Well, I can read in your post where it was someone's opinion that he "relished" sending troops into battle. The opinion of an aide is one thing. An admission by Blair himself would be another. This is nothing but hearsay printed as fact.

To Rightwinger:

Actually, even living here in America and following the news from Britain at second-hand via the online editions of the Guardian and the Independent, it's more than possible to connect the Price diary with the Iraq debacle, the condescension and deceit that led up to the beginning of that foolish adventure, and New Labour's unending addiction to the focus-group and the short term poll.

But since I doubt you have any understanding of British politics (as most of the British have no understanding of American politics) I can't really take offence at the glib manner with which you brush off Blair's ongoing campaign to be remembered as the first British President.

Nor can I really call you to account for not understanding that 'spin' has been the favorite language of Blair and his advisors (personally appointed by Blair and completely bypassing the proper channels of Cabinet debate and decision-making) since its inception.

On the whole Britman's comments seem a reasonable response to one more example of Blair's increasing disconnection from the grass-roots of his Party and its support in the country.

On the whole Britman's comments seem a reasonable response to one more example of Blair's increasing disconnection from the grass-roots of his Party and its support in the country.

Americans need to look past the view of Blair as 'brave' with the "spirit of Churchill" and appreciate the damage that Blair's presidential style of government is doing to British democracy.

Americans need to look past the view of Blair as 'brave' with the "spirit of Churchill" and appreciate the damage that Blair's presidential style of government is doing to British democracy.

I suspect it would be impossible to give a quick lesson on British politics, but what do you mean when calling Blair's style of government "presidential"? Is this to say that you believe he is acting as both head of government and head of state?

Also, can you suggest any good internet reading that will describe the process of government in the UK?

Thanks!

But since I doubt you have any understanding of British politics (as most of the British have no understanding of American politics) I can't really take offence at the glib manner with which you brush off Blair's ongoing campaign to be remembered as the first British President.

I think Emporer, that right winger may be coming from the American thinking that really places a whole lot of doubt about how factual someone's writings are when those writings are for the specific purpose of making money. The main source of information for this book is, as the title states, the author's diary. While upon it's release we may find that it contains some facts, so far it seems Mr. Price is merely expressing his opinion of Blair's state of mind rather than offering up any personal conversations he may have had with Blair. It just all seems a bit tabloid-ish, every article I found on the upcoming book read like something from a "Star" magazine or some other celebrity tabloid which, while entertaining, are not necessarily where I would go for serious news. So I don't know if rightwinger is "brushing off Blair's rememberance campaign" so much as doubting the intentions of an author of a book that so far has offered up nothing more than innuendo in an attempt to sell books.

Regardless of one's opinion of Mr. Blair, most people, except of course the rabidly anti-Blair, would probably questions this guys intentions and honesty. If Mr. Price was just an altruist that wanted to let the world know how bad Blair is for the UK and the Labour Party, he could have merely been interviewed on national television for the world to see. However, if you want to hear his story badly enough now that you've had a taste of some of the juicy leaks then you will have to buy his story for £16.99. As an American and knowing very little of Blair besides snippets from US news agencies, I would not propose to have the slightest idea about the workings of British politics, I simply have my doubts about this Mr. Price and his book that has so far offered up nothing more than tabloid rubbish.