The Final Bow: Blair bids adieu

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"I think I spoke for millions of people when I said to the Cabinet today that Tony Blair's achievements are unique, unprecedented and enduring," Brown said in a statement. "Many people will remember how he led the country after July 7, how he responded for the whole world after September 11 in America, how he responded to the tragic death of Princess Diana."

"But over ten years his enduring legacy will also be that he built better public services, a strong economy, that Britain's reputation in the world is stronger than ever before and that at all times he tried to do the right thing," he said.

The church also had a good word for him. "Tony Blair always welcomed what he termed prophetic wisdom from the Church on matters of state, even where such wisdom took the form of criticism or disagreement," the Archbishop of York, Dr. John Sentamu, said.

"Tony Blair has understood as well as any Prime Minister in recent times why religion matters, how faith communities contribute to the common good and why religious extremism should have no place in a progressive society," said Dr. Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury. "As a man of genuine personal faith, he has not shied away from the risk associated with confronting extremism, while respecting difference."

Durham North West MP and former chief whip, Hilary Armstrong took time to remember the human side of the Prime Minister.

"I have never seen him lose his temper, never be discourteous to colleagues and he is a real human being," she said.

"[Blair is] A political figure who is capable of thinking over the horizon. He's a long-term thinker. I'll miss Tony Blair. I have found him to be a man who's kept his word," said George W. Bush, US President. "When Tony Blair tells you something, as we say in Texas, you can take it to the bank. He's a remarkable person. And I consider him a good friend."

"Tony Blair has been an extraordinary leader of the United Kingdom. He and the president are strong friends and allies," said the White House spokesman, Tony Snow, noting the PM's close alliance with both Bill Clinton and - especially - George Bush that became a cornerstone of his foreign policy.

"But also, the prime minister has demonstrated the ability to work with presidents of both parties and maintain a long tradition of an alliance that is of extraordinary strategic importance," he added.

"Prime Minister Blair has had an enormous impact on world politics, and he certainly has had an enormous impact on the special relationship between the United States and Great Britain. He has been a friend, he has been steadfast in the face of negative public opinion, and in the face of crises he's stood steady. And we could always count on him," said Colin Powell, former US Secretary of State.

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