A slave of the US,a man who has nothink to say,i wonder how british people vote him?

He will unfortunately never compare to one of the strongest figures who ruled London with womans hand, with a iron fist, Margret Thatcher, knew how to make other countries shake, she never asked why, and seldom showed emotion. In certain instances, her candor was much more understood, than having to prepare responses, that people were not interested in, in that instance it was easily her charcter. Now, Tony Blair, he helped us out with the war, but not with London going willing with him, they understood out plight as of 9/11 but still weren't in full support, as arguments with Tony Blair in Parliment would show Parliment telling Tony Blair, to have a troop withdrawl, as they would not support the effort further.

Should George W. Bush's lapdog be included on a list of 21st century leaders?

I am not a big fan of lefto pols, but if I lived in Great Britain, I would hold my nose and vote Labor. Why, you say? I guess it is because Labor appears to be the only party in GB where republicanism has a chance of getting a hearing.

GB really needs to shed its class ridden society and get on with it. I think you could declare the Queen, aristos, and such as "national treasures," national parks or such and clean out the governmental apparatus of such clap-trap and make a modern government. I suppose you could have royalist re-enactments every year just like we do the Battle of Gettysburg, or such.

I wonder how many Brits are embarrassed by the picture of the Queen clop-clopping in her coach and four to Parliament to deliver the speech from the throne? It would make a good tourist attraction, but as a part of the governmental structure of a modern state, it is a joke of the highest order.

What's this, a joke?

the best PM britain ever had in 1/2 century (respect to churchill) and to get another politician this unique comes in a blue moon while other suscessors and world leaders will fight for crumbs and bash for unecessary reasons at home forgetting to expand their knowledge and friendship beyong borders to secure peace outside their country - in order to work in their cocoon afterwards without fearing attacks from outsiders, such as economical clashes or terrorism! blair excells in international stage for his vision and huge need for world security and interaction... its easy to fix little things back home once you secured your sorrounding! blair for UN, US and EU president! 2009 and beyong! eloquence and feelings are his strong cards but spin and ego can be his doom.

Sean raises some good points about the government's achievements in recent years, but Blair's continued refusal to resign is actually putting all those achievements in jeopardy. I recognize he was probably helpful back in 1997 at wooing middle-England voters with his effete estuarial English and moderate musings, but his sexing up of (or lying about) Iraq's WMD capability has made him one of the most unpopular PMs in history. I didn't really recognize how great of a liability he was until I took part in campaigning for Labour during election time. The only people I heard talk excitedly about how Blair was a major boon for their campaign were Conservative and Lib Dem supporters.

Blair will be remembered as a US lapdog for the Bush Administration. He can't shake the stigma of consistently looking the other way for the flawed US strategy and deceptive methods of justifying the invasion. Hey Tony, shower all you want- the smell won't come off. . .

SFalconer: Next time you want to get cheap helpfuls why doesn't your mind wonder and go and start your own debates without riding on the backs of others via namecalling. Dear Mr Blair, Well congratulations, it finally happened. We now have fifty-nine people who died after you decided to side with George Bush on his war against terror. Correct me if I'm mistaken, but America's military services are now telling their troops their not allowed within the M25 and isn't London surrounded by the M25? Yet still you were the first world leader to rush to Bush's rescue and endanger our troops, o'h how the tables do turn. If my memory serves me correctly didn't 100,000 people protest on the streets of London for the anti-war campaign and Stop-The-War coalition and you STILL refused to listen as you thought that what you were doing was right and just. Now lets look at the bigger picture, your not all bad are you? I mean when it comes to international policy your pretty hands on, what with the G-8 summit in Gleneagles, but when it comes to domestic issues concerning YOUR country and YOUR people you simply don't give a toss do you? What with the highest child murders in Europe, trains that are STILL late plus extortionate fair prices, Congestion Charges, criminals being able to walk free out of court, slack immigration laws, students leaving higher education almost 30,000 in debt. Good ole Tony! As this surely doesn't show the big-wig that you try to portray to other world leaders, well we can't have that now. If it was your son, your wife or your daughter buried 80ft underground in the stenching 140 degree heat with shrapnel and ripped to pieces with vermin eating at their remains - as this is the situation described with those victims who travelled on the Picadilly Line between Kings Cross and Russell Square or even better on the Number 30 that was blown to pieces at Tavistock Square - I wonder if you would still be claiming that your decisions were justified. It would be extremely insensitive of me to scream I told you so right about now, but all you have to do is look at BBC News 24 and the evidence is staring you right out into your face. So you not only have the families of soldiers to exaplin why you decided to go to war, but you also have the families of the victims who perished last Thursday to explain your sheer arrogance. GOOD LUCK!!! Bird808

when it comes to domestic issues concerning YOUR country and YOUR people you simply don't give a toss do you mmm...introduction of minimum wage, devolution for Scotland and Wales,return of London Assembly, independence of Bank of England, lowest unemployment rates/mortgages for 30 years, record investment in education and health, trains that now actually run on time, standing up to the Franco/German hegemony in Europe, lowering age of consent for gay men, implementation of Human Rights Act, free access to all national museums and ummm ASBOs!( to name a few..!)

