Tony Blair is working right up to the last minute. Some FT colleagues and I went to see him earlier this week, for top-secret discussions about the future of Europe. But just as interesting as the off-the-record stuff (I thought), was what Blair had to say about the Oscar-winning film, “The Queen” – which portrays Blair and the Queen, dealing with the aftermath of the death of Princess Diana.
“I haven’t seen it” he said firmly, “and the Queen hasn’t either” Perhaps you should arrange a joint showing?, I suggested. “How about next Wednesday?”, his press secretary chimed in. I thought Blair winced slightly at this. Next Wednesday is the day that he goes to Buckingham Palace to resign.
Meanwhile, in news of other world leaders: this week I came across somebody who had recently met Kim Jong Il, the dictator of North Korea. I asked whether Kim was obviously crazy. Apparently not – he is alert and a good conversationalist. My informant claimed to have met American officials who seemed madder.
But surely, I pressed, Kim is incredibly isolated and ill-informed about the world. Again, my informant disagreed: “He knows a lot. He spends all day glued to the internet.” An odd thought. Maybe he is, in fact, "Chen" who seems to post quite a lot of comments on my blog. If so, Mr Kim/Chen, may I appeal to you – in the interests of world peace – to give up your nuclear weapons? You know it makes sense.
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