Tony Blair mixes business with politics

The daily notes that "[former UK Prime Minister] Tony Blair's decision to mix business with statecraft by joining JPMorgan Chase [financial services firm] as a part-time adviser while serving as an international envoy to the Middle East marks an unwelcome blurring of the line between public and private roles. ... There is something disturbing about political leaders parlaying their fame into money after retirement. But it is the price we must pay if we want the best and brightest to go into politics rather than becoming bankers in the first place or, in the case of Mr Blair, remaining lawyers.What is less acceptable is doing both things at the same time. Mr Blair will no doubt be scrupulous in not mixing appeals for peace and compromise in meetings with Gulf leaders with appeals for contracts for JPMorgan. But it is impossible completely to separate his identities as an international envoy and international salesman. ... Mr Blair ought to make up his mind ... ."

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