Tony Blair

[Braz]

Tony Blair is to give the Advanced Publishing Rights to a British Legion Charity that helps Wounded and Injured Service Personnel.

This sum is reputed to be in the region of £4.6million. Is this because he's feeling rather Guilty about something does anyone think? Braz

[Paul Hinge]

Perhaps a ting of GUILT!! Or his catholic upbringing at last catching up on him in the immortal life stakes!!!

Hingey

[jase hill]

Or its a genuinely generous gesture and gift to the most worthy of causes. Do we have to always find the negatives with everything. Its a selfless act that will benefit those in need. Enough said.

[Gwyn Nicholas]

I agree with Jase, why is it that no matter what good anyone does or trys to do in this country, there are always those who will look for a dark side. Granted it is usually the press. Whatever his reasons, that is a lot of dosh going to the guys and gals who need it and if it helps him to sleep better at night, well what the hell. He may even write a second volume and if that money goes to the same cause, I may very well buy a copy myself even though I dislike the guy for his premiership from start to finish..

[Paul Hinge]

Jase/Gwyn

I do agree with your sentiments vis-à-vis the money and it is a great deal going to a very worthy cause.
But call me cynical, with Blair there's always an ulterior motive no matter what his gestures might be!

Watch that space!

Hingey

[Gwyn Nicholas]

That makes my point exactly Hingey. The guy would have been slated if he kept the money and he is being slated for giving it away because of (as yet) unproven ulterior motives. His only option therefore was not to write the book in the first place and the money would not now be benefitting the people that need it. Anyone reading these headlines must think to themselves, is it really worth donating funds to worthy causes when all you get is slated and accused of ulterior motives or publicity seeking. The Iron lady gave nothing for the guys who went to the Falklands (as far as I am aware) when her Biography/Autobiographys were written and I dont recall anyone slating her for not making a finacial contribution. (please correct me if I am incorrect) The lads and lasses will benefit from the cash and that is well good enough for me.

[Paul Hinge]

I agree with you entirely Gwyn the money is very welcome. So why publicise what you’re going to do?
That's my point!
There has to be an ulterior motive or GUILT!

Hingey

[williams56]

i dont beleave tony blair wrote the book to give money away,all the same it is going to good cause if they get thewhole amount

[davidhuntley]

We all have our own opinion of Tony Blair, but , i think we all agree, good on him for giving the money to a most worthy cause. Let the tabloids crucify him,but let us applaud him.

[Gwyn Nicholas]

Of course he has his reasons/ulterior motive but, nobody gives anything away without reason or motive. When you give money to a charity or do someone a good turn it is not a totally selfless act. Yes it may be for a very good cause and it may be the main reason for giving but, the act of doing something for others gives you a sense of satisfaction that you have, in your own little way, helped to make a difference. I am not saying for one minute that that is your reason for giving or doing, but the gratification that comes with such an act (even subconsciously) is unavoidable. Of course that is only a feelgood factor and Blairs case differs in that his expectations will be higher. That said when did you last give away 4/5 Million quid to a worthy cause.

As for the publicity, well there is no such thing as "bad publicity" so they say and without it, I would have not known that the book existed, I would not have known about the money going towards the cause and therefore would not have even considered buying a book about the worst Prime Minister (in my view) that this country has produced in modern times. So the publicity works.