Last evening Blair was interviewed by Andrew Marr for BBC2. Marr for ever the professional took Blair through his relationship with Brown, the War in Iraq, and a short analysis of the Peace Process in N.Ireland (which I'm sure history will judge as his greatest achievement).
There was nothing left to be gleamed about Iraq, although I doubt if anyone expected to hear him say he got it wrong. It was all a mistake etc.
Perhaps what was more revealing was his belief that Labour lost the 2010 election, not so much because of Brown's leadership but because it deviated from the New Labour plan. His recipe for revival was more public sector reform, frankly when commentators said that Cameron was the natural successor to Blair, I sense they were right. Blair claimed to be a progressive and denied vigourously that he was a Conservative. However what was clear is that Blair left the Centre-Left of politics long ago.
Significantly the media is hinting that David Milliband has asked Blair not to back him for the Labour Party leadership, his support could just be the kiss of death. Blair himself feels that he was liked by the public rather than the Party. Frankly it's not surprising, he stripped any vestige of socialism out of Labour, his social policies although an advance on the past, could arguably have been pursued by any liberal politician. What separates Blair from the left of centre is his view that the role of the State should be restricted and reduced. On last nights performance Blair could fit snugly alongside the Con Dem coalition.... as part of a much wider consensus on the centre right.
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