Tony Blair has announced he will stand down as prime minister on 27 June.

He made the announcement in a speech to party activists in his Sedgefield constituency, after earlier briefing the Cabinet on his plans.

BTW, Deputy Prime Minister has also resigned with an open letter to his constituencies

I wish Bush would do the same thing.  Although, I like Tony Blair, his devotion to Bush and the Iraq war was most likely the reason for his early departure.

Ive been told to crap in one hand and wish in the other, see what one fills up first.  It is still a good wish I think. 

Hmmm I wonder who we'll get?

Hmmm I wonder who we'll get?
I wonder too...

Hmmm I wonder who we'll get?

I wonder too...


I thought Gordon Brown was taking over :-\\

I thought Gordon Brown was taking over :-\\


Not necessarily.  The Labour Party members have to vote for their favourite candidate.  Not sure who will be standing for leader yet.

Not necessarily.  The Labour Party members have to vote for their favourite candidate.  Not sure who will be standing for leader yet.
Who is left in the race to become the Labour Party Leader?

Who is left in the race to become the Labour Party Leader?


John Mcdonnell and Michael Meacher are deciding between them which has the most support.  Only one of these two will stand against Gordon Brown.  About 5 or so people have said they will stand for Deputy

John Mcdonnell and Michael Meacher are deciding between them which has the most support.  Only one of these two will stand against Gordon Brown.  About 5 or so people have said they will stand for Deputy


.. Who?


Not that it matters, the next Government will be led by David Cameron.

.. Who?




Education Secretary Alan Johnson, Welsh Secretary Peter Hain, Constitutional Affairs Minister Harriet Harman, International Development Secretary Hilary Benn, party chairwoman Hazel Blears and backbencher Jon Cruddas have all said they will run for his job.



Not that it matters, the next Government will be led by David Cameron.


maybe  :-\\

Education Secretary Alan Johnson, Welsh Secretary Peter Hain, Constitutional Affairs Minister Harriet Harman, International Development Secretary Hilary Benn, party chairwoman Hazel Blears and backbencher Jon Cruddas have all said they will run for his job.

maybe  :-\\


Yeah.. and who are they all? Nobodys. That's the problem with a Labor government, half the party is made of ex-soviet friends and the rest are a bunch of wet behind the ears idealistic little scrotes.

David Cameron would be a tremendous leader and reverse a lot of the damage Blair has done.

John Mcdonnell and Michael Meacher are deciding between them which has the most support.  Only one of these two will stand against Gordon Brown.  About 5 or so people have said they will stand for Deputy
The Deputy Prime Minister is an optional post by the PM, so whoever is the next PM may not have one.

The Deputy Prime Minister is an optional post by the PM, so whoever is the next PM may not have one.


That's not how the beeb report reads

That's not how the beeb report reads


Isn't it basically just in case he get shot or something?

That's not how the beeb report reads
Since 1942 there has only been 8 Deputy PMs

Clement Attlee  19 February 1942 23 May 1945 Labour (part of National Government)
Herbert Stanley Morrison  26 July 1945 24 February 1951 Labour
Anthony Eden  26 October 1951 6 April 1955 Conservative
Rab Butler  13 July 1962 18 October 1963 Conservative
William Whitelaw  4 May 1979 10 January 1988 Conservative
Geoffrey Howe  24 July 1989 1 November 1990 Conservative
Michael Heseltine  20 July 1995 2 May 1997 Conservative
John Prescott  2 May 1997 10 May 2007 Labour

Isn't it basically just in case he get shot or something?



In your dreams!

Actually I'm not sure there was a deputy prime minister before tony became PM. could be wrong though

Offically John Prescott resigns on Sunday 13th May 2007

In your dreams!

Actually I'm not sure there was a deputy prime minister before tony became PM. could be wrong though


There were several DPM's, including the Great Michael Heseltine!

Oh well, it's all for nowt anyway, current opinion polls show Cameron soooooooo far ahead of any possible Labour contender that they may as well just call the election next April.

David Cameron would be a tremendous leader and reverse a lot of the damage Blair has done.

I wish I had your optimism...

I wish Bush would do the same thing.  Although, I like Tony Blair, his devotion to Bush and the Iraq war was most likely the reason for his early departure.

Ive been told to crap in one hand and wish in the other, see what one fills up first.  It is still a good wish I think. 



