Blair's Blare

I'm not very often moved to comment on politics, but it's difficult not to brood on the democratic deficit as Brown seamlessly succeeds Blair at 10 Downing Street, the governance of the nation apparently having been sorted out over dinner between them thirteen years ago.

Hasn't Tony Blair's performance lately been extraordinary? I wouldn't be surprised to hear that NASA are investigating using his ego to power a mission to Mars next time I turn on the TV.

Back last September we had that leaked memo on the plans for leaving office:

"He needs to go with the crowds wanting more. He should be the star who won't even play that last encore. In moving towards the end he must focus on the future."

For the last few weeks we've endured - and paid for - the continent spanning, glad handing, back slapping Legacy Tour.

Finally - lest he be out of the headlines for five minutes - observe the unseemly haste with which his appointment as the UN Middle East envoy has been engineered and grabbed. A role in which he "faces a challenge winning Arab confidence". Really, you think so? Perhaps the recent halting of an investigation into claims BAE made improper payments to Saudi Arabian officials was a geopolitical master stroke to boost his credentials in the Gulf.

I can't help but wonder if he read the small print on the sin of pride before his flirtation with the Catholic Church?

How can I miss you, if you won't go away?