--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But let's be clear. We're talking about a…" description: "\"But let's be clear. We're talking about a country where there's no opposition. As leader he can ignore Parliament and - sorry that's Tony Blair isn't i..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/229/rory-bremner-9411_am-sorry_but-let-s-be-clear-we-re-talking-about-a_2871013.jpg" --- # But let's be clear. We're talking about a country where… ![“But let's be clear. We're talking about a country where there's no opposition. As leader he can ignore Parliament and - sorry that's Tony Blair isn't it? Um, so he doesn't even have to ask the country before he goes to war - sorry that's still Tony Blair.” quote by Rory Bremner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/229/rory-bremner-9411_am-sorry_but-let-s-be-clear-we-re-talking-about-a_2871013.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/229/rory-bremner-9411_am-sorry_but-let-s-be-clear-we-re-talking-about-a_2871013.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/229/rory-bremner-9411_am-sorry_but-let-s-be-clear-we-re-talking-about-a_2871013.jpg) > “But let's be clear. We're talking about a country where there's no opposition. As leader he can ignore Parliament and - sorry that's Tony Blair isn't it? Um, so he doesn't even have to ask the country before he goes to war - sorry that's still Tony Blair.” [Rory Bremner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-bremner/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A satirical take on political power, highlighting how leaders can bypass democratic processes, using Tony Blair as a caricature. **In simple terms:** Leaders may ignore opposition and act unilaterally. Key Takeaway Question authority and demand accountability. Themes politics power democracy satire leadership Mood critical ironic provocative Type satirical political commentary When to use this quote - voting - public debate - civic education - journalistic scrutiny - peaceful protest Key Concepts authoritarianism political critique media influence Questions to Reflect On - How does satire influence public perception of leaders? - What mechanisms ensure leaders remain answerable? A Different Perspective Humor may oversimplify complex political realities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Am sorry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/am-sorry/) [Blair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blair/) [Blair Isn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blair-isn-3926767/) [Clear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clear/) [Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) [Country Opposition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country-opposition-3926766/) [I am sorry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-am-sorry/) [Ignore Parliament](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ignore-parliament-3926765/) [Leader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leader/) [Leader Ignore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leader-ignore-1464177/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) [Opposition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opposition/) [Parliament](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parliament/) [Sorry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sorry/) [Stills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stills/) [Talking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/talking/) [Tony blair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tony-blair/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) ## Related quotes > [If Parliament is voting overwhelmingly against leaving the European Union without a deal but is voting in favour of a softer Brexit, then I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-gauke/if-parliament-is-voting-overwhelmingly-against-leaving-the-european/) [David Gauke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-gauke/) > [When you're a leader, you cannot ignore parts of your constituency, even if you know they're not going to vote for you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-ellison/when-you-re-a-leader-you-cannot-ignore-parts-of-your-constituency/) [Keith Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-ellison/) > [Tony Blair has always said he will be judged by history. Now Alastair Campbell is history we await his judgment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-bremner/tony-blair-has-always-said-he-will-be-judged-by-history-now-alastair/) [Rory Bremner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-bremner/) > [When I first met Tony Blair in 1996, he was open and idealistic, keen to bring a breath of fresh air to government. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-bremner/when-i-first-met-tony-blair-in-1996-he-was-open-and-idealistic-keen/) [Rory Bremner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-bremner/) > [I remember when Tony Blair came into office, and there was a sense I was thinking, 'Well, what on Earth am I going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-bremner/i-remember-when-tony-blair-came-into-office-and-there-was-a-sense-i/) [Rory Bremner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-bremner/) > [When you consider what Tony Blair was saying about liberty, human rights and that sort of thing, it would be terribly revolutionary to sell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-bremner/when-you-consider-what-tony-blair-was-saying-about-liberty-human/) [Rory Bremner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-bremner/) > [As far as critics, I'm not a hip guy. I was never on drugs. Nobody ever felt sorry for me 'cause I went straight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-vinton/as-far-as-critics-i-m-not-a-hip-guy-i-was-never-on-drugs-nobody-ever/) [Bobby Vinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-vinton/) > [I am sorry to tell you that I am getting very extravagant and spending all my money: and what is worse for you, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/i-am-sorry-to-tell-you-that-i-am-getting-very-extravagant-and/) [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) > [Science