by Sammy Stein

Created on: September 01, 2010

One word can sum up Tony Balir's legacy -spoiled. When he resigned as PM , not that long ago although it seems like a lifetime with all the changes UK politics has had since, he left with a good reputation. He had made mistakes but had put his hand up to them, stuck by what he believed and generally kept a clean slate. He could not be found guilty of swindling his expenses when all the scandal about MP's expense accounts came out, he maintained his faith and remained a Labour but middle class man of principals which endeared him to many. In spite of his failings, the war and other problems, and the fact he was ousted in a pre-agreed coup by Gordon Brown who proved to be the worst PM for decades, Tony Blair still had a place of affection in many peoples' hearts.

However, since then, our opinion of him has taken a nose-dive. Here we have a man who spouted on and on about loyalty, standing by each other, integretiy and honesty; a man who is meant to have left wing principles and yet since leaving office has ammassed a fortune worth several million pounds, nine (yes, nine) properties, written books and allegedly made huge amounts of money from speeches and supporting events.

Now, he has sunk to levels which the British people did not expect and do not deserve - his memoirs where he promises (or the hype around them promises) to reveal everything about the behind the scenes shinnanigins which went on when he ran for a second term, the agreement with Gordon Brown on when he should leave office (and Mr Brown take over in an (undisputed) 'leadership race'), the dirty deals done, old freinds turned to enemies, old enemies now rallying to support Mr Blair, the revelations, we are told, will shock and be deeper than any before hand.

Yet, what does this say about Mr Blair? Is he trying to simply be completely honest with the British people? Has he been manipulated by book sellers, publishers and agents? Is he tricked into thinking the British people will read and believe every word in his stories?

Whatever his motives, the outcome is not positive for Tony Balir. The British people are used to Prime Ministers who leave office, do good, make speeches in support of causes, keep in the picture or become MEPs but not ones who turn on their own party, are bitter and determined to reveal behind the scenes antics which, quite franjkly, should remain hidden as they are not what people want unless they are looking for sensationalism. And this, I think is the downfall - Mr Blair appears to be dumbing down, going for the sensational revelation which will sell his memoirs rather than, as other ministers have done, simply writing the facts (albeit with anecdotes and stories among them to enhance the reading of dull politics) but to aim specifically for the sensationalist market has lost Mr Blair the respect and affection that the British people felt for him.

They feel let down. Once he was the new kid on the block. He offered common sense , stability, clear thinking and Christian values underlined most of his decisions. However, now, twenty years on we have a media play thing, a stalking horse of a sensationalist toy and someone who has become a bit of a joke.

What a legacy!

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