Blair's standing 'never higher', says Clinton

Blair and Clinton maintain their friendship

"The best is yet to come" for the UK under the leadership of Tony Blair, former US President Bill Clinton claims in a glowing testimony to the prime minister.

Mr Clinton, who is set to give a key note speech at Labour's party conference later this month, says the prime minister's standing in America and Britain "has never been higher".

I also like Tony Blair the person very much

Bill Clinton

The friendship between the two men is so good, the pair like nothing better than meeting regularly with their families "to gossip and laugh" just as they did when Mr Clinton was in the White House, he says.

But the Democrat ex-president had harsh words for left-wingers who accuse Mr Blair of "being unprincipled".

"So many of the attacks on him have little to do with the man I know and the prime minister with whom I worked so closely," says Mr Clinton.

'Decent people'

In an article for Labour's conference magazine, the American tells of his love of Britain and how "honoured" he was to be asked to address the party's delegates.

The two families like to 'gossip and laugh', says Mr Clinton

He says while Britons "sometimes paint a pretty gloomy picture of yourselves", by putting successes down to luck, they were perceived as "warm, tolerant, decent people".

"Britain is making a notable transition into the 21st century - in no small measure because of the leadership of my friend and your party leader, Prime Minister Tony Blair," says Mr Clinton.

"Political leaders around the world recognise the political talents and personal appeal of someone who led your party after years of opposition to not just one, but two landslide victories and who has already achieved so much change for good."

'Strange' critics

Mr Clinton emphasises his warm relationship with the prime minister.

"I also like Tony Blair the person very much. We have kept our friendship, after I left the presidency.

"The fact that Tony and I continue to talk about foreign policy, education and other issues dear to our hearts, to meet regularly with Cherie and Hillary and our families to gossip and laugh just as we did when I was in the White House shows Tony Blair is about more than politics."

His standing in America - and the standing of Britain - has never been higher

Bill Clinton

Mr Clinton admits that Mr Blair has "plenty of critics".

"I'd expect these attacks from the Right. They hate not being in power.

"What I find strange is that some on the Left join in with a relish, since Tony Blair is, after all, a successful Labour prime minister leading a successful, progressive, Labour government tackling successfully problems which drew all of us on the centre-left into politics.

"It's true that he's not gone back to the old and failed politics, but instead has made his party and the country face up to change. That's a good thing, not a bad thing."

Political risks

The ex-president says Mr Blair's commitment to dealing with ethnic cleansing and genocide in Kosovo "was vital".

The prime minister took "enormous political risks and put in tremendous efforts" to the Northern Ireland peace process.

"Many people have taken great personal and political risks to help break the deadlock. But it could not have happened without Tony Blair," said Mr Clinton.

Mr Blair has a 'good personal relationship' with Mr Bush

After the 11 September attacks, "Tony Blair did not hesitate for a moment".

"He saw a friend who needed help and support ...

"His standing in America - and the standing of Britain - has never been higher."

Mr Clinton praised the "good personal relationship" between Mr Blair and President George Bush.

"Britain's position as our closest ally and as a bridge with Europe makes this vital for peace, prosperity and security across the world," he said.

"I know too that the prime minister's judgement and advice is respected by the new US government just as it was when I was in the White House."

Leaders matter, said Mr Clinton. "And in Tony Blair, Britain and this party have a fine leader.

"Now more than five years into the job, with a body of experience and achievement and the same optimistic outlook that he had on day one, I believe that for Tony and for Britain, the best is yet to come."