What are the main achievements and plus points of the Blair government?

Question

The Best Answer will go to the most intelligent and informative response, not a silly answer with only a couple of words.

Answer 1

Northern Ireland Peace Process.

Massive increase in NHS funding: more doctors and nurses, waiting lists well down, started to increase numbers of NHS dentists.

Extra funding for education: Infant class sizes under 30.

Stared to sort out the mess caused by Rail privatisation.

Free eye tests for OAPs and free bus travel.

Working Families Tax Credits and Child Tax Credits.

Allowed Councils to start building Council houses again.

Banned hunting with packs of hounds.

Independence for the Bank of England to set interest rates.

A stable economy and low interest rates.

Devolution.

The Minimum Wage.

Lower levels of unemployment.

Answer 2

The Blair government's most important achievement has surely been in getting rid of the Loony Left image that previously blighted Labour, and so effectively bringing a degree of unity between those who previously always voted Tory and those referred to as "the working class". Tony Benn, who used to be the principal icon of Labour Party activists described it as "a coalition government" rather as if Labour and Conservative had joined forces! That is precisley what has booted the Tories out of the reckoning over the past ten years since the disastrous government of John Major fell. Tony Blair is today very unpopular. But so have almost all prime Ministers been when they have been in power for a certain time, whatever Party was in government.

The big question is whether Labour can regain power again at the next Election after Blair has gone. My belief is the answer to that question is "NO", and Blair's biggest plus point will be seen in future years as keeping Labour in power by his charisma and debating skills, when nobody else could have - not even Gordon Brown? My belief is when Gordon has taken over as leader, the saying will be "Come back Tony all is forgiven">

Answer 3

If you had asked for negative points, I could have written you a book.

Let me dispel one myth which is usually put out as a positive, that is, the supposed Independence of the BOE in setting interest rates. It is the Government that sets the inflation target, and they have chosen the lowest possible target, the one that excludes many key items. The RPI is much more representative and is running at a much higher level than the chosen measure, and is also the measure that is chosen as a basis for wage rises. Now, in setting rates, the BOE are charged with the responsibility to keep inflation below the governments target level. So, indirectly, it is still the Government that is controlling interest rates. There is another very important factor to be taken into account, the Chancellor, has to approve the appointment of all the members of the BOE committee charged with the responsibility for setting rates. How independant is that?

House prices, and increased public sector expenditure, which hits us through higher taxation, completely misses all the measures of inflation. But it is still a cost to us.

Another one is the minimum wage. What is the point of a minimum wage when you invite hundreds of thousands of immigrants into the country, amongst other social engineering reasons, to try try to lower wage costs. What a contradiction. In any event the market should be left to determine rates.

Answer 4

I do not believe it is possible to accredit the Blair government with much success whatsoever.
The majority of successes were from Tory instigated plans started long before Blair.
This is a short answer, what can be said thats constructive? He didn't keep a single election promise, Brown has screwed the NHS, not to mention pensioners, given up the rebate = screwed the farmers, Chorus Steel anyone???
Do you know what, its the wk'nd, (breathe,Lol) does get me a little excited this topic. Look forward to seeing your replies.

Answer 5

Having the sense to open diplomatic talks with the IRA instead of Thatchers negative stance. Other than that absolutely nothing! I'm working class and definately poorer under this government. This government has failed us all big style! The Tories were even worse. It's time to give Lib Dems a go as i baffled where to go from here.

Answer 6

His biggest achievement is destroying private and company pension schemes and leaving people who have paid into these schemes without enough funds for life after work.

Destroying the NHS, and removing bed spaces so the sick cannot often get into hospital and are left in hospital corridors to die, not providing properer health care

Declaring war on Iraq knowing the consequences

And on and on and on etc etc etc etc

ATB Red

Answer 7

The best achievement of the Blair government is the suppression of terrorism in United Kingdom.

Answer 8

Minimum wage. B of England controlling interest rates. Massive investment in education and the NHS (after 18 years of Tory starvation). Tax Credits. Ok, so we still don't live in Utopia and for every good thing there's probably a bad/crazy thing, but these are, nonetheless, good points :)

Answer 9

Lifting lots of families with children out of poverty with family tax credits. Changing the perception of Labour - i.e. the modern labour is a far cry from the labour government when I was a child. Although we hear endless stories of doom and gloom re education and health service, I do see a lot of new schools, academies, colleges and doctors surgeries being built or refurbished. I also have to say that everytime I have ever needed medical treatment, xray etc I have been seen quicker than I could have using my private health cover. Fighting terrosism.

Answer 10

i'm afraid i can't think of any. those who think they are protecting us from "the terrorist threat" have not taken the time to think about who created the threat in the first place. Unfortunatly the man is all image and no substance. they have kept none of their promises.