As I recall, it was his idea - and a very good one.

I'm a bit sick of this trend for Blair-bashing.

Joe, Manchester,

Quite honestly I haven't the slightest interest in whether it was Blair or Brown that wanted an independent BoE. Its all very boring, of little concern to the majority in the country and after their performance of the Northern Rock fiasco leaves me convinced they're as incompetent as the government. In any respect, Blair is now a inconsequential has-been who is of little interest to the masses despite his wifes attempts to screw more money on the lecture circuits. Who cares & whose interested , just let the man fade into his naturally obscure place in history.

Mike, Alicante, Spain

Bank of England independence was a policy adopted by the Liberal Democrats in 1995. It was prominently featured in their 1997 general election manifesto and argued for during the campaign. You won't find it in Labour's document and the Tories were openly hostile to it anyway.

The best Tony Blair can come up with is that he and Gordon Brown agreed it before the election but didn't have the guts to tell anyone about it or campaign on it.

Robert, Hampshire,

Hiya :)
The Bank Of England was privatized for the same reason Air Traffic Control and the Post Office are being privatized

Because the EU is creating a single state

Democracy any1 :)
LE X

edward, Leicester, UK

Well Brown steals Tories policies, why not Blairs as well.

John, Clacton on Sea-Essex, UK

Clutching at straws fior his 'Legacy File'? he should wait for the outcome of ther Northern Rock fiasco before boasting too loudly. His true legacy is 0 and falling!

david, Uzes, France

A pointless programme to come.A three part documentary love-in with David Aronovitch.Though I don't suppose Blair is going to talk to anyone who will ask any pointed questions or who is not "on side" for laying out the legacy.
Given the blood and treasure Blair spent,the rank incompetence of his terms in office,the spin and mendacity,the messianic rush to his war, it's amusing that the puff for this documentary is to take credit from Brown for the one useful thing achevied (untill Northern Rock tested it ).

robert everitt, wolverhampton,

Tony Blair is proof that the justice system is malfunctioning...

William Knapp, Canada,

I think we're slowly but surely beginning to see a bit of a trend here, Gordon jumping on Tony's bandwagon and taking credit for his success.

I don't actually understand why Blair stood down? Brown isn't half the man he was.

Frank Yoxalll, London,

David Aaronovitch was probably in seventh heaven interviewing his great hero Blair.There can't be too many left who still believe in him.9/11 was the turning point in the Blair premiership.Prior to that he had mainly concentrated on domestic issues and can claim notable successes with independence for the Bank of England and the Northern Ireland peace agreement.Unfortunately after 9/11 he thought he could put the world to rights and neglected the country that had elected him.He allowed Brown far too much scope and then ruined his reputation by foolishly getting involved in Iraq.
Regrettably history will probably record the Blair premiership as a wasted opportunity.

Dave Robins, West Drayton, England

Can you imagine any chancellor voluntarily giving up control of interest rates?

Colin , Shrewsbury,

You so it WAS you to blame for this so called BOE 'independence' (the greatest of the great lies of the last 10+years)- I thought I smelled fish.

Ripsnorter (ex-pat), Malaga, Spain

The first moves towards the independence of the Bank of England were made by Lawson under the Thatcher government and the necessary preparation was made by him but never implemented until Brown became Chancellor.

Here is a reference released by the Treasury on 7 March 2005:

1988-93: Treasury papers on an independent Bank of England

During early 1988 the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Nigel Lawson, requested officials to study the case for, and practicalities of, giving the Bank of England statutory independence.

The Treasury reached an agnostic verdict, but Lawson nonetheless prepared a memorandum for the Prime Minister urging an independent Bank. The initiative came to nothing, because MT rejected the proposal. But after she left No.10 work continued on Bank of England independence on the initiative of officials, preparing in case ministers asked for a reexamination of the issue. In the event that moment came only with the arrival of the new Labour Government in May 1997.

Sam Bartlett, Port El Kantaoui, Tunisia

Is that the same Bank of England independence that had been in the Lib Dem manifesto seveal months before Blair "had the idea", or a different one?

Joe, brussels,

So the world leader who has probably done to face down fascism since WW2, isn't welcome in his own country? Does the left have any principle left?

mark mcfarland, hongkong,

Tony obviously misses the limelight. He should be reminded that he got the country into this mess and he should now focus on his new role.

Hamad Lone, London, England

Its a good idea to have an independent Bank of England. However, wouldn't it be a reasonable idea to have at least one member of the committee, who didn't have vast amounts of money invested in the UK residential property market? How about that homeless surfer dude from Venice Beach, LA who's fast becoming a fashion icon?

Kit Carson, Carson Pass,

Sorry Tony but we are glad to see the back of you. Please don't show your face in this country again, Go back to America or Rome either one will make you a lot more welcome than you are here.

andrew , Belfast,