My opinion of this guy started fairly high but has steadily declined. He appears, unfortunately, to be just another political shill, of which the world is full, and the western world is particularly good at churning out. As to Bird808's comments I don't entirely agree, but I take her point. I would observe, however that the attacks may well have come regardless of Britain and Blairs involvement in Iraq or Afganistan. The objective of terrorists is to terrorize and destabilize and turn a state into the antithesis of what it purports to be. So while I understand Bird's irritation with Blair, I think it may well be putting cart before horse in taking the postion she is. As to sfalconer's response to her, well that's about typical, and I just consider the source.

Tony Blair is a great leader and he was brave over Iraq, however the war may have been needed for economic reasons but too many people died just to sustain wealth. That is a shame.

Tony Blair acknowledges that the world changed on 9/11/01. He changed with it. He is one of the few Brits who agrees with Bush and the Bushites that the war in Iraq is part and parcel to the war on Terror. All the lapdog and evil incarnate characterizations probably sound clever and funny but, at the end of the day, the only thing standing between civilized people like you and me and another 9/11-like catastrophe, is people like Tony Blair, George W. Bush and John Ashcroft. There weren't too many people laughing or making fun of anything in Manhattan on 9/11/01. Not many Americans, anyway.

Now we can all see what a charade the Bush/Blair push for war in Iraq was. Blair has slumped in the polls for the British people no longer trust him to stand up for his countrymen and their opinions. He went into war against his people's wishes, he is allowing GM foods to be imported from the States, against his people's wishes, he is bringing in paying hospitals a la USA against his people's wishes, he has not curbed immigration figures (all damned lies and statistics)in direct contrast to his people's wishes, he is playing down the importance of the EU Constitution against his people's wishes and messing about with the machinations of Government, also against his people's wishes. His insincerity and deceitfulness is now apparent and this, along with his kowtowing to Bush, is no doubt responsible for his slump in popularity. The fact the US has just awarded him a Congressional medal to get him out of trouble has angered everyone here in the UK. He is a s**t prettied up with a bow. I wonder if the Brits have looked at the ThankyouTony website - they would be appalled!

Bush's whore!

It always amazes me that the majority vote for the person they expect will be best at running the country, and then spend the rest of that unfortunate persons career insulting him. Tony Blaire is an excellent example of this, so what if his allience to the US is invaluble? He's a pollitition, he must be evil. Why do so many people think like this? The man does his best - give him credit for that.

Yes, whatever you say Mr. Bush. Your wish is my command.

Prime Minister Tony Blair is actually a talented politician with good media savvy, which has been his salvation throughout his career in my view more than any other factor. He's responsible for making the Labour Party electible in Britain by espousing third way liberalism, essentially he wants to reduce government involvement in solving social problems without completely destroying the beast. Generally he opposes the big unions, endearing himself to the business community in Britain. So far, his reforms has been met with limited success. Reform of the health service and rail transport have really been limited and largely cosmetic. On other issues of national importance, he really has failed to take a solid stand, especially on the joining the European Monetary Union, probably because his Chancellor of the Exchequer (Treasury), Gordon Brown, doesn't really support it because of concerns that other Northern European countries have about the currency, namely that they will have to subsidize their economies. Blair has managed to control government spending and the economy has achieved high growth during his tenure. In some respects, he has been a reformer; allowing Scotland and Wales to have elected representation, making peace in Northern Ireland, weakening the hereditary and highly elitist House of Lords. On the international front, he has attempted to deepen bonds with the European Union while maintaining the Trans-Atlantic alliance with the United States. This is why he decided to commit troops to Iraq; he just wanted to stay in good favor with the United States. It would have been much easier for him domestically and internationally to reject America's call to join the Coalition of the Willing, but to break the Trans-Atlantic alliance would mean that they will stay out in the cold with the US. Blair gave us his unconditional support, much to the ire of Europe. His efforts to act as a bridge between Europe and the US have been moderately successful, but like everything Blair does, it is highly cosmetic. Britain still maintains cordial ties with Europe, but it has been weakened significantly. It can be argued as well that the Blair did plenty for the US but got little in return. The argument goes that the US is very overextended and the Brits shouldn't be fighting battles that have nothing to do with them. Actually the same could go for the US as well. So overall, I would characterize Blair's tenure at 10 Downing Street as a mixed bag. Strong is some respects, but overall very bland and uninspired leadership. Sometimes Blair believes that he's the second coming of Churchill, but he comes nowhere near politically.

Going against his country and his own party, Tony Blair joined the unjustified war against Iraq. Why has he suddenly jumped onto the Bush bandwagon?

The Rt. Hon. Tony Blair is a man I respect more than any other leader. His integrity, before and after the whole Iraq thing, is impeccable. I have watched him for much longer than most Americans and his consistency on domestic and foreign policy is remarkably impressive. He is clearly a great orator as well. Even though I disagree with many of Labour's domestic positions, he would win my vote again and again and again. This is from a pro-Thatcher person!

