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News: Finally Posting

Jun 27, 2007 News

I am such a bum for not updating this blog more often…with summer holidays hitting, I seem to be slacking and doing other things than commenting on the news here; I have been skimming but there are days where there’s nothing going on that everyone’s repeating the same soundbite for a few weeks at the time. But today is an interesting day…no, I am not talking about the whole Paris Hilton craze, I am talking about the transition of leadership in the United Kingdom…

BBC: [link] [link]
So this is it, today was the day that Tony Blair officially stepped down at Prime Minister of Great Britain and Gordon Brown ascended to take his place. It’s a rather interesting process, far more interesting to tune in than the shift of leadership here in Canada. I guess it took me to today to realize the scope and the influence and the journey Mr. Blair has had throughout the course of his political career. The fact that he has served as the representative for his riding (forgot the British political equivalent to this term—is it borough?) for over 24 years is impressive. And despite recent criticism over his ties with the United States and his involvement with the war, he has certainly made an impact in British politics, particularly with Northern Ireland (as many have pointed out). Serving over 10 years in 10 Downing, how could you not make an impact? I also never realized until today how long Gordon Brown had been waiting to becoming PM of Great Britain, and it’s funny how the press (okay, BBC World, since it’s my main source of information, lol) emphasizes on this. And he too had a very long journey into coming to power the way that he did…however, as impressive as his record was as Chancellor of the Exchequer, I wonder about the sort of PM he would be. Handling the business of an entire country is certainly different than handling the Treasury (however big and important that department is to a nation). And he certainly doesn’t seem like the personality of a leader (Blair was charismatic and open to people; Brown seems sombre, a man who seems more fit to play behind the scenes). He will certainly have to do a lot to win the support of the people, that he is meant to be where he’s at—and although people have mentioned that he has three years before he’s required to call for a general election, I have this feeling it’ll be called sooner. I just hope his time as PM doesn’t turn out as failing as Canada’s Paul Martin (remember that he too was Minister of Finance before succeeding Jean Cretien as Prime Minister of Canada…after about 2 years, he and his party were kicked out of power in a national election).

The London Times: [link]
The fact that Blair’s not taking much of a breather and is heading off to the Middle East as an envoy is quite impressive; you think that after 10 years in public office, the first thing you’d think of is “Hmm, it’d be nice to do nothing for the next year or so”. Of course, the move is, however fascinating as it is, subject to immense scrutiny and criticism. After all, he was the major ally that supported the invasion of Iraq so obviously his political clout is somewhat under question in the region. However, the fact that officially he was accepted by the Quartet and that most people living in the region supports his appointment seems to show not only that Blair still carries some clout and influence but that (perhaps I am bold to say this) Great Britain still has some clout and influence in the region. Although most of the Middle East was under its dominion during the Imperial periods of the 18c and 19c, there was always that understanding that the peoples of the Middle East would rather deal with the British and the Europeans more readily than with the Americans. We’ll have to see where this goes.

And two more points to add:

• Canada should adopt the UK Parliamentary set-up and sit side by side on green cushy seats as opposed to the school-desk cubicles that they have right now. It gives a more cosy, democratic environment as opposed to the distant and sterile environment that the Canadian House of Commons (and perhaps other Commonwealth Parliaments) have. It’s good to know the tradition is alive and well where MPs are still squeezing between one another to stay comfortable, where MPs in the back have to stand up to voice their questions and critiques and party leaders have to stand up to the centre table to answer or give their reports. Good ol’ original British parliamentary sytem.
• “I wish everyone, friend or foe, well. And that is that. The end.” – Tony Blair in conclusion of his session in Parliament. That has got to be the best last line any politician has ever made on their last day in the job. I wish I was as cool to come up with something like that.

Tags: news: politics, news: world