Blair backs ‘tough and decent’ Woolas

HONOUR . . . Osman Caka meets Tony Blair

TONY Blair returned to campaigning in Oldham in a bid to give Labour an election boost.

The former prime minister told supporters at Denshaw’s Ram’s Head yesterday that the final two days of the campaign trail are vital in convincing voters the party’s policies are best for the country.

Polls show Labour is struggling to stay in power but Mr Blair insisted many people remain undecided and Labour offers the best chance of securing the economic recovery.

Asked by the Evening Chronicle if he was fearful for Labour at Thursday’s election, the ex-leader answered defiantly: “I’m never fearful, it’s not in my personality.”

But he acknowledged: “We have a tough fight on our hands. It’s very tight and everything’s to play for.”

Labour ministers have called for tactical voting in areas they can’t win to keep the Tories out. But Mr Blair dismissed the notion, urging people to “vote for who you believe in”.

Mr Blair, now the Middle East envoy for the US, Russia, the UN and the EU, said that if people compared Lib-Dem and Labour policies he was confident they would back Labour.

His successor Gordon Brown made the right decisions two years ago, when the country was teetering on the brink economically, to leave Britain well placed to recover from the recession, he said.

He added: “The most important thing is we refocus people back on the economy and policies. People will realise it’s about serious decision making. It’s the policies that count. That determines whether the country comes out of recession or not.”

He said he had missed campaigning, adding: “I’m really enjoying it but I’m a bit out of practice. It’s great to go around meeting people. It gives me a lot of heart as I think Labour is doing the right things for them.”

Mr Blair’s comments came after he held a breakfast meeting at the Ripponden Road pub with 30 local business representatives, from firms including Wiggett Construction, Inclusive Technology, Dronsfield Mercedes, Oldham Athletic, Trust Oldham IT technology company, John Saxon Construction and Patterson and Rothwell.

Labour candidate for Oldham East and Saddleworth, Phil Woolas, introduced him as “my political hero and the greatest Prime Minister”, adding: “We have very strong support from the business community.”

Mr Blair said: “It’s a particular pleasure to give Phil my full support. He was a great colleague to work with in the cabinet and one of the toughest and most decent guys I know. I have been campaigning for people who I have worked with in Government, like Phil Woolas, who are fantastic local MPs and have been great in Government.”

The businessmen raised issues including a lack of bank lending and the effect the economic crisis in Greece could have on Britain.

Oldham Athletic chief executive Alan Hardy tackled him about the unfair distribution of football wealth between the Premier League and Football League. Mr Hardy said: “It was a wonderful opportunity to be able to speak to a former Prime Minister, a man who still holds a lot of influence at government level.

“He realises that clubs like Oldham Athletic play an important part in the community and we don’t want to lose any local clubs.”

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Catch up with the candidates at www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk/news-features/elections/

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Ex-PM touched by statue plan

Kosovan refugee Osman Caka left Mr Blair touched when he told him about his plans to raise £30,000 to build a statue of the former Prime Minister in Kosovo to honour his intervention during the Balkan war.

Mr Caka and his family were among a group of refugees who arrived in Oldham in 1999 after fleeing the Serbian province and were given hot food, new clothing and somewhere to sleep. His son Ilir was killed by Serbian troops.

Mr Caka has previously raised money to create a statue of Mother Theresa of Calcutta at Gorton monastery and to thank Oldhamers for supporting him during his time in need.