Sitting Prime Minister David Cameron took a quick shot at former Prime Minister Tony Blair, bluntly telling the U.K. media that the two were not personally close and could hardly be considered friends.
Mr. Cameron made the quip after Mr. Blair was about to donate a substantial amount of money to the Labour Party — and as the two met up for the first time in months, at a British consul general’s home in East Jerusalem to talk about the Middle East, The Telegraph reported.
He said, in response to a question about the leaders’ relationship, The Telegraph reported: “I wouldn’t say it is about friendship. We were very vigorous opponents. I remember facing him across the despatch box every Wednesday at Prime Minister’s Questions. We come from different political parties, [from] different political traditions and there are many things we disagreed about.”
But Mr. Cameron also went on to say that he “listen[s]” to Mr. Blair’s suggestions — just as he listens “to many people’s advice,” The Telegraph reported. The two reportedly speak by phone on a frequent basis about both domestic and foreign matters, and they find common ground especially on the “two-state solution” to the Israeli-Palestinian issue, Mr. Cameron said, the media outlet reported.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.