Tony Blair out of touch, says former city MP Linda Gilroy
LINDA GILROY, former Labour MP for Plymouth Sutton & Devonport, said she would be taking the contents of the memoirs with "a big pinch of salt".
Mrs Gilroy, pictured right with Tony Blair, who lost her seat to Conservative Oliver Colvile in May, said she was "disappointed" with Mr Blair's comments and felt he had lost touch with the public during his final years in office.
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She said: "It will certainly be an interesting read for those of us who were close to Tony Blair or involved in his government.
"I can't help but feel that he got more and more out of touch with how people's lives really were.
"I'm disappointed with some of the things he is saying in the book — they're unhelpful and I do not agree with them.
"Very few governments get between two or three terms, but he appears to be criticising Gordon Brown and others for losing the election. I don't think that anybody would have won it.
"He was a marvellous Prime Minister, but I believe there should be an eight year limit imposed on how long you can hold that position.
"It is impossible for any human being to stay in touch with their people over that period of time.
"I haven't got my copy yet, but when I do read it I'll be taking it with a big pinch of salt."
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by Mike, Plymouth
Friday, September 03 2010, 6:21AM
“If Linda Gilroy had been brave enough to say this when she was an MP, she might still be one.
However, gutlessly toeing the party line (e.g. the ill thought out Digital Economy Act) is what persuaded me to vote for somebody else this time.
You forgot the crucial point Linda. You were elected to serve the electorate, not your political party or big business lobbyists.
You won't be missed.”
by Mick, Barbican
Friday, September 03 2010, 2:39AM
“Correction- -that's why the Brit electorate slung his pupil Brown out of Downing St..:)”
by Mick, Barbican
Friday, September 03 2010, 2:32AM
“Quote- "Tony Blair out of touch, says Linda Gilroy"
We know darling, that's why the Brit electorate slung him out of Downing St..:)”
by Don McCullen, Torquay
Friday, September 03 2010, 1:26AM
“Hmmmm Ms Gilroy, funny how you failed to mention any of this at the time. As a Labour MP you backed a Government that plunged the country in to billions of ££££'s of debt, did nothing for your constituents and seem unable to slink off in to obscurity with your fat MP pension intact.
Shame you were not so critical of either Blair or Brown when you held the seat.
In the words of you self admitted over drinking, flawed and control freakish ex leader, "Be done, Be gone!"”
by ty, Plymouth
Thursday, September 02 2010, 6:20PM
“???”
by Sceptic, Plymouth
Thursday, September 02 2010, 3:33PM
“Linda may be unemployed but she is on a thumping great parliamentary pension so don¿t laugh too loud or feel so smug!.”
by Sceptic, Plymouth
Thursday, September 02 2010, 3:32PM
“Linda may be unemployed but she is on a thumping great parliamentary pension so don¿t laugh to loud or feel so smug!.”
by David, Crownhill
Thursday, September 02 2010, 1:37PM
“Sid of Crownhill.
Yes, Tony Blair was a good communicator. He was also egotistical arrogant and patronising to the public at large. 'Tony knows best' was always his motto. Try reading the Hubris Syndrome by Dr. David Owen. Interesting bed time reading for an old socialist like you.”
by Steve, Millbay
Thursday, September 02 2010, 12:01PM
“Ha Ha Ha. This is the funniest thing I've heard all year. Linda Gilroy calling Tony Blair 'Out of Touch'. What did he do Linda? Join your Club? That's why you are a FORMER MP!”
by Sid, Crownhill
Thursday, September 02 2010, 11:47AM
“Watching last nights interview with Tony Blair reminded me of what a great statesman and communicator he is.The labour party abandon New Labour policies at their peril.
To get elected you have to reach out to the middle ground not go back to attracting the left only factions. Roll on David Millband!”