As Blair departed Number 10 this afternoon it was hard not to share the feelings of the BBC Political Editor, Nick Robinson:
“Extraordinary. Gob-smackingly, spine-chillingly, hair-raisingly extraordinary.”
Only Cherie Blair had words for the asssembled media after she and her husband embraced her children on the steps of Number 10:
“Goodbye, I don’t think we’ll miss you.”
Like Mr Blair’s ‘feral beasts’ comment on the media it was an expression of the pressure that the press has put this couple under and their unhappy reaction to it. History will judge who is to ‘blame’.
All I know is that this was a day of ritual and a day of historic symbolism. And it was one of those rare days when parts of me wishes I was back in the newsroom with all the other beasts.
In reply to Nick Robinson’s comments: the problem with the media, particularly the BBC, is they seem to think it’s now their job to create news not just to report it, which is why they pontificate and ponder issues from which the rest of us have long since moved on. Then when they succeed in bringing whatever it is they have a bee in their bonnet about, this time, back to the headlines, they crow with delight at their own importance.
Please can we go back to the media just reporting the news, not whipping a nothing up into something they can burble on about for hour after hour? And then tell us how clever they were to do so. Yawn….
“Extraordinary. Gob-smackingly, spine-chillingly, hair-raisingly extraordinary.”
I just read Nick’s words again to see if I could work out EXACTLY what it meant. It is a bit ambivalent.
Is it of the praise to the actor sort, “Darling, you’ve done it again!” or “Amazing is not the word!” ?
No, I actually think Nick felt the same as I did, and I am a Blair supporter, as you can tell by my slightly-out-of-time blog ;0)
Nick pretty much understood the ‘feral beast’ argument, as did many of us. But I contend that it’s worse than the personal pain of feeling you’re being torn limb from limb.
It’s the fact that the reader BELIEVES the press. After all it’s not just ONE of them saying this, they’re all at it – “in a pack” as Blair said – so they MUST know something.
So people treat the partially consumed politician as OBVIOUSLY a liar or worse. He deserves it all. Then they spit him out in disgust. Him AND his family.
And who does the killer journalist answer to?
Another comment Nick Robinson said when he was standing outside Downing Street before Blair’s departure was:
“Tony Blair’s legacy can be summed up in two words: David Cameron”.
Tony Blair FAILED lamentably in every respect insomuch as he stated that policies get one elected. Sadly that is true. However, to declare a POLICY but not be able to PROPERLY IMPLEMENT it is the hieght of stupidity. So much for our political structure! All M.P’s and potential ministers should be able to demonstrate their ability in this respect; BY TRAINING AND TEST. That is no less than New Labour have tried to oblige all, but them selves, to do. The electorate have RIGHT TO EXPECT professionalism from would-be ambitious men (or women). Even chimney sweeps need to be able to do the job! Blair’s legacy – Learn to DO the job not just chat about it! After 10 years it ought to be obvious.