A truly great man in a time where there are few. Unlike the foolish leaders of France and Germany, he saw that Saddam Hussein was a threat and that he needed to be kicked in the fanny to bring peace and democracy to war-torn Iraq. If he ever ran for US president, I would vote for him!

This guy is Bush's fist puppet. A mindless weakling so far up Handjob's butt that he can see the Pretender-In-Chief's pancreas. About as politically astute as Dan Quayle. Got on the wrong side the issue regarding that ridiculous, unnecessary and immoral war in Iraq and he'll end up paying the political price, for sure. His government totally mishandled the supposed Iraqi nuclear program nonsense, and seeing that the central figure in the fracas, a respected weapons expert who blew the whistle, ended up dead under very, very suspicious circumstances, you've got to wonder where Tonyboy and his people wiped the blood off their hands. This twerp has only been successful in maintaining the continuum of incompetence instigated by previous PMs Major and Thatcher. With leadership like this over the past two decades, it's no wonder that the U.K. has slumped into a fourth-rate status as far as nations go.

Tony Blair is Dubya's little lapdog. Good boy Tony, here Tony, fetch!!! He made a colossal political mistake in supporting Bush, and will pay for it. I think he imagined that he would be the next Winston Churchill, that under him Britain would regain some of its former glory. Ha Ha Ha......

I always thought Tony Blair was a great leader for Great Britain. He is ambitious and full of so much passion. And not to mention he is a real cutie too....:)~

complete knob

i like him hes a great supporter

If he does everything he's told, maybe Bush will give him a pat on the head.

well he took us into war like a load of blind bats- i mean how used are we?

a friend of the USA

Blair has got his head so far up Bush's arse, you can see him coming out of his mouth. Get the lunatic party in Downing street, there the best choice at the moment

Tony Blair is a man of deep conviction and dedication. His support of the United States through these last few years of agony is admirable, and deeply appreciated. He is standing up for what he believes in, and it has cost him deeply over the last few months due to his support of military action against Iraq. Tony Blair is truly one of the world's greatest leaders- I'd rather have him over here in the White House.

Clinton-Lite. Don't trust the Rabbit.

In my view, Tony Blair's actions and conviction is the most compelling reason to give the idea of preemptive war with Iraq serious consideration. Unlike GWB, who still enjoys fairly strong approval ratings in the US, Blair is facing political ruin by continuing to push for military action. His own Party is turning against him. The tabloids are ripping to him pieces. So one must ask the question: why is this career politician - someone who has made a career in being able to articulate the position of the majority, and subsequently win elections - why would this man lay it all on the line, take a monumentally unpopular position within his own party and own country, and write his own political epitaph? Out of friendship for the likable GWB? I don't think so. I think it's because he feels so strongly that forcefully disarming Iraq is not only the right thing to do - but a MORAL OBLIGATION - that he is willing align his entire career with a single, no-win issue. Pretty compelling.

Tony Blair, with his country, are our only real allies. He supports our President on almost everything. Finally, a person who will actually stand with us.

he loves george too much

I'm from the US, and thought that Blair was a class act before 9/11. The events afterward just shown the rest of the US that he is.

I'm a bit embarrassed as a Briton,after reading some glowing American praise of him,which i both understand and appreciate,to admit feeling somewhat ambivalent at present.Many positives: decisive,authoritative,statesmanlike in the wake of 11th Sept;transformed his party into winning electoral machine(which took some character and ruthlessness);successful economy-low unemployment,inflation and greatly reduced national debt(an unsung important and honourable act),though now the real test has started.Lower overall crime.Has walked the Northern Ireland tightrope further than predecessors.Set up devolved government in Wales,Scotland and Northern Ireland.Seems genuinely committed to Education.Now belatedly investing more in the Health Service.Admirable writing-off of poorer countries' debts to Britain.But on the debit side: seems too inclined to worry about popularity with voters,pays too much attention to statistics and presentation not always policy(hardly uncommon with politicians).Indirect tax increases-also a typical political ploy.Public transport an absolute shambles,which should have been corrected far earlier,before the recent public outrage.Handling of Foot and Mouth crisis was atrociously wasteful of animals and public money,devastated the tourist industry in many areas,another all-round disaster.Deliberate delay in compensating sick,dying miners is less than honourable.Too inclined still to want to interfere in supposedly devolved issues-criticisms of his tendency to "control freakery" are not without substance.From a Welsh viewpoint,i'm irritated we were only offered an Assembly not a full Parliament.Environmental policy feeble.Government attitude to the Euro indecisive and confusing.Objectively,he probably merits 3 and a half stars-there have been many worse,that's for sure-but i tend to become disenchanted with politicians once certain actions annoy me or they don't deliver as i'd like.Perhaps i'm too much of a cynical idealist,but there are hardly any i could endorse and trust wholeheartedly.I know i'm not alone!

Even as an American, I admit I admire Tony Blair. He is intelligent and well-spoken and has been an endearing ally in this war on terrorism.

Tony Blair has been outstanding in his support of the United States and the War Against Terroism. He simply stands out as one of the most compassionate and passionate leaders of our day. Intelligence and heartfelt emotion and true conviction ARE possible in a world leader, as Mr. Blair demonstrates.

He is a great ally to the U.S.