BBC News Tuesday, 8 August 2006, 13:35 GMT 14:35 UK

Blair starts holiday with UN plea

Tony Blair delayed his holiday for a number of days Blair interview

Tony Blair is beginning his delayed holiday to the Caribbean after saying he hopes to see a UN resolution on the Middle East crisis agreed by Wednesday.

The prime minister has now left London to join his family in Barbados but says he will do all he can to help the talks while he is away.

He urged the international community should "get down and get it done without delay" on the resolution.

Israel has told south Lebanon residents it will escalate operations there.

Israel launched about 80 air strikes against Lebanon overnight. Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon fired more than 140 rockets on Israel.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/5256610.stm

Tony Blair is not taking a holiday in the UK. To the best of my knowledge he never has.

His personal actions belie his postion with respect to ecology and global warming. He should be setting an example of respecting the global ecological balance in the way he livess his personal life. He could have started with a holiday in the UK, but it seems he rejects this country for which he is its Prime Minister. It's time that the UK had a Prime Minister who likes the UK, enjoys it and whose actions reflect his/her advocacy.

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott is left in charge. Well, he seems to have a propensity for playing croquet at his official residence during office hours among other personal activities while on the job. One wonders what will happen.