Issue 152

Waterfront Debate: Tony Blair Should Go

12th February 2007

When was the last time you said something positive about Tony Blair?

Once upon a time we might have heard "his policies are great" and "that hospital was really clean" or even "my state education was brilliant."

Ten years is a long time for most people, for many that will read this it is half their lifetime. So, do you remember a time without Blair? There can be no doubting that an entire decade is too long if you have made mistake after reform after blunder.

Blair is now on unsteady ground, with many of his self-serving Blairites dismissed for their incompetence which were uncovered proudly by the frenzied media.

Blair, our once dear leader, should go. If not because of the corruption scandal - gloriously portrayed across tabloids and broadsheets alike - then for the catalogue of errors which have riddled his career.

The Labour party is divided. On one hand are the Blarites, standing fast like loyal soldiers, who will no doubt be slain with their leader. On the other are those who are ready for him to leave Downing Street, with a pleasant smile and wave, arm in arm with his wife who has caused enough problems of her own during his reign.

In 2006 seven junior ministers resigned after Blair chose not to name a resignation date. Many ministers believe that the longer he stays in power, the less likely it is that Labour will retain power in the next election. Even Cameron, with his youth but no policies, could regain power for the Tories.

Blair himself will tell you that in the last ten years the state of hospitals have improved but there is little real proof of this. When he came into power all that time ago, reforms were enforced.

There would be no more Matrons - it was outdated, he claimed. However, just six years later, in another set of reforms, a new role in hospitals was created. Its purpose was to ensure nurses were working properly, and that the cleaners were doing their jobs. This was identical to the job that matrons did beforehand.

Reforms that Blair and his party brought in to update the conservative system have since been reformed, and often, reformed again leaving the country in a state of confusion and upheaval.

It seems that our present government cannot leave things alone for five minutes just to see if their plans will work. This applies in our schools, our hospitals and even within the Home Office, which is supposed to be keeping us safe, not letting pedophiles and criminals out onto the streets.

Tony Blair has made horrific mistakes during his time as our glorious leader. His people want him out, his ministers want him gone, "A Better Britain?" Where is it?

Ali Yeates