Surviving the media can be a tougher job than surviving a war

A TALE of two leaders this week? Or, at least, a tale of what we might think of them.

It’s easy enough to keep tabs on what the British people think of Tony Blair. Opinions about him are regularly polled and the findings published frequently. The results are probably surprising, mind you, especially if you want to believe everything you read in the papers.

For example, the British polling company ICM regularly carries out surveys for organs like the BBC and the Guardian newspaper. One of the questions they ask frequently is about the British Prime Minster and the results are illuminating. For instance, between April and July, roughly the same number of people in Britain thought he had firm principles and was tough.