Tony Blair's scarlet letter

[marmar]

(Independent UK) After more than five years of focusing on foreign affairs and his business interests, Tony Blair makes his return to domestic politics tomorrow – 48 hours later than expected.

The former Prime Minister had been due to address Labour activists last night in Lambeth, south London, in an event organised by his long-standing ally Dame Tessa Jowell. But his appearance had to be cancelled at the last moment when anti-war protesters found out about the event and threatened to mount a large demonstration against his presence.

Instead, Mr Blair will speak tomorrow at a sport-themed Labour fundraising dinner at Arsenal's Emirates stadium. He will be alongside Ed Miliband, making it the first time that the former Prime Minister and the current Labour leader have appeared together at a public event since the general election. At his side will be his former director of communications Alastair Campbell and the Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

It will mark a further tentative step by Mr Blair back into the domestic arena since his unwilling departure from Downing Street in 2007. In the intervening period he has built up a business portfolio, spoken frequently on the US lecture circuit, written his memoirs and pursued his unpaid role as the Quartet representative to the Middle East. ...............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/demonstrators-disrupt-blairs-comeback-plan-7924947.html

[DontTreadOnMe]

1. Bush's Poodle

That nickname will follow him forever.

[quinnox]

2. Rice, Rumsfeld, Blair, Bush, Cheney

This is why the world is in such a state, with these kinds of leaders as routine.