Britain: Blair, poodle of Bush, and of Rupert Murdoch

This video from the USA is called Moyers on Murdoch; PBS.

Tony Blair is not just a poodle of George W Bush.

A bit like the 18th century Italian theatre role Harlequin, he seems to be the servant of at least two masters.

From British daily The Independent:

Former aide lifts lid on Blair‘s links with Murdoch

By Andy McSmith

Published: 29 May 2006

Rupert Murdoch, the media mogul, had so much influence over Tony Blair’s government in its early days that he was like “the 24th member of the Cabinet”, according to a former Downing Street spin doctor.

Lance Price, deputy to Alastair Campbell, the Prime Minister’s press secretary, from 1998 to 2001, implied that the silent presence of Mr Murdoch in government deliberations was one of No 10’s most sensitive secrets.

Speaking at the Hay Festival, he revealed that when he submitted his book, The Spin Doctor’s Diary, for vetting, there were more objections to references to Mr Murdoch than to anything he wrote about Mr Blair’s fraught relationship with Gordon Brown.

“The close relationship between Tony Blair, New Labour and Rupert Murdoch was a double-edged sword,” he said.

“It won the government invaluable support from the News International stable, but at a high price.

“The Prime Minister’s meetings with Mr Murdoch were often treated like state secrets.

His voice was rarely heard … but his presence was always felt.”

See also here.

Blair government in trouble: here.

Talking not just about Blair, but also about his role model, Margaret Thatcher: some of her dirty laundry became public as well.