AT the launch of Labour’s manifesto, Tony Blair asked the public to trust him, so we asked our e-mail jury whether they trusted him more or less since the General Election of 2001.
Sorry Tony, but a staggering nine out of 10 (90.4 per cent) say they don’t trust you or trust you less.
“I can’t remember distrusting any politician more than Blair,” says Harry Stephenson. “His most revolting habit is the contempt in which he holds the public. That he can sleep at night astounds me.”
Victoria McNamara blasts, “I definitely trust Blair far less. He took us into an illegal war and to blame bad advice is not acceptable. One minute he behaves like a dictator, then he blames his advisors.”
There’s no doubting where Susan Brockett stands. “Blair is one of the most deceitful people in politics. He took us to war based on lies, pushed through student top-up fees, lied about taxes and forced through unwanted changes to the NHS.
“I’d rather trust Genghis Khan!”
“Blair is less trustworthy than a dodgy used-car salesman,” snipes Niall Aslen, while Chris Morgan is equally cynical: “If he told me the sun would rise tomorrow I wouldn’t believe him.”
“I no longer trust Blair because of his handling of Iraq,” says Gordon Reid. “He should have spent more time here and less touring the world as a self-appointed Mr Fix-it.”
Gordon Clark asks, “How can I trust him when he lied over Iraq and says postal voting is fine, even though a judge says it’s wide open to fraud?”
The suicide of weapons inspector Dr David Kelly troubles Harry Collins. “I’ve lost any trust I had in Blair after the dodgy dossiers and the treatment of Dr Kelly, for whose death I hold Blair completely responsible.”
“I never trust any politician,” says Bill Purvis.
“However, I trust Blair even less than the others. Labour has failed to achieve any great improvement in the NHS and he continues to mislead us over the European constitution.”
“I trust him less, but then I didn’t trust him much before!” blasts Harry Tomczyk. “Ever since he and New Labour came to power they’ve said one thing and done another.
“They keep talking about helping people save for retirement, then taxed pension funds.
“Now most people have inferior pensions but are paying for the vastly increased number of Government workers with full pensions.”
Moral matters
Moral matters cloud Monica Burns’s opinion.
“I didn’t trust Bliar — sorry, Blair —at the last election and I trust him less now. He has a poor voting record on abortion and euthanasia and if he’s not concerned with the beginning and end of life he doesn’t deserve my vote.”
A few jurors have kept faith, however. “I trust him slightly more,” says Gerald Wild. “He trusted his advisors, kept faith with his allies and he’s learned a valuable lesson. I don’t think he’ll slip up again.”
Joan Lewis actually trusts Tony more. “He was an unknown quantity when he started and I think that, apart from one BIG mistake, he is trying. I don’t think anyone else is trustworthy, certainly not Michael Howard. And will Charles Kennedy have time after nappy changing duties? No, Blair will do for me.”
Rena Blight even has sympathy for the PM. “I just wish everyone, especially the media, would stop nitpicking. I wouldn’t want his responsibilities, would you?”
The Sunday Post e-mail jury is a unique body of readers of all ages, backgrounds, political persuasions, interests, etc, spread all across the country. So they are perfect for gauging the mood of the moment.
If you would like to join our jury and comment on a wide range of important topical issues, simply send us an e-mail containing your contact details to
SPpanel@sundaypost.com
We’ll get back to you.
SundayPost
