The Filter recently launched some invective at Newsnight for its Ethical Man project, perhaps justifiably so. But last night's analysis of the ten-year rule of Tony Blair on Newsnight was hewn from an altogether different rock, and was television of extraordinary quality. There were some genuinely fascinating opinions from the panelists who included Alan Milburn, David Hare, Alastair Campbell, Michael Howard, Polly Toynbee and Charles Kennedy. One-time Filter contributor Toynbee echoed what many in the Labour party and in the UK as a whole probably believe deep down: that whilst Blair's domestic record has been good, his international one has been something of a disaster. Playwright David Hare offered some fascinating ideas on Blair's unflinching support for George Bush's desire to invade Iraq.
But as the specially extended episode trundled towards midnight, there was something of an explosion. Michael Howard prefaced a savage attack on Alastair Campbell with a sort of care-free pre-cursor: 'Well, I've already written this in The Spectator so I might as well say it now...you [Campbell] are responsible for lowering the tone of politics in this country' [I paraphrase]. Campbell seemed remarkably laid-back in the face of this, but it still made gripping television - reminiscent of Michael Howard's previous Newsnight moment, 'Did you threaten to overrule him [x 18]'. Of all the panelists, Howard seemed the most keen to export his own qualities and credentials, and he added that he instructed his own 'spin-doctors' to 'never lie' - insinuating that Campbell did the opposite.
More heart-warming, and not on the circulated clip that you can view below, was how the debate parked itself into a cute, informal cul-de-sac as the programme neared its end. Campbell suggested that 'no-one's watching us anymore, they've all switched over...', whilst Charles Kennedy had the last word: 'You know, I'd love to know if Tony Blair is sat at home watching this...'.
Love Blair or hate him, we're nearing the end of an era, and this debate threw some fascinating shafts of dazzling light on significant aspects of that era. Watch it again here.
It was indeed quite excellent, although I didn't stay up until the end! What I feel this and other broadcast analysis lacked was the sort of objective depth required to understand the man (and it was also balanced a little too much in his favour - why did Milburn just appear?). Peter Wilby did a splendid job in Saturday's Guardian http://books.guardian.co.uk/departments/biography/story/0,,2072583,00.html
in which he quietly reviews the available literature and finds an empty shell of a politician. Everyone's lining up to say what a great leader Blair was, but what did he win for? To keep on tik-taking across the policy spectrum (yet always veering to the right) ad infinitum? What the hell did he actually stand for?
Posted by: Matthew Whitfield | May 11, 2007 at 04:24 PM
One of the more interesting comments was, I think, from Peter Mandelson, who said that Blair's unique vision was that social justice could sit alongside ecomonic prosperity - and that that formed the basis of his policies. If you air-brush out Iraq (yes, I know it's not easy) and consider the big achievements - new deal, sure start, tax credits, independence of the Bank of England and economic stability - you get the impression that Blair achieved such a vision. I have some serious issues with Tony Blair, but I honestly believe he was a passionate crusader for modern social justice. I honestly believe that, and that that's right. Jesus...do I sound like anyone familiar....?
Posted by: Andrew Mellor | May 11, 2007 at 05:44 PM
What the hell did he actually stand for?
He stood for making Labour electable, and did so with a deep and geniune belief that capitalism and equality aren't fundamentally incompatible - hence his conviction toward macroeconomic stability, and public sector reforms along market lines.
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