LABOUR IN BLACKPOOL: Blair beats windy trap for grand air tour
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Labour leader, Tony Blair, left Blackpool yesterday for a helicopter tour of the constituencies the party needs to win for an election victory. He covered territory across England, from Bury, in Lancashire, to the home of Essex man in Harlow.
It was also something of a procession through the ages. There were primary school children in Bury; college students in Telford, Shropshire; there was a veteran, former Labour ward secretary in a wheelchair in Northampton's shopping centre, and there was a range of Labour supporters in Harlow,from one newborn baby to long-suffering party supporters.
But it had all nearly begun in tears. Mr Blair's press officer, Hilary Coffman, had gone to inspect the helipad on the North Pier where the tour was set to begin, only to see waves leaping skywards and gusts of wind fit to blow a Labour leader horizontal.
The image of Mr Blair being engulfed in grey sea, prompting yet another Labour leadership election, was enough for Special Branch to advise a rethink. So instead, Mr Blair was driven off to Blackpool Airport - then swooping up and over the town, leaving the rain behind, he was flown into beautiful sunshine and over some of England's most glorious countryside in public relations safety.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments