UK: An assessment of Blair

Carmen Negrís rgrets that Blair has not followed a socialist policy: "Blair has indeed followed a policy which is more in line with Thatcher's and Bush's, than with that of a socialist government. He public healt and education are brought up in Parliamenthas been very disappointing for those who expected a left-wing policy, as promised. Concerning Iraq, there is no need to explain. There are other examples in more minor aspects of foreign policy as well: for instance, the UK did return to UNESCO but a few months ago, they decided to close the recently opened liaison office in London, making real work almost impossible, This means their participation will soon become lip service (The organization's funds were not increased after the UK's return, the same strategy as of Bush). After the several train crashes, little was done about public transportation, which had been privatized by Thatcher, idem public health (as mentioned by John Heelan) and education. Blair's political future is in the hands of Bush and depends totally on the success of the Iraq operation. I don't think he could survive an additional war in Syria or Iran"

RH: When public health and education are brought up in parliament, Blair quotes figures which show, convincingly to me, they they have improved under his administration, He does not make the same claim about transportation. As for the UNESCO office, there must be more to the story.

Ronald Hilton - 7/30/03