Blair's 'Big Conversation' turns into a huge disaster

TONY BLAIR'S attempt to censor a Labour Party survey to find out what people think of him has backfired with a deluge of e-mails that can be seen on the internet.

The Prime Minister launched a polling campaign called Big Conversation in December in response to claims that he had lost touch with public opinion.

Voters were invited to send their views, though they are censored before being posted on Labour's website, to bigconversation.org.

But the move has blown up in his face after thousands of people sent their views to an almost identically named website, thebigconversation.org, set up by businessman Jamie Roy two years ago.

The messages on the Labour Party site are full of praise for Mr Blair. Kathy of Cheshire says: 'I have supported this Government through thick and thin - I agree with 95 per cent of its policies.'

Ron of Nantwich declares: 'I now feel there is a Labour leader I can totally identify with. His name is Tony Blair.'

But a far less flattering picture emerges on Mr Roy's website.

IT consultant K.T. from Swindon says: 'Tony, are you illiterate? After seven years as Prime Minister, you are worse than ever at making a speech.'

D.M. says: 'The Hutton report was a whitewash for a Prime Minister who is a traitor to Britain. He is more in line with George W***** Bush than his own country.'

J.S. says: 'I have two sons who will be at university next year. Holidays, new clothes are out of the question. All we earn is going to support them. I was assured top-up fees would not happen. You have betrayed your supporters and gone where not even Maggie Thatcher would have dared.'

M.J. of Kent comments: 'Why the bloody hell should I have to pay more tax? I don't agree with my hard-earned money being spent to support illegal immigrants, work shy lazy gits and MPs' pay rises.'

Engineer T.S. says: 'Dictator Blair should offer a referendum on the EU constitution or take up residence in his beloved Euroland.'

R.W. of London says: 'The Labour Government should not pretend it is interested in we voters. The people express their opposition clearly and the Great Leader proceeds regardless.'

Entrepreneur Mr Roy says he plans to sue the Government for wrecking his business.

It was paying him to carry out NHS research, but suddenly cancelled plans to expand the project. A year later, Mr Blair launched his Big Conversation, passing it off as a Labour initiative.

Mr Roy told The Mail on Sunday: 'The Labour Party hijacked our idea and has tried to bully us out of complaining. Their prject is a Big Con because they censor people's views. We are happy to publish all replies sent to us in error. It serves the Labour Party right for their shocking arrogance. They have cost me a fortune.'

By Simon Walters, Political Editor.
© 2004 The Mail on Sunday