Couldn't agree more. I used to like Tony until he became Dubya's lap dog. I am curious if England will pull out of Iraq now.




Cat

I am curious if England will pull out of Iraq now.


That's been the plan for some time now.

I didn't like Blair for the same reason I didn't like Clinton.

"New Labour"/"New Democrat" = "Conservative lite"/"Republican lite"

However, I liked Blair better than Major and Clinton better than Bush.

I'm surprised Davey Thrashmister likes Mr. Cameron, a fresh-faced, toffy-nosed establishment (Eton/Oxford) boy who describes himself as a "compassionate conservative," which, at least in America, means a handshake and a smile while they **** you over!
::)

I'd put my money on Gordon Brown, like it or not.

I'd put my money on Gordon Brown, like it or not.
It seems there is no other option.

It seems there is no other option.

Not exactly a ringing endorsement there, Philip!
;D

It seems there is no other option.


I reckon he'll take over and then probably leave after the next election

David Cameron would be a tremendous leader and reverse a lot of the damage Blair has done.


Pfft! Tory 'toff-boy'?

I wouldn't hold your breath... ::)

But if you do, perhaps you'd like to 'hug a thug' or stick a windmill on top of your house!

Con-merchants, the lot of 'em!  :P

I'd put my money on Gordon Brown, like it or not.

Can't you just hear it... like the coke advert:

Gordon is a-comin'
Gordon is a-comin'

Pfft! Tory 'toff-boy'?

I wouldn't hold your breath... ::)

But if you do, perhaps you'd like to 'hug a thug' or stick a windmill on top of your house!

Con-merchants, the lot of 'em!  :P


::) He never said Hug a Thug, he just said that ASBO's haven't done anything and a new system needs to be put in place, treating the causes of youth crime, not the crime it'self, which makes sense. Sterilization of the council estates would be a good way to go.

My appreciation for Cameron has decreased the more he's flip-flopped, but he's still a better alternative than any of the Labor mob.

::) He never said Hug a Thug, he just said that ASBO's haven't done anything and a new system needs to be put in place, treating the causes of youth crime, not the crime it'self, which makes sense. Sterilization of the council estates would be a good way to go.

Mmm...promises, promises...very easy things to put out when you're in opposition... ::)

I mean, what Tone wasn't gonna promise us all ten year ago... ::)

My appreciation for Cameron has decreased the more he's flip-flopped, but he's still a better alternative than any of the Labor mob.


My appreciation would be for the first politician of any stance who has the guts to reform our decrepit legal system...

A quick re-appraisal of this so-called Human Rights Act would be a good start...

A quick re-appraisal of this so-called Human Rights Act would be a good start...

Spoken like a true Daily Mail reader: someone who's seen all the mad starts, but not seen the "thrown out as trivial" verdicts...


::) He never said Hug a Thug, he just said that ASBO's haven't done anything and a new system needs to be put in place, treating the causes of youth crime, not the crime it'self, which makes sense. Sterilization of the council estates would be a good way to go.

I believe the quote was "Hug a hoodie"... notice he said "a new system needs to be put in place", but no suggestion of what new system should be.  Somehow I doubt he'll come up with sterilization...


My appreciation for Cameron has decreased the more he's flip-flopped, but he's still a better alternative than any of the Labor mob.

That's Labour - just 'cause you guys spell "labor" with a small "l" wrong...

One thing that pisses me off about political debate is the "flip-flop" accusation as though changing ones mind when a better idea or a convincing argument comes along is a bad thing.  Sure, vacillation and being unable to stick to any coherent set of ideas is not good for running anything, let alone a country, but being swayed by a good, coherent argument is very sensible.  Yet politicians seem unable to say "yes, I changed my mind for a very good reason...", and if they do, they get lampooned for "flip-flopping".  Which is just plain stupid.

I don't see how you can accuse Cameron of "flip-flop" behaviour anyhow: he's not come up with anything concrete enough as an opinion to change...

Spoken like a true Daily Mail reader: someone who's seen all the mad starts, but not seen the "thrown out as trivial" verdicts...


Well, the Daily Mail's out of my ball-park...they use big words, it's just not fair!  ;)

However, I will stand by my opinion that it's a gigantic waste of time as it stands...being such a vague and opaque piece of law, it can only serve to satisfy the poor, impoverished lawyers who milk the bloody thing for what it's worth...

