Dalyell: Blair's by far the worst PM

Published on Tuesday 29 March 2005 11:49

BRITAIN’S longest serving MP, Tam Dalyell, has branded Tony Blair "by far the worst" of the eight Prime Ministers he has known.

Linlithgow MP Mr Dalyell, who is also Father of the House, blamed Mr Blair’s presidential style for his verdict.

The Labour politician took his Commons seat 43 years ago when Winston Churchill was still an MP.

But the 72-year-old loathes the manner in which Mr Blair governs the country - attributing it to an over-large majority - the Prime Minister’s character and the PM’s lack of contact with Parliament.

During his career, Mr Dalyell has known eight Prime Ministers - Harold Macmillan, Alex Douglas-Home, Harold Wilson, Ted Heath, James Callaghan, Margaret Thatcher, John Major and Mr Blair.

When asked if he stands by his judgement that the current office holder is the worst of the group, Mr Dalyell answered: "No. He is by far the worst."

He criticised Mr Blair’s absence in the Commons during the passage of the recent anti-terrorism Bill as an example of his failings in the top job.

Mr Dalyell, who has held his West Lothian seat since 1962, will leave the House of Commons when the present parliament is dissolved.

He argues that Cabinet ministers previously had their own power bases which allowed them to stand up to Number Ten, but their positions are now less certain. "Gordon Brown is part of this duopoly," he added. "Can you name another Cabinet minister than him who is secure in their place?"