domestic abuse against the people of this country, at the hands of this Repuke party. As far as the abuse extending outside of America. The Bitch slap, is not extending quite as far as they had wished. With Condi at the helm of the hand that delivers, we shall see how hard it hits this time around.

So I do not feel bad for Brits. They unlike us will manage to get it together and remove the baggage. We should wish to be able to mobilize like they have.




We still have time, if we are going to change the face of this country for 2006 the clock is ticking.

[Nihil]

10. "I've become arrogant", admits Blair, "so live with it ...

... or Foxtrot Oscar"

> Mr Blair promised that he had abandoned the "I know best" approach
> for a true partnership with the public which acknowledged that
> "we can only do it together"

For some reason, the papers didn't report the end of the sentence:
"... as long as you shut up and do what I say."

Hey, you'd *never* guess that there's going to be an election in less
than three months would you? Politicians actually turning up to
debates; spin doctors re-employed and Blair saying he's listening to
the people ...

[NNN0LHI]

11. Getting away with murder...litterally, can make people arrogant n/t

[onehandle]

13. Yes, stop being so arrogant.

Give Bush whatever he wants.

:eyes:

[LinuxInsurgent]

16. it IS fake

If he really wanted to reconcile himself to his arrogance...he would resign.

He's doing this just so that he gets some of the Labor supportes to "forgive him" and give him another chance.

It's fake.

[Riding this Donkey]

18. Mommy, Mommy I'm sorry

Please let me have another term as PM. I promise I'll stop being Bush's poodle!

[glitch]

19. We he acknowledges his ignorance and vows to reform, maybe I'll listen

to him again (probably not).
I wonder if he still believes PNAC is an "internet conspiracy theory"...

[Voltaire99]

20. Tony Baloney

Can't Labour remove this butt plug of a man?