Tony Blair has made two further announcements following the news that he has converted to the Roman Catholic faith.
In a short press conference he announced that he had decided to become Conservative and American. Although these conversions were widely expected, Blair had resolutely refused to discuss such issues during his term in office. During an interview on Parkinson he had previously said: "It is always best not to discuss in public one's political position or nationality otherwise you get branded a nutter"
However, insiders have said that Blair's behaviour in the last years of his premiership had shown all the signs of being Conservative and American. "It is no secret that the he believes in the infallibility of George Bush and Margaret Thatcher and all of his foreign policy decisions have clearly demonstrated his stateside and Tory leanings" Anne Widdecombe said.
Downing Street maintained that matters of religion, political party or nationality were a purely personal matter and had no relevance to how a British, Labour Prime Minister who had appointed the Archbishop of Canterbury was able to carry out their duties.