BarTalk
Will you be sorry to see Tony Blair go?
Nigel Oxford
Three Compasses
Hornsey
London
No. I thought he was a really insincere person right from the beginning - and he proved it when he lied over Iraq. I don't think he's done anything for the trade in the last 10 years. I suppose the smoking ban was inevitable, so he can't really be blamed for that. Licensing could have been a good thing, but the way it was handled ruined it. He's just an actor. With all those pauses in his speeches, he comes across as if he's full of strong beliefs, but I don't think he is.
John Ellis
Crown Inn
Oakengates
Shropshire
No - but I'd rather have Blair than Gordon Brown, whose budget will prove disastrous for the trade. It will badly affect people who are less well-off, which will hurt wet-led pubs' business. And I don't like the level of interference in the trade that he has created. The hassle associated with the new licensing laws was completely out of proportion to any gain - I think Tony Blair and his Government were completely responsible for that.
Steve Haslam
Cutter Inn
Ely
Cambridgeshire
You're talking to a true blue, so no, I won't be sorry to see the back of him. The smoking ban is farcical - there's not nearly enough organisation in place to support it and it's supposed to be a Government-led initiative. I think Gordon Brown won't be much better - he's a clever magician and his sleight of hand is extraordinary. I think it will soon be revealed that the economy is not in such a good state - there's been far too much spending.
Nigel Anstead
White Horse
Bedford
Bedfordshire
No - I think the country needs a change. Too much of one person is a bad thing. The smoking ban won't hit us too hard but I really feel for smaller, wet-led businesses with nowhere to put any shelters. I do think the licensing changes were a good idea - those extra few hours have really benefited my business.
Our popular Sunday night quiz used to come to an abrupt end at 10.30pm but now we go to 11.00pm. That makes a really big difference.
