Cash-for-honours was the spectre
at the Sedgefield feast, says our Downing Street insider
|
 |
|
|
|
So the British people finally got an apology of sorts from Tony Blair in his resignation speech. He did what he thought was "right for our country" and was sorry for whenever he "fell short". No mention of Iraq directly - no mention of Gordon Brown either - but there is no doubt that the shadow of the war loomed over his remarks.
When Blair first became Labour leader and then Prime Minister, he wanted to be liked. A decade later, it was clear from his resignation speech that after all the criticism and hostility that has come his way (largely because of his decision to support intervention in Iraq), he wants to leave office liked again, even if not adored, by the British public.
That may be a forlorn hope. No matter how much he tries to butter up the British people by stating "Britain is the greatest country in |
|
 |
|
|
the world", he is still PM and will be until June 27.
Any goodwill is likely to be short-lived, particularly with the spectre of cash-for-honours hovering. Lord Levy's resignation as Blair's Middle East envoy last week is an ominous sign. And it's not entirely clear how donations to Labour election funds in exchange for peerages fits in with Blair's assertion that he only did what was right for the country.
Predictably, Blair has tried to put the best possible spin on his departure. Left to his own devices he would have liked to have remained PM until he matched and then surpassed Margaret Thatcher's record in office. But Iraq, cash-for-honours and Gordon Brown's impatience have put paid to that.
At least he has managed what seemed impossible only a few months ago: unlike Margaret Thatcher, he has not been bundled out of Downing Street in the back of a car, tears streaming down his face. 
FIRST POSTED MAY 10, 2007
|
