Prime Minister Blair shrugged off enemies’ calls for him to quit and revealed the secret of his success is strong leadership as he made a speech at a summit in California. He told those assembled that Britain will carry on fighting against Islamic extremism which, he said, was trying to carry out a revolution against the modern world.
He then attacked countries like France and Germany which are wedded to outdated welfare states and refusing to face up to global competition.
They are turning their backs on free trade and investment in science and technology, Mr Blair said.
He then warned against anti-Americanism that is sweeping Continental Europe, and backed research into stem cell development.
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Blair: I'll do it my way
By GEORGE PASCOE-WATSON
Political Editor in San Francisco
Tony Blair: a great global statesman.
TONY Blair last night defied his critics by vowing to stay in power — and to do it HIS way.
The PM shrugged off enemies’ calls for him to quit and revealed the secret of his success is strong leadership.
He made it clear he has stayed at the top for almost ten years by sticking to his guns and refusing to be blown off course by opponents.
And he promised to carry on in the fight against global terrorism and to rid the world of despots.
Mr Blair told a summit in California organised by News Corporation (The Sun’s parent company): “I have many opponents on this subject but complete inner confidence in the analysis of the struggle we face. The world changes fast, the policy changes necessary to cope are hugely challenging.
“Opposition from traditionalists is immense. The media climate will be often harsh. Pressure groups with single causes can be benevolent but can also exercise a malign tyranny over the public debate.
“For a leader, don’t let your ego be carried away by the praise or your spirit diminished by the criticism — and look on each with a very searching eye. But for heaven’s sake, above all else, lead.”
Mr Blair set out a blueprint for leadership in today’s world which stressed he is in no hurry to quit Number 10 and hand over to Gordon Brown — or anyone else.
The PM spoke of the huge demands on world leaders and company bosses in the ever-changing modern world.
And he said leaders have to show the guts and determination to face the challenges head-on.
He went on: “In these times, caution is error. To hesitate is to lose. Yet many of the decisions are acutely, finely balanced.”
The Premier said Muslim extremists were trying to carry out a revolution against the modern world.
He went on: “The even deeper roots of the troubles in the Middle East reach right down into a more basic struggle — between those who want to embrace and those who resist the modern world.
“The fanatical, reactionary elements of the global terrorism, based on a false view of Islam, are in reality, a revolt against the modern world, its diversity, its mass culture, its belief in equality of race and gender, its openness.”
Mr Blair said the old battle between lefty socialism and right-wing capitalism was dead. Now the world faced the threat of isolationism, protectionism and nativism.
He slammed countries like France and Germany, which are wedded to outdated welfare states and refusing to face up to global competition.
They are turning their backs on free trade and investment in science and technology.
And they are wrongly trying to save jobs by stopping foreign workers coming in and blocking overseas companies from buying their firms (unlike Britain, which allows people all over the world to buy her companies). Mr Blair stressed that nations which bury their heads in the sand lose out — because they are battered by events and unable to do anything about it.
And the only route to economic success and a healthy society was to trigger an explosion in money-making ventures. He said: “The reason Europe has to change the social model is not because we no longer need social justice.
“It is because today’s world means social justice can only be achieved through education, not regulation, through enterprise flourishing and creating wealth, not being constrained.
“Countries can choose foreign policies that are engaged, seeking to sort out the world’s problems. Or they can try to avoid problems, refrain from controversy or picking sides — isolating a nation from the hurly burly of the world’s challenges but also from the opportunity to shape their outcome.”
Mr Blair insisted his brand of leadership meant ensuring Britain opens its doors to labour migration.
The PM warned against the perils of growing anti-American feelings across Europe.
He said: “It is foolish, short-sighted and ultimately very dangerous. The Transatlantic alliance between Europe and North America is of seminal importance.”
Mr Blair revealed he and President George Bush are to try and kickstart the failed world trade talks which collapsed last week.
He is determined to clinch a deal to open up trade to the third world and help African countries stand on their own feet.
And he insisted climate change was a massive problem facing the world which has to be tackled now — along with ways of securing energy for generations to come.
Mr Blair then claimed one of his legacies was that he has destroyed left versus right politics in Britain.
Parties are no longer divided down traditional lines, he said.
He dismissed attacks for going too far too fast in policy changes — saying he has not been radical enough.
Mr Blair added: “If it is correct that the challenge of rapid change is enormous, then the response has to be fundamental also.”
The PM will today fly to Los Angeles for talks with high tech firms in a bid to boost UK trade.
