With rumours brewing that Tony Blair will quit the UK when he stands down as PM and take up the presidency of the World Bank in Washington, the outgoing prime minister seems to be abandoning the patriotism that led him to call Britain "the greatest nation on earth" last week.
Confronted with the claim, at the end of his two-day trip to the US, that it was impossible to buy a good cup of tea in London any more, Mr Blair replied: "I fear you may be right. This is a British tradition that must not be lost. If I were running for office again, I'd make it a major part of my platform."
According to the Press Association, the prime minister then detailed his requirements for a good cuppa: "It's got to be properly strong. It's got to have the right colour. The trouble is, not many people do it like that."
A quick survey of London cafes did not turn up much support for the prime minister's view.
James Davie, a waiter at the Quality Chop House on Farringdon Road, said: "He's just falling for nostalgia. We do a good cup of tea."
The secret was "timing", he said, adding: "A well-made cup hits all the right places."
But there was another element to the perfect brew which might have been overlooked: "It's all about the company you keep. Maybe he's been sharing too many cups of tea with Gordon."
John Malekides of the Royal Cafe on Rosebery Avenue, was positively scathing about Mr Blair's suggestion. "He doesn't know what he's talking about. Ask him why you can't get a good prime minister," he said.
He rattled off a quick guide to making a great cuppa: "Put your hot water in the pot, swirl it round, put your tea leaves in, then pour it out and serve it straight away. Tell him to come in here."
Having stirred up trouble with Londoners, Mr Blair went on to land himself in hot water on the continent.
"I drink coffee when I'm in mainland Europe," he said, "because they just can't make a cup of tea."
