SO WHO WOULD YOU TRUST?
A manic burnt-out Blair preaching doom, or a rejuvenated Theresa May in touch with the people and urging unity...
BODY language – it goes a long way in politics.
A quick look at these pictures illustrates all you need to know about the gulf in approaches to winning over the public.
As Tony Blair grimaces in a suit while spreading gloom about Brexit, Theresa May was a paragon of warmth and positivity – meeting young parents in Newcastle and textile workers in Ayrshire.
Her lightning tour of the four countries of the UK – timed to coincide with one year until Britain leaves the EU – aims to rally support ahead of our departure on March 29, 2019.
Former Labour leader Mr Blair, on the other hand, spoke in London about how the decision to cut ties with Brussels was a disaster.
With a rictus grin, he told academics at a conference called The UK in a Changing Europe how he could foresee the PM’s departure deal being defeated – and Britain forced to hold another referendum.
Mrs May kicked off her whistle-stop UK tour with a visit to the Alex Begg textile factory in Ayr. She announced the Government would soon begin work on a new ‘growth deal’ for Ayrshire, aimed at bolstering the region’s economy.
She then attended a mother and toddler group in Newcastle before having lunch with farmers in Bangor, County Down.
Next was a round-table discussion with businesses in South Wales, before completing her tour in west London with Poles who have made the UK their home.