Surely no coincidence that before the ink had scarcely dried from Tone's pawprint, that his old lady was busying herself in establishing a swish new set of chambers (Matrix)...specialising in...human rights law!

We've all got human rights...but those on Legal Aid moreso!

Mmm...promises, promises...very easy things to put out when you're in opposition... ::)

I mean, what Tone wasn't gonna promise us all ten year ago... ::)

My appreciation would be for the first politician of any stance who has the guts to reform our decrepit legal system...

A quick re-appraisal of this so-called Human Rights Act would be a good start...


Well, Cameron wants to re-evalute the Human Rights Act and create one primarily for the UK.

Spoken like a true Daily Mail reader: someone who's seen all the mad starts, but not seen the "thrown out as trivial" verdicts...
I believe the quote was "Hug a hoodie"... notice he said "a new system needs to be put in place", but no suggestion of what new system should be.  Somehow I doubt he'll come up with sterilization...
That's Labour - just 'cause you guys spell "labor" with a small "l" wrong...

One thing that pisses me off about political debate is the "flip-flop" accusation as though changing ones mind when a better idea or a convincing argument comes along is a bad thing.  Sure, vacillation and being unable to stick to any coherent set of ideas is not good for running anything, let alone a country, but being swayed by a good, coherent argument is very sensible.  Yet politicians seem unable to say "yes, I changed my mind for a very good reason...", and if they do, they get lampooned for "flip-flopping".  Which is just plain stupid.

I don't see how you can accuse Cameron of "flip-flop" behaviour anyhow: he's not come up with anything concrete enough as an opinion to change...


Interestingly, that's the first time I've ever spelled Labour like that. I probably just let the spell check change it. Yes, I am aware it's with a u, we probably say it different but being from London doesn't make one retarded.. just a little slow.

Sterilization would be a wonderful practice but alas, it wont be seen for some time yet. Maybe when the population hits 80,000,000 and they finally admit that it's over-crowded.

Cameron does flip flop, there's no two ways about it, he does it in the same way Hilary Clinton does it. Maybe a better term would be populism. I dislike populism because it appeals to the lowest common denominator, who I've already mentioned need to be sterilized.

Well, Cameron wants to re-evalute the Human Rights Act and create one primarily for the UK.


Hm...will he 'flip-flop' over that, I wonder?

Sorry, it's just that I've heard this crud so many times from so many sources...

Hm...will he 'flip-flop' over that, I wonder?

Sorry, it's just that I've heard this crud so many times from so many sources...


Of course. I believe I mentioned before.. I don't know if he's the best man for the job, but he's better than the other options.. at least he is right now. Of course, even though he's a fan of the scum, Nottingham Forest, I'd love to see Ken Clarke elected.

Of course. I believe I mentioned before.. I don't know if he's the best man for the job, but he's better than the other options.. at least he is right now. Of course, even though he's a fan of the scum, Nottingham Forest, I'd love to see Ken Clarke elected.


Nah! He's one of the 'old guard'...today's leaders must be young and pretty!

(Which probably scuppers the Libs chances for starters!)

The ideal bloke for the Tories had his time too early...Bill Hague...

He absolutely creamed Blair at PM Questions...something this Cameron bloke should have done with embarrassing regularity!  :P

Have to admit that I'd have liked to see Ken Clarke as Tory leader, but it's a bit late for that now.  Shame that the Eurosceptic right of the party wouldn't have him; he'd certainly have given Labour a harder run for their money than IDS, Hague or Howard.

I can't see Hague getting elected: the voice alone would do for him.

As for Cameron, he managed to land the job as leader with one barnstorming speech, which showed more flair and charisma than everything else he's said since put together.  It also helped that he wasn't David Davis (who would have the Tory equivalent of electing Ming Campbell, IMO).  He's been trying hard ever since not to piss anybody off, knowing that the next general election is there to be lost, not won.

Sterilization of the council estates would be a good way to go.




We tried this with the Indians. 

Mostly our government sold the unwanted ones enough alcohol, cocaine, and heroin to keep these populations from becoming a political force.  Street crime is the best friend the upper class fascist his, you know (or the wannabe upper class fascist, as the case may be). 

