SELF-praise is no recommendation, but what about the words of the Prime Minister on Tuesday?

In his conference speech, Tony Blair echoed many of the sentiments expressed here last week. For the first time, an international leader linked the war against terrorism with the war against drugs. Mr Blair said that 90 per cent of the heroin on British streets comes from Afghanistan. Heroin, which kills people in the North-East of England, is bankrolling the Taliban regime.

The heart of Mr Blair's message was also what I have been saying in these columns for years: together, we can crack it. If individuals unite to form strong communities and they are supported by a strong police force, they can reclaim their own streets, driving off the unwanted criminals - be they petty vandals or drug dealers. Similarly, if individual nations unite to form a strong global community, and they are backed up by sensible military action where required, they can reclaim peace by driving off the unwanted terrorists.

It is, of course, a lot easier to say than it is to do, but I was very pleased by Mr Blair's language. For too long, politicians have hidden behind a politically-correct pretence and failed to answer questions.

Mr Blair didn't. He was forthright. He attacked Islamic nations for harbouring ridiculous prejudices about America and, equally, he attacked those in the West who harbour racist prejudices about Muslims. And, just to be fair, he attacked America for failing to play its part in the global community by unilaterally tearing up the Kyoto Treaty on climate change.

I, for one, now look forward to him taking the war against drugs to the very heart of the Taliban regime which is prepared to poison the veins of other countries' youth with heroin while poisoning the minds of its own with a venom that has nothing to do with religion.

Finally, my conference notebook also wonders why the Red Rose party's stage set was entirely blue and Mr Blair wore a blue tie. I know domestic politics seems irrelevant at the moment and there is a rare unanimity between parties, but next week will we see Iain Duncan Smith speaking from a socialist red platform in a workers' red tie?

POLITICIANS are not the only ones who refuse to answer questions. Prince Edward this week has been trailed by the media, all shouting at him about why he allowed his cameramen to film Prince William at university in contravention of the privacy agreements.

Looking more and more agitated, Edward said nothing. Yet, if he ever has a show to sell or a point to put across, he expects the press to show up and quote his every word.

And it was a legitimate question. It also had a legitimate answer: "I'm sorry, it should never have happened, it won't happen again, we all make mistakes, I'm sorry." That sort of open honesty would have boosted the integrity of the Royal Family rather than, once more, allow it to be dragged through the mire.

Published: 04/10/01