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04/07/2003
Tories slam 'lonely' Blair over rallying call
A speech by the Prime Minister today, designed to unite the Labour Party – and not to "relaunch" it according to Downing Street – behind public service reform, has been slammed by the Tories as a "lonely attempt" by a "condemned man".
Mr Blair was in Liverpool today where he made his rallying call, largely to the left-wing 'awkward squad', to "remember who the enemy is" and fall in behind government policy over public sector reform.
It has been a tough time for the PM dealing with controversy surrounding the BBC and WMD dossiers, and the resurgent trade unions, foundation hospitals, the recent reshuffle, the euro and university top up fees.
But with his government caught in mid-term doldrums, Mr Blair delivered a passionate call for Labour and its supporters to back the government's "historic mission", and warned of the dangers of listening to nay-sayers.
"We have taken some knocks and we have to live with that - and sometimes paid a price for genuinely difficult, even unpopular, decisions. But the fundamental direction in which we are leading the country is right," he said.
"No progressive who is truly interested in transforming the life opportunities of all in our society can be content with the passivity and the sheer powerlessness of eternal opposition."
But Conservative chairman Theresa May dismissed the speech as an exercise in "delivering yet more spin rather than actually delivering on any of the promises he made to the British people".
She added: "This is a Prime Minister increasingly out of touch with the British people and more interested in securing his own place in history. After promising us for so long that delivery was just around the corner he now seems to be saying not only that he can't deliver but that it doesn't actually matter anyway. I think the public will take a very different view.
"This government is split from top to bottom… After six years, 60 tax rises and massive increases in spending, we're still not getting the improvements in our public services that we all want to see - and people are not getting the fair deal they expect and deserve. Labour are taxing, spending and failing."
(GMcG)
Mr Blair was in Liverpool today where he made his rallying call, largely to the left-wing 'awkward squad', to "remember who the enemy is" and fall in behind government policy over public sector reform.
It has been a tough time for the PM dealing with controversy surrounding the BBC and WMD dossiers, and the resurgent trade unions, foundation hospitals, the recent reshuffle, the euro and university top up fees.
But with his government caught in mid-term doldrums, Mr Blair delivered a passionate call for Labour and its supporters to back the government's "historic mission", and warned of the dangers of listening to nay-sayers.
"We have taken some knocks and we have to live with that - and sometimes paid a price for genuinely difficult, even unpopular, decisions. But the fundamental direction in which we are leading the country is right," he said.
"No progressive who is truly interested in transforming the life opportunities of all in our society can be content with the passivity and the sheer powerlessness of eternal opposition."
But Conservative chairman Theresa May dismissed the speech as an exercise in "delivering yet more spin rather than actually delivering on any of the promises he made to the British people".
She added: "This is a Prime Minister increasingly out of touch with the British people and more interested in securing his own place in history. After promising us for so long that delivery was just around the corner he now seems to be saying not only that he can't deliver but that it doesn't actually matter anyway. I think the public will take a very different view.
"This government is split from top to bottom… After six years, 60 tax rises and massive increases in spending, we're still not getting the improvements in our public services that we all want to see - and people are not getting the fair deal they expect and deserve. Labour are taxing, spending and failing."
(GMcG)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
