So what do you think of Mr Blair?: As the Labour conference ends Glenda Cooper asks the question

Glenda Cooper
Friday 07 October 1994 23:02 BST
Comments

Alice Thomas Ellis, author:'I remember the old days at Transport House - all whiskers and long shorts and high ideals. I don't recognise the old Labour Party at all. They're dropping socialism, so what are they going to do now? They're just trying to get elected.'

Sir Jimmy Savile: 'I have never voted in my life, but he looks as if he would make a good disc jockey.'

Auberon Waugh, columnist: 'I think he is very, very beautiful, ravishingly attractive and if there was an election everyone in the country from the middle classes would vote for him immediately. But he may have peaked too soon and become a total joke by the next election.'

David Gower, former England cricketer: 'Whatever Tony Blair is trying to do to alter his party's appeal to attract a wider section of voters he's unlikely to make any difference to me.'

Sir Bernard Ingham, former Thatcher press secretary: 'I think it's all glamour at the moment with Blair rather than substance. I don't know whether the Labour Party's changed and we won't know if they've changed until they've been elected in and that might be a bit late.'

Max Clifford, PR agent: 'I like him. 'Potential' is the word that comes to mind. I think he should be as optimistic as he can - he comes across as honest - rarely for a politician. We need someone we can actually believe.'

Yve Newbold, company secretary of Hanson plc: 'The fact that Blair is willing to abolish the anachronistic Clause IV will be welcomed by anyone in the free market. Labour can form a policy based on the extent it would regulate and tax business.'

Albert Roux, chef: 'I think he is a breath of fresh air] It's a shame he belongs to the wrong party.'

Jim Bowen, comedian: 'Tony Blair? Who's he?'

(Photograph omitted)

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