WILL you be sorry to see Tony Blair resign?

With the media full of speculation as to when the prime minister might announce a timetable for his departure, that's the question we asked people in West Somerset.

We have got used to ten years of Mr Blair at Number 10.

Whether we have liked it or not, without him politics will feel very different.

But do the people of West Somerset, 180 miles and a world away from Westminster, care?

Judging by the response to our vox pop this week, they do.

And it seems most won't be sorry to see him go, citing Iraq, and the NHS as Mr Blair's greatest failures.

Sandie Hornby, of Watchet, said: "I'll be very happy to see him go. I am an ex-civil servant and I had to leave because of what he's done to the Civil Service.

"I was an RAF telegraphist and national pride was high on my agenda. But there have been too many changes and I think national pride has lessened."

Richard Holland, of Minehead, a driver for community bus service At West, said: "I will be sorry to see him go.

"Tony Blair has changed the National Health Service for the better.

"After the Thatcher years, which seemed to be all about me, me, me, he has done a tremendous job in making everyone recognize that politics should be about the weak and the vulnerable."

Praising the Chancellor, he said: "Gordon Browne has made us all better off."

David Willett , of Minehead, said: "The Blair government has raided my pension and made me worse off.

"Apart from that, Mr Blair seems to have done little for the country except take us to war on false pretences - and smile."

Single mum Nichola Sellstrom, of Minehead, said: "I think he has made things worse.

"I've got a sister who works in the NHS and it's in a mess.

"I think nurses should get paid more than professional footballers.

"The cost of living has gone up making it very difficult for people like me."

Heather Thompson, of Minehead, said: "He said he would abolish the poll tax, but he didn't.

"The war in Iraq was dreadful, and the situation there is still bad."

Steve Fitzgerald, of Williton, said: "I don't think Mr Blair has accomplished much.

"He said he would sort out the NHS, but it's still in a mess."

Mrs Liz Alder, of Williton, said: "We've been waiting ten years to see the back of Tony Blair."

Husband Eric said: "I can't see Gordon Browne will be much of an improvement."

See tomorrow's County Gazette for pictures.

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