And he will back research into stem cell development which many hope will lead to the eradication of the world’s worst diseases.
thesun.co.uk
He then attacked countries like France and Germany which are wedded to outdated welfare states and refusing to face up to global competition.
They are turning their backs on free trade and investment in science and technology, Mr Blair said.
He then warned against anti-Americanism that is sweeping Continental Europe, and backed research into stem cell development.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blair: I'll do it my way
By GEORGE PASCOE-WATSON
Political Editor in San Francisco
Tony Blair: a great global statesman.
TONY Blair last night defied his critics by vowing to stay in power — and to do it HIS way.
The PM shrugged off enemies’ calls for him to quit and revealed the secret of his success is strong leadership.
He made it clear he has stayed at the top for almost ten years by sticking to his guns and refusing to be blown off course by opponents.
And he promised to carry on in the fight against global terrorism and to rid the world of despots.
Mr Blair told a summit in California organised by News Corporation (The Sun’s parent company): “I have many opponents on this subject but complete inner confidence in the analysis of the struggle we face. The world changes fast, the policy changes necessary to cope are hugely challenging.
“Opposition from traditionalists is immense. The media climate will be often harsh. Pressure groups with single causes can be benevolent but can also exercise a malign tyranny over the public debate.
“For a leader, don’t let your ego be carried away by the praise or your spirit diminished by the criticism — and look on each with a very searching eye. But for heaven’s sake, above all else, lead.”
Mr Blair set out a blueprint for leadership in today’s world which stressed he is in no hurry to quit Number 10 and hand over to Gordon Brown — or anyone else.
The PM spoke of the huge demands on world leaders and company bosses in the ever-changing modern world.
And he said leaders have to show the guts and determination to face the challenges head-on.
He went on: “In these times, caution is error. To hesitate is to lose. Yet many of the decisions are acutely, finely balanced.”
The Premier said Muslim extremists were trying to carry out a revolution against the modern world.
He went on: “The even deeper roots of the troubles in the Middle East reach right down into a more basic struggle — between those who want to embrace and those who resist the modern world.
“The fanatical, reactionary elements of the global terrorism, based on a false view of Islam, are in reality, a revolt against the modern world, its diversity, its mass culture, its belief in equality of race and gender, its openness.”
Mr Blair said the old battle between lefty socialism and right-wing capitalism was dead. Now the world faced the threat of isolationism, protectionism and nativism.
He slammed countries like France and Germany, which are wedded to outdated welfare states and refusing to face up to global competition.
They are turning their backs on free trade and investment in science and technology.
And they are wrongly trying to save jobs by stopping foreign workers coming in and blocking overseas companies from buying their firms (unlike Britain, which allows people all over the world to buy her companies). Mr Blair stressed that nations which bury their heads in the sand lose out — because they are battered by events and unable to do anything about it.
And the only route to economic success and a healthy society was to trigger an explosion in money-making ventures. He said: “The reason Europe has to change the social model is not because we no longer need social justice.
“It is because today’s world means social justice can only be achieved through education, not regulation, through enterprise flourishing and creating wealth, not being constrained.
“Countries can choose foreign policies that are engaged, seeking to sort out the world’s problems. Or they can try to avoid problems, refrain from controversy or picking sides — isolating a nation from the hurly burly of the world’s challenges but also from the opportunity to shape their outcome.”
Mr Blair insisted his brand of leadership meant ensuring Britain opens its doors to labour migration.
The PM warned against the perils of growing anti-American feelings across Europe.
He said: “It is foolish, short-sighted and ultimately very dangerous. The Transatlantic alliance between Europe and North America is of seminal importance.”
Mr Blair revealed he and President George Bush are to try and kickstart the failed world trade talks which collapsed last week.
He is determined to clinch a deal to open up trade to the third world and help African countries stand on their own feet.
And he insisted climate change was a massive problem facing the world which has to be tackled now — along with ways of securing energy for generations to come.
Mr Blair then claimed one of his legacies was that he has destroyed left versus right politics in Britain.
Parties are no longer divided down traditional lines, he said.
He dismissed attacks for going too far too fast in policy changes — saying he has not been radical enough.
Mr Blair added: “If it is correct that the challenge of rapid change is enormous, then the response has to be fundamental also.”
The PM will today fly to Los Angeles for talks with high tech firms in a bid to boost UK trade.
And he will back research into stem cell development which many hope will lead to the eradication of the world’s worst diseases.
thesun.co.uk