CHANGE FOR BETTER
'Love him or loathe him - and there are plenty on both sides - this PM has given Britain a genuine lift in 10 years at No. 10. This country is more tolerant and at ease with itself than at any time in its post-war history. We've enjoyed unprecedented prosperity and social stability. Despite recriminations over Iraq, immigration and rising crime, he can rightly claim that as a remarkable achievement.'
THE SUN
NO REAL DIFFERENCE
'Our departing Prime Minister promised so much and has, in truth, delivered so little. No leader of any political stripe has taken office with such a powerful mandate, such overwhelming popular approval.
Yet how carelessly he squandered the opportunity to effect real change...By making spin, manipulation and expectation management central to its work, New Labour has debauched the governing process.'
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
GOOD AND BAD
'History will remember Tony Blair as the most accomplished actor-politician of modern times - the man who made Labour electable after 18 years and went on to win three victories in a row...
But he will also be remembered as the Prime Minister who squandered all his opportunities and brought the governance of Britain - through breathtaking incompetence, spin and deceit - into disarray and disrepute. Abroad, in vast areas of the globe, our reputation lies in tatters.'
THE DAILY MAIL
NO CREDIBILITY
'Our exiting Prime Minister's continuing support for President Bush's aggression in the (Middle East) region and his inability to acknowledge the reality of their misguided adventure defy logic...
Even our moderate Arab allies say that Mr Blair's credibility in the region is in pieces. At least, they say, Mr Bush believes in his position, while Mr Blair merely parrots the US line while privately wringing his hands.'
THE DAILY MIRROR