Blair: Tory policies ‘in the kindergarten’
Prime minister Tony Blair once again defended chancellor Gordon Brown’s record on the economy during prime minister’s questions today.
In what is becoming a regular response when asked about his relationship with the chancellor, Mr Blair outlined the economic achievements of Mr Brown, pointing to economic growth and reduced unemployment, adding he is “delighted to have had that record in government”.
Mr Blair downplayed the Conservatives’ recent success in opinion polls, arguing that strength of policy wins elections.
He told Conservative leader David Cameron: “When it comes to serious policy making he is in the kindergarten, we have got the answers.”
Inevitably, the prime minister was asked about Labour fundraiser Lord Levy, who is increasingly the focus of the cash-for-honours investigation.
Mr Blair declined to comment on the ongoing police investigation but attacked the Scottish National Party for campaigning on an investigation run by the London Metropolitan police to win the Scottish election.
Prime minister’s questions began with Mr Blair defending the union between England and Scotland, claiming that Scotland benefits from being part of the UK, just as England benefits from Scotland being part of the union.
Scotland would suffer if it was “wrenched” from the UK, he warned.
Mr Blair also told MPs that “real progress” was being made in Afghanistan, where British troops were doing a “remarkable” job standing up to “bullies” in the Taliban.
Describing the conflict as a “battle of values”, Mr Blair did express hopes that other countries would commit more troops to Afghanistan, but he insisted the UK’s additional deployment would improve troop safety.
Continuing his theme of global responsibility, Mr Blair also insisted that investing in African countries via humanitarian assistance is investment in “our own future”.
The prime minister also paid tribute to campaigners against forced marriage. The government fully supports the aims of a private members bill seeking to ban forced marriage, Mr Blair stated.
Similarly he stated that the government will continue to support the victims of domestic violence. By treating the issue seriously and protecting people more vigorously, domestic violence has fallen by 60 per cent in the past ten years, Mr Blair said.
Asked about the increasing focus on schools admissions, the prime minister argued that the most important thing is to improve the number of good schools. A few parents will always be disappointed, he said, but the focus should be on improving standards in all schools.
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