>Cutting off the funds post Sept. 11th may have speeded things up slightly, but not by enough for Blair to be so pro-Bush against the wishes of the people & parliament of this country & of his own party.

From the inside, what do you think Blair's motives are?

He has surprized me since historically he has always appeared to seek mass approval. Almost a bit of a poll junkie. Also he doesn't appear to be a very ideological labour leader. There have been several comments about how terrible he looks physically lately. Sunken eyes etc. The stress appears to be wearing on him.