HIGHLEAT, Saturday. Wearing a quilted velvet smoking jacket and holding a meerschaum pipe, Britain's former Prime Minister announced plans to embark on a new career as a hot gospel preacher.
Since leaving office Mr Blair's speaking engagements, though lucrative and in exotic locations, have not provided the scope for his talents that Bible-bashing God-bothering religious revivalism offers. Mr Blair spoke feelingly and at length of the roar of the crowds and evoked the memorably photogenic qualities of wet T-shirts after full-immersion baptism.
Big-Tent Fascism has always held fascination for Britain's politicians, as has politics for America's Big-Tent Fascists.
Mr Blair's future plans are also understood to include a university.