'I'm no dictator', says PM Blair

BBC
Jul. 04, 2006

Tony Blair has denied being a "dictatorial" prime minister, although he admitted that issues before the Cabinet are not put to the vote.

He says discussion does take place, but it is up to him as prime minister to have a "firm idea" of what he would do.

Mr Blair was appearing before the Commons liaison committee, which meets twice a year and is made up of the chairmen of Commons committees.

He also faced questions about counter terrorism and immigration.

Legislation 'exaggerated'

Asked about his style of leadership he said: "You are either accused of being dictatorial or you're accused of being weak ... and occasionally both at the same time."

Senior Liberal Democrat MP Alan Beith accused him of "exaggerating the value of legislation", while under-estimating the problems facing government.

Mr Blair has come under fire over the amount of legislation, over 50 government bills, that have come out of the Home Office during his nine years in power.

But Mr Blair said new legislation was needed to improve the criminal justice system.

"I am in profound disagreement with people who say it's systems management in the Home Office alone that's going to solve this," he said.

"It's not that legislation is the whole of the answer, but I really do disagree with people who say it's not a significant part of it."

Mr Blair is also likely to be pressed about migration and population policies and provide an update on Iraq and Afghanistan

The two-and-a-half hour session began at 0900 BST.