Surprisingly little reaction on the Lib Dem blogosphere so far to Tony Blair’s speech yesterday in which he labelled the media a ‘feral beast’.
James Graham makes reference, and Stephen Tall attempts a ‘fisk’.
So what do Lib Dem Voice readers think of the Prime Minister’s views?
The first word can go to Don Foster, Lib Dem shadow secretary of state for culture, media and sport:
“While the Prime Minister bemoans the change in relationship between politicians and the press, he should recall that he has been its prime cause. It’s easy to blame the press for a loss of trust in politicians; a fairer analysis would point to his own culture of spin.
“Hints at the need for increased regulation of the press are deeply worrying. Politicians may not like what is sometimes written about them, but a free press is the best safeguard for accountability and against corruption and hypocrisy.”
8 Comments
Pot, kettle and black were the first words that sprang to mind.
Perhaps Blair is annoyed at the pesky media raking over Al Yamamah despite the Government having decided we mustn’t risk offending the Saudis…
Isn’t it more shocking that given Blair is the Prime Minister responsible for a disaster in Iraq, the loans for peerages scandal and protecting arms industry corruption that he is resigning at a time of his own chossing.
Forget about Blair, what’s this ridiculous half-baked housing policy that we’ve released today?
Letterman – you can find an analysis of the Lib Dem housing policy here: http://www.libdemvoice.org/opinion-buy-land-theyre-not-making-it-anymore-896.html
Letterman:- if you don’t know what the policy is, how do you know it is ridiculous and half-baked?
(to Lib Dem Member) Ming Campbell said it
Blair is right about the negative, destructive and anarchic approach of the over-self-important media. His problem is that he tried to play their game.