BLAIR LISTENED BUT DID NOT HEAR THE VIEWS OF THE PUBLIC

4.23.09pm GMT Tue 13th Jan 2004

Commenting on the first ever radio talk show hosted by a current serving Prime Minister, Liberal Democrat London Mayoral candidate Simon Hughes MP said:-

"Tony Blair says this was part of a listening exercise. Yet when it came to the fundamental issues of war in Iraq and tuition fees, the Prime Minister listened but did not hear the views of the callers.

"The Prime Minister's interesting hour on LBC suggested that people elected rarely get the chance to talk to the public on a regular basis. No wonder the Prime Minister is in trouble. If this programme says anything, it is that Mr Blair needs to spend more time listening to the concerns of the public rather than talking to officials.

"Following his performance as a radio chat show host, I am not surprised that he still has no intention of giving up his day job."

ENDS