How do Brits feel about this idea of Blair being

[malaise]

the Middle East Envoy? Won't he be in the way for the incoming PM?

[Hubert Flottz]

1. He belongs in jail for war crimes...

He slept with Nazis!

[malaise]

2. We both know that

I'd love him in the Hague prison.

Sp.

[Kutjara]

3. Once a poodle, always a poodle.

I've never liked Phony Tony, but I never considered him an idiot. If he takes this role, he will prove forevermore that he is indeed a fool. Just when his legacy has hit rock bottom, he breaks out a shovel and starts digging. What a rube.

[muriel_volestrangler]

4. Middle East envoy would be out of the way

Bad news for the Middle East, but it would keep Blair out of British politics, by and large. The alternatives (Blair as EU president, Blair leading a 'faith foundation', which would no doubt try to insert more religion in education and politics) are worse, for Britain.

The job he's being offered is one the last holder, James Wolfensohn (ex head of the World Bank) resigned from:

Wolfensohn, who had frequently complained of being "disenfranchised" in his Gaza role and threatened to quit, left with a warning that the West should not consider trying to starve the Hamas-led Palestinians into submission. "I don't think anyone in the quartet believes that to be the policy - although, sometimes, it is made to appear that that is what it is," he said. "I think that's a losing gambit."

http://globalpolicy.igc.org/security/issues/israel-palestine/2006/0503quartet.htm

I don't think Brown has any intention of doing anything particular in the Middle East (ie Israel/Palestine area, which is what this is about - Iraq isn't included, directly, anyway).

[dipsydoodle]

5. I'd feel a whole lot better

if they made him a traffic calming bump on a busy road.