Comic relief from David Lammy

Readers of this month's BBC History Magazine (not online) will doubtless read with a certain astonishment the thoughts of British Culture Minister David Lammy on the subject of Blair's apology for Britain's role in the slave trade:

'In highlighting slavery in the way he did the Prime Minister struck the right tone and showed tremendous courage. He showed leadership but more importantly enabled us to move on. I feel very strongly that he follows in the tradition of Nelson Mandela who talked about peace and reconciliation.'

'Peace' and 'reconciliation' are perhaps not the first words which spring to mind whenever one thinks of Blair. Still, at least comparing Blair to Nelson Mandela shows a certain level of original thinking from a Blairite which has to be congratulated I suppose. And after all, the only real difference is that Mandela began his political career being regarded as a terrorist only to be eventually recognised as a freedom fighter - while Blair chose to do things the other way around. Only a minor difference though, ain't it David?

Still, it is hard to work out whether this is any more or less remarkable than Gordon Brown's claim that his coming reign of terror/power will follow in the tradition of Mahatma Gandhi. One quote from Gandhi may serve Brown well when it comes to drumming up support for the 'war on terror': 'What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans, and the homeless, whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or the holy name of liberty and democracy?' Or perhaps Gordon will prudently put that particular quote away for safe keeping...