fiction writers, I am sorry to say, really do not know anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-dick/science-fiction-writers-i-am-sorry-to-say-really-do-not-know-anything/) [Philip K. Dick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-dick/) > [Cricketers like Jadeja come once in a lifetime, and I am sorry he didn’t play in my time. Could have added a few more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muttiah-muralitharan/cricketers-like-jadeja-come-once-in-a-lifetime-and-i-am-sorry-he-didn/) [Muttiah Muralitharan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muttiah-muralitharan/) > [I am sorry I ran from you. I am still running, running from that knowledge, that eye, that love from which there is no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-dillard/i-am-sorry-i-ran-from-you-i-am-still-running-running-from-that/) [Annie Dillard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-dillard/) > [To you, the people of Flint, I say, as I have before, I am sorry and I will fix it. No citizen of this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-snyder/to-you-the-people-of-flint-i-say-as-i-have-before-i-am-sorry-and-i/) [Rick Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-snyder/) > [I am sorry I couldn't complete my term as leader. It is necessary for my staff to resign ... to regain the people's trust.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seiji-maehara/i-am-sorry-i-couldn-t-complete-my-term-as-leader-it-is-necessary-for/) [Seiji Maehara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seiji-maehara/) > [I found a special eagerness among the younger, and I am sorry to say, the more intelligent Negroes, to dismiss the spiritual as something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-robeson/i-found-a-special-eagerness-among-the-younger-and-i-am-sorry-to-say/) [Paul Robeson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-robeson/) > [I am sorry to upset my colleagues by saying we wasted four years in opposition, but if you do get so badly defeated as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-clarke/i-am-sorry-to-upset-my-colleagues-by-saying-we-wasted-four-years-in/) [Kenneth Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-clarke/) ## More by Rory Bremner > [People may say that what I do is very clever, but it's not really at all. It's not Swift.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-bremner/people-may-say-that-what-i-do-is-very-clever-but-it-s-not-really-at/) [Rory Bremner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-bremner/) > [Now I'm instantly nervous about the demands of doing a weekly column.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-bremner/now-i-m-instantly-nervous-about-the-demands-of-doing-a-weekly-column/) [Rory Bremner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-bremner/) > [Or the Department of Education and another ministry were worried about duplication of effort, so what did they do? They set up two committees…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-bremner/or-the-department-of-education-and-another-ministry-were-worried/) [Rory Bremner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-bremner/) > [I remember driving home one evening while they were reviewing the papers on the radio. One of the articles was about me separating from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-bremner/i-remember-driving-home-one-evening-while-they-were-reviewing-the/) [Rory Bremner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-bremner/) > [Scotland needs comedy more than ever. With the independence debate, finally after 300 years, reaching room temperature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-bremner/scotland-needs-comedy-more-than-ever-with-the-independence-debate/) [Rory Bremner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-bremner/) > [It's harder to take politics seriously, to understand the issues, than it is to drown it all in a sea of scorn. And while…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-bremner/it-s-harder-to-take-politics-seriously-to-understand-the-issues-than/) [Rory Bremner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-bremner/) > [When George Bush finally leaves the White House, the satire industry will briefly join the rest of the economy in recession. It will certainly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-bremner/when-george-bush-finally-leaves-the-white-house-the-satire-industry/) [Rory Bremner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-bremner/) > [I think I probably tend to make life hard for myself by taking on too many things. I call it plate spinning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-bremner/i-think-i-probably-tend-to-make-life-hard-for-myself-by-taking-on-too/) [Rory Bremner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-bremner/) > [When you consider what Tony Blair was saying about liberty, human rights and that sort of thing, it would be terribly revolutionary to sell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-bremner/when-you-consider-what-tony-blair-was-saying-about-liberty-human/) [Rory Bremner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-bremner/) > [I had an Edinburgh, middle-class childhood and a public school education,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-bremner/i-had-an-edinburgh-middle-class-childhood-and-a-public-school/) [Rory Bremner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-bremner/) > [I'm supposed to be the director of a television company, but I've only ever seen that company as a vehicle for making the kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-bremner/i-m-supposed-to-be-the-director-of-a-television-company-but-i-ve-only/) [Rory Bremner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-bremner/) > [I love the 6 Nations rugby. I feel very Scottish then. I feel very Scottish now, sitting in the middle of Chelsea. But thats…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-bremner/i-love-the-6-nations-rugby-i-feel-very-scottish-then-i-feel-very/) [Rory Bremner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-bremner/) > [Politics now is rather like going into Starbucks for a coffee.