Sir Michael Spicer: What are the characteristics of old Labour that he dislikes so much? Tony Blair: I am afraid that the Hon. Gentleman will have to repeat that. Sir Michael Spicer: What are the characteristics of old Labour that he dislikes so much? Tony Blair: Basically, that it never won two successive terms of Government and, perhaps, that it never put the Conservative party flat on its back, which is where it is now. Thankfully, we are running an economy with low inflation, low mortgage rates and low unemployment; fortunately, we are doing a darn sight better than the Government of whom the right hon. Gentleman was a Member, who had-I thank him for allowing me to mention this-interest rates at 10 per cent. for four years, 3 million unemployed and two recessions. Whether it is old Labour or new Labour, it is a darn sight better than the Tories.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Blair contrasts New Labour’s economic success with the Conservative record of the previous era, arguing that old Labour failed to govern effectively.
- In plain terms
- New Labour manages the economy better than the Conservatives or old Labour ever did.
- What can you take from it?
- Governing success is measured by economic stability and winning elections.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do you judge a government’s success?
- Does past failure excuse current performance?
Another view
The comparison simplifies complex economic cycles into partisan wins.
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