Unfortunately, this doesn't mean that we'll have someone effectively the same as Blair just with a different name, as many would suggest, but more that we'll have a crazy right-wing Tory government that got in under false pretences.

I don't think the Conservative party is right wing anymore, all the parties are so close to the middle that it barely matters who is in power nowadays.

I don't know. I think for most of us, life will probably amble on just the same. I wouldn't want to be an immigrant though, I bet Tory crackdowns will be severe.

talk about Blair, what did you think about his "black culture" statements?

So what was the general feeling about Blair in the UK? Was he really the polarizing figure he was oftentimes portrayed to be?

I think a lot of democracies are balancing on a knife edge at the moment, including here in Oz. People are beginning to react against powermongering leaders and paying more attention to the bigger picture (such as the environment), yet at the same time there is a sentiment of frustration against liberal ideals that pander towards those "funny foreigners" who are causing so many percieved problems; leading toward a more right-wing attitude.

As for Blair, it is unfortunate he decided to take the path that he did. I always saw him as having enormous potential to make real positive changes.

Blair made life for the poor better, but screwed the country on pretty much everything else. I'm sorry to see him go only because of fear of what'll come after.

Why the worry about the Conservatives? A lot of Labour policies were old Conservative policies anyway, just repackaged slightly. People have short memories, we had a Conservative government for a long time before Blair came in, and despite what people say, they really weren't too awful, and they at least had some kind of consistency in their policies. Of course now they don't really have much focus, they just spout junk about the environment like everyone else does, but I think it's time for a change anyway.

If Blair's decision on Iraq is what really caused his downfall then I have to give credit to you Brits, as America's fearless leader during that fateful decision obviously still remains.

Downfall?! The fella resigned of his own free will. People may have voted more for others, but Labour's still got a government majority, although from the way the local Council elections went that won't be for very long...