Dropping Your Pants With Unseemly Haste

I know that kissing the arse of a departing Prime Minister when they finally resign or get booted is not unprecedented. One of my first political memories is watching the news just after Thatcher decided not to contest the second round of the Tory leadership contest back in 1990. And who were the first two people on the news, praising her? Neil Kinnock, the Opposition leader, who had been trying to depose her for years and Michael Hesletine, the man who had just deposed her. Gushing, hypocritical praise from those who opposed her.

But Blair's sendoff defies precedent and sickens me as a result. A standing ovation in the Commons for the man? I'm sorry, but what? Blair is good at one thing, and one thing alone - winning elections. If this skill made you a good Prime Minister, then he would have been on of the best. But as he has proved, being a good election winner does not mean you will be a good PM.

And listen to what Cameron has to say:

"On behalf of everyone on these benches, can I congratulate him on his remarkable achievement of being prime minister for 10 years. For all of the heated battles across this dispatch box, for 13 years he has led his party; for 10 years he has led our country, and no-one can be in any doubt in terms of the huge efforts he has made in terms of public service... "He has considerable achievements to his credit, whether it is peace in Northern Ireland, whether it is his work in the developing world which I know will endure."

That's not a member of Blair's family, circle of friends or even party. It is the Tory leader. But Ming the Merciful is not going to allow himself to be left behind in the arse kissing stakes:

"...in relation to our personal dealings, he has been unfailingly courteous and I would like to express my gratitude to him for that. As he leaves office, may I, on behalf of my colleagues, extend our very best wishes to him and his family."

Remember, these guys are the opposition. Although you wouldn't have been able to tell this yesterday. Nick Robinson nicely links this behaviour with The Thick of It on his blog - Blair is no longer a threat, so now he gets praised like a hero.

Well, I'm sorry but no. No, no, no, no, no. Blair resigning does not make a blind bit of fucking difference. I am not going to change my opinion because he has buggered off into the distance, like a second rate cowboy in a cheap as shit Western. The truth remains the same.

Tony Blair is a tosser. Always has been, and always will be.