Liberals blame the government for suppressing the Black Panthers, the Nation of Islam, and the Red Power movements, but the poverty and the dope is what really got the job done.

Nah! He's one of the 'old guard'...today's leaders must be young and pretty!

(Which probably scuppers the Libs chances for starters!)

The ideal bloke for the Tories had his time too early...Bill Hague...

He absolutely creamed Blair at PM Questions...something this Cameron bloke should have done with embarrassing regularity!  :P


Admittedly, he dosen't seem to be one for putting his neck out and giving as good as he gets which is a bit disappointing.

Have to admit that I'd have liked to see Ken Clarke as Tory leader, but it's a bit late for that now.  Shame that the Eurosceptic right of the party wouldn't have him; he'd certainly have given Labour a harder run for their money than IDS, Hague or Howard.

I can't see Hague getting elected: the voice alone would do for him.

As for Cameron, he managed to land the job as leader with one barnstorming speech, which showed more flair and charisma than everything else he's said since put together.  It also helped that he wasn't David Davis (who would have the Tory equivalent of electing Ming Campbell, IMO).  He's been trying hard ever since not to piss anybody off, knowing that the next general election is there to be lost, not won.


Hague is a man I'd have loved to see elected, but alas, it's too late, his time has certainly gone.

You're right of course, he's basically taken his foot off the gas and decided to play things safe and not piss anybody off, the problem there is one can't actually be sure what his plans are.

Sterilization of the council estates would be a good way to go.



Cheers, mate  >:(

Cheers, mate  >:(


Stocking Farm, Braunstone, Beaumont Leyes... a pleasurable day out?

Stocking Farm, Braunstone, Beaumont Leyes... a pleasurable day out?


But not everyone from there is the same.

I think I'm quite a nice person and I'm from a council estate.  I once had a guy almost refuse to walk me home after a night out because of where I lived!

But not everyone from there is the same.

I think I'm quite a nice person and I'm from a council estate.  I once had a guy almost refuse to walk me home after a night out because of where I lived!


I'm sure the council estates could be pretty rough, but I'll bet they're nothing like the American housing projects.  State governments invested in these islands of poverty after slum clearance/urban renewal/gentrification began in the 1940s.

They started getting the wrecking ball in the early '90s and soon there will be none left.

Names like Columbia Point, Pruitt--Igoe,* Cabrini Green, Robert Taylor Homes, and Nickerson Gardens still live in infamy. 

Mind you, city housing authorities promised "mixed income housing" as a solution, but I think the future is the suburban slum. 
::)

A great difference in the level of danger in American public housing versus British council housing is millions and millions of guns in the former.

*A spectacular failure in St. Louis.  This hellhole was razed way back in the early '70s.  You can see its demolition in the film "Koyaanisquatsi."

But not everyone from there is the same.

I think I'm quite a nice person and I'm from a council estate.  I once had a guy almost refuse to walk me home after a night out because of where I lived!


Hahaha, which one are you from? Didn't your lot come from Derby?

Hahaha, which one are you from? Didn't your lot come from Derby?


No not Derby.  Loughborough born and bred me!

I'm from Shelthorpe which used to be the worst in town though I'm not sure it is any more

No not Derby.  Loughborough born and bred me!

I'm from Shelthorpe which used to be the worst in town though I'm not sure it is any more


Shelthorpe. Karen that hardly counts, Loughborough as a whole is only about half the size of Braunstone. You've never been down to Dodge have you? (Called Dodge because if you end up there you wanna get the f**k out of..)  ;D

Shelthorpe. Karen that hardly counts, Loughborough as a whole is only about half the size of Braunstone. You've never been down to Dodge have you? (Called Dodge because if you end up there you wanna get the f**k out of..)  ;D


You just said Council Estates!

You just said Council Estates!


::)

You know what I mean. There are council estates and then there are forced housing projects where the doors are ripped off the hinges for firewood and the babies roll around in their own excrement until social services take them away.

::)

You know what I mean. There are council estates and then there are forced housing projects where the doors are ripped off the hinges for firewood and the babies roll around in their own excrement until social services take them away.


It's called Ling Avenue round here!

It's called Ling Avenue round here!


I don't know Ling Avenue, where in town is it?

I don't know Ling Avenue, where in town is it?


It's the worst bit of Shelthorpe.  Just off the new 'bypass' coming in from Leicester