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-bremner/politics-now-is-rather-like-going-into-starbucks-for-a-coffee/) [Rory Bremner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-bremner/) > [I've no idea what they make of me. People usually don't recognise themselves in an impression.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-bremner/i-ve-no-idea-what-they-make-of-me-people-usually-don-t-recognise/) [Rory Bremner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-bremner/) > [When I think back to my childhood, it's with a mixture of amusement and embarrassment. I was always forgetting things. My mum called me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-bremner/when-i-think-back-to-my-childhood-it-s-with-a-mixture-of-amusement/) [Rory Bremner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-bremner/) [Explore all 73 Rory Bremner quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-bremner/) ## More Am sorry quotes > [I am sorry to upset my colleagues by saying we wasted four years in opposition, but if you do get so badly defeated as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-clarke/i-am-sorry-to-upset-my-colleagues-by-saying-we-wasted-four-years-in/) [Kenneth Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-clarke/) > [I found a special eagerness among the younger, and I am sorry to say, the more intelligent Negroes, to dismiss the spiritual as something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-robeson/i-found-a-special-eagerness-among-the-younger-and-i-am-sorry-to-say/) [Paul Robeson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-robeson/) > [I am sorry I couldn't complete my term as leader. It is necessary for my staff to resign ... to regain the people's trust.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seiji-maehara/i-am-sorry-i-couldn-t-complete-my-term-as-leader-it-is-necessary-for/) [Seiji Maehara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seiji-maehara/) > [To you, the people of Flint, I say, as I have before, I am sorry and I will fix it. No citizen of this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-snyder/to-you-the-people-of-flint-i-say-as-i-have-before-i-am-sorry-and-i/) [Rick Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-snyder/) > [I am sorry I ran from you. I am still running, running from that knowledge, that eye, that love from which there is no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-dillard/i-am-sorry-i-ran-from-you-i-am-still-running-running-from-that/) [Annie Dillard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-dillard/) > [Cricketers like Jadeja come once in a lifetime, and I am sorry he didn’t play in my time. Could have added a few more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muttiah-muralitharan/cricketers-like-jadeja-come-once-in-a-lifetime-and-i-am-sorry-he-didn/) [Muttiah Muralitharan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muttiah-muralitharan/) > [Science fiction writers, I am sorry to say, really do not know anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-dick/science-fiction-writers-i-am-sorry-to-say-really-do-not-know-anything/) [Philip K. Dick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-dick/) > [I am sorry to tell you that I am getting very extravagant and spending all my money: and what is worse for you, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/i-am-sorry-to-tell-you-that-i-am-getting-very-extravagant-and/) [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) > [As far as critics, I'm not a hip guy. I was never on drugs. Nobody ever felt sorry for me 'cause I went straight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-vinton/as-far-as-critics-i-m-not-a-hip-guy-i-was-never-on-drugs-nobody-ever/) [Bobby Vinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-vinton/) > [I always ask at once, 'Do you drink?' and if she says 'No,' I bow politely and say I am sorry but I fear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-whistler/i-always-ask-at-once-do-you-drink-and-if-she-says-no-i-bow-politely/) [James Whistler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-whistler/) > [I accept that it was a mistake to allow distinctions to be blurred between my professional responsibilities and my personal loyalties to a friend.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liam-fox/i-accept-that-it-was-a-mistake-to-allow-distinctions-to-be-blurred/) [Liam Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liam-fox/) > [I am sorry they began their deliberations by so abominable a precedent as that of tying up the tongues of their members. Nothing can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-am-sorry-they-began-their-deliberations-by-so-abominable-a/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [I am sorry for people who can't write letters. But I suspect also that you and I ... love to write them because it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-bishop/i-am-sorry-for-people-who-can-t-write-letters-but-i-suspect-also-that/) [Elizabeth Bishop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-bishop/) > [I am sorry " I murmured. "I know. I ought not to have threatened to beat you " he returned. He pressed a kiss…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deanna-raybourn/i-am-sorry-i-murmured-i-know-i-ought-not-to-have-threatened-to-beat/) [Deanna Raybourn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deanna-raybourn/) > [I made a big mistake. It is indefensible and I am sorry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-j-clinton/i-made-a-big-mistake-it-is-indefensible-and-i-am-sorry/) [William J. Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-j-clinton/) [Browse all 103 Am sorry quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/am-sorry/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "But let's be clear. We're talking about a country where there's no opposition. As leader he can ignore Parliament and - sorry that's Tony Blair isn't it? 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