Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair was in Storm Lake last night speaking at a lecture series at Buena Vista University. Blair told the crowd the western world is under a challenge today, but not in decline.
Blair said both the United Kingdom and the United States are being attacked from outside and suffering from self-doubt from within while facing a serious debt crisis. Blair said the number one priority is to get the economy moving and create jobs, stressing the need for a deficit reduction plan and supporting business.
Blair said global terrorism hasn’t ended, and suggested it may take a generation to get under control. He said “9/11 was never an attack on America. It was an attack on a way of life and a set of beliefs.” Blair said even though the United States’ financial situation is very pressing, it’s important to many in the world to see this country standing tall.
The former prime minister said the rise of China is the single biggest change in this century. He noted China has 150 cities of over one million population and that number is rising. During the next ten years, China will build over 70 international airports. Blair said China has done so well over the past 30 years by emulating us. Blair served as British Prime Minister from 1997 to 2007.
By Joel Hermann, KAYL, Storm Lake