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Technorati“In particular, I would warmly commend his efforts in securing peace in Northern Ireland and his constant concern for the eradication of poverty in Africa.”
The moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Rt Rev Dr Alan McDonald, also said Blair's efforts in Northern Ireland should be a particular source of pride.
“Tony Blair’s achievement in leading the United Kingdom for ten years is remarkable,” he stated.
Though McDonald noted there were “matters of great regret” including “the ever-widening gap between rich and poor, the attachment to American foreign policy, and the decision in favor of a new generation of nuclear weapons,” the church moderator said he would rather “concentrate on positives."
“The provision of undreamt of resources for education and the health service, and the speed with which the promise of devolved government was delivered in Scotland and Wales, should be a source of pride for him,” McDonald commented.
"Above all, history should remember him for the peace process in Northern Ireland.”
Blair's June 27 departure means the mantle will likely pass to Britain’s treasury chief, Gordon Brown, whom Blair has formally endorsed to be prime minister. Brown, who faces no serious opposition after waiting more than a decade for his chance to lead the country, launched his campaign to become Britain's next prime minister on Friday, pledging to learn from the mistakes of the Iraq while honoring "our obligations to the Iraqi people."
It remains to be seen how close Brown and U.S. President George W. Bush will be.
Christian Post reporter Eric Young in Washington contributed to this report.
