Naked Blair at centre of art show

I have to confess I don't quite understand the strength of animosity towards Tony Blair in this country. He has made some unpopular decisions, but lots of politicians do. That's part of their job, after all.

Perhaps it is because expectations were impossibly high when he swept into office. He himself said as much in his resignation speech. Perhaps it is because he used the media to such great effect in opposition, and the legacy of that, the 'spin' and the aggressive media tactics, have taken their revenge.

Or perhaps it is because he professes to be a Christian. He has been the subject of many jokes about his faith. But when it comes to Iraq, and the comments he has made about answering ultimately to God, the jokes turn sour. One of the most common themes in the press at the moment is that he has a 'Messiah complex', as evidenced by his current world tour. (I think the tour is much less sinister - getting out of the way for the expected Labour leadership election.)

I wonder if he wouldn't be hated so much if he had been less open about his faith. That is, I suppose, one of the costs of being a public figure and a believer at the same time.