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BLAIR WINS BACKING OF OLD FRIEND CLINTON Fri Jul 11 2003 20:53:48 ET Prime Minister Tony Blair received the impassioned support of his close friend Bill Clinton in his battle to redefine left-wing politics. The ex-US President echoed Mr Blair's warnings that unless politicians of the left embraced change they would face losing power to the resurgent right. Speaking last night at a lavish dinner in the City of London's Guildhall at the opening of a conference on the future of centre-left politics, Mr Clinton thanked the Prime Minister for proving that the "third way" could be a success. "I'm grateful to you sir for continuing to prove every day that economic prosperity and social progress go hand in hand," Mr Clinton said. But he warned of the twin dangers of a reinvigorated "pro-change conservatism" that had seen recent electoral successes in the US and parts of Europe, and critics from within the ranks of left-wing supporters. "Since we have proved that the third way works everywhere it's been given a fair chance, why are we under attack from the left in our own countries," he said. The Prime Minister has had to take on his own backbenchers in the House of Commons in recent months over controversial plans for foundation hospitals, the Iraq war, and faces further rebellions over university tuition fees in the future. Mr Clinton urged the critics of the Prime Minister's reforms to act as the "conscience" of centre-left governments. "I say to you there's a fourth way out there. It's not a do nothing conservatism, it's an aggressive pro-change conservatism. "It survives on enemies and attack and triumphs our evidence and argument. "It's first value is power and they are better at getting it and keeping it than most of us," he said. "If we want to prevail we will have to learn how to make our case better. "We're living in a new world in which we will be swallowed whole if we do not and all the evidence of the good we have done will be lost if we give in to inter-party squabbles on the left and lay down in the face of attacks on the right," he said. "We can never rest on our laurels." Guests included the Prime Minister's wife Cherie, Helen Clark, Prime Minister of New Zealand and a host of ministers and thinkers from left-wing politics around the world. Diners enjoyed poached haddock followed by fillet of lamb with sage and red onion crust. For dessert they were served an ensemble of exotic fruits. The meal was served with bottles of Chateau Tour St Bonnet 1996. Developing... |
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