Tony Blair today admitted that when he came to office he "liked to be liked". But 10 years on, his enthusiasm for public approval has diminished.
Misquoting former US president Abraham Lincoln and reggae legend Bob Marley, the prime minister said experience had taught him that you can't please all of the people all of the time.
He admitted there was some truth in the assertion that in the early years of his premiership he craved approval too much. But popularity no longer governs his decision making, Mr Blair said, as he discussed his legacy with John Humphrys on Radio 4's Today programme this morning.
"In fact, sometimes I think it would be a good idea if I could please some of the people some of the time."
Bending with the wind isn't his idea of leadership, he said. The difficult moments have come when he took the easy option or felt he had made the wrong decision. But which decision does he have in mind?
