Queen not amused over Blair's legacy for Britain

[JODO 2]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070527/ts_af...CjEwMta1SNvaA8F

Queen not amused over Blair's legacy for Britain

Sat May 26, 10:23 PM ET

Prime Minister Tony Blair, who steps down in a month after 10 years in power, is leaving a legacy for Britain that has "exasperated and frustrated" Queen Elizabeth II, a newspaper reported Sunday.

The queen is worried that London's close ties with Washington have come at the Commonwealth's expense and that British troops might have become "overstretched" in Iraq and Afghanistan, The Sunday Telegraph said.

The newspaper, citing her friends and confidantes, said the 81-year-old monarch is especially concerned that the nation has become divided over some New Labour policies, such as the ban on fox hunting and hare coursing.

"The queen has been left exasperated and frustrated by change for change's sake," one of her friends was quoted as saying. "Her style is to report back to the prime minister the concerns that she has picked up on her travels."

Under the constitutional monarchy, the queen, who meets with the prime minister on a weekly basis at Buckingham Palace, has the right to be consulted, to encourage and to warn, the newspaper recalled.

The queen, who has ruled for 55 years and worked with 10 prime ministers, is the head of state, head of the Commonwealth -- which groups former British colonies -- and head of the armed forces.

However, royal insiders insist that the queen and Blair share no personal animosity and enjoy a good working relationship, adding that she particularly respects him for his work for peace in Northern Ireland.

The newspaper said the queen's closest aides and friends did not know what her personal views are toward's Blair's decision to have Britain join the US-led invasion of Iraq in March 2003.

It said most of those interviewed spoke on the condition that they would not be named.

However, John Daw, an influential farmer, recalled telling the queen in May 2002, following the nationwide crisis over foot and mouth disease, that he doubted whether Blair and his government understood the countryside.

He told the newspaper that the queen surprised him with her reply: "I know. I tell him that every week when I see him."

The newspaper said Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the relationship between the queen and the prime minister.

Edited May 27, 2007 by JODO

[ChristinaM 0]

However, John Daw, an influential farmer, recalled telling the queen in May 2002, following the nationwide crisis over foot and mouth disease, that he doubted whether Blair and his government understood the countryside.

He told the newspaper that the queen surprised him with her reply: "I know. I tell him that every week when I see him."

Coming from a rural county, that's no surprise at all. Sometimes I think he barely understands the country as a whole, much less the countryside....

[homesick_american 1]

This is so surprising that I think it's probably not true. The Queen normally does not comment publicly or express opinions like this.

[fozzie 41]

This is so surprising that I think it's probably not true. The Queen normally does not comment publicly or express opinions like this.

She hasn't said anything of the sort publicly! Its all hearsay from secondary sources who refuse to be named. The article never quoted the queen.

[homesick_american 1]

This is so surprising that I think it's probably not true. The Queen normally does not comment publicly or express opinions like this.

She hasn't said anything of the sort publicly! Its all hearsay from secondary sources who refuse to be named. The article never quoted the queen.

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say it's B.S.

[JoeMama 0]

I just picture her doing this upon hearing this comment:

Piss off to that rumor!

Edited May 28, 2007 by JoeMama

[homesick_american 1]

I just picture her doing this upon hearing this comment:

Piss off to that rumor!

I prefer this one:

[JoeMama 0]

I prefer this one:

You certainly picked a winner HA! I'll go with your photo!