Tony Blair Quotes in The Queen (2006)

HM Queen Elizabeth II: Have we shown you how to start a nuclear war yet?

Tony Blair: Er no.

HM Queen Elizabeth II: First thing we do apparently, then we take away your passport and spend the rest of our time sending you around the world.

Tony Blair: You obviously know my job better than I do

HM Queen Elizabeth II: Yes well, you are my tenth Prime Minister Mr Blair. My first of course was Winston Churchill, he sat in your chair in a frock coat and top hat. And he was kind enough to give a shy young girl like me quite an education.

Tony Blair: I would imagine.

Alastair Campbell: They, er, sent a copy of the Queen's speech. Might want to scrape the frost off it first... Oh, I phoned them with a couple of suggestions, to make it sound like it came from a human being.

Tony Blair: Yeah, all right, Alastair.

Alastair Campbell: Well, at least the old bat's finally agreed to visit Diana's coffin.

Tony Blair: You know, when you get it wrong, you really get it wrong! That woman has given her whole life in service to her people. Fifty years doing a job SHE never wanted! A job she watched kill her father. She's executed it with honor, dignity, and, as far as I can tell, without a single blemish, and now we're all baying for her blood! All because she's struggling to lead the world in mourning for someone who... who threw everything she offered back in her face. And who, for the last few years, seemed committed 24/7 to destroying everything she holds most dear!

HM Queen Elizabeth II: Prime Minister.

Tony Blair: Good morning, Majesty. Sorry to disturb, but I was just wondering whether you'd seen any of today's papers?

HM Queen Elizabeth II: We've managed to look at one or two, yes.

Tony Blair: In which case my... next question would be whether you felt some kind of response...

[Queen Elizabeth puts Blair on speakerphone]

Tony Blair: ...might be necessary?

HM Queen Elizabeth II: No. I believe a few over-eager editors are doing their best to sell newspapers. It would be a mistake to dance to their tune.

Tony Blair: Under normal circumstances I would agree. But... well, my advisors... have been taking the temperature among people on the streets... and, well, the information I'm getting is that the mood is quite delicate.

HM Queen Elizabeth II: So, what would you suggest, Prime Minister - some kind of a statement?

Tony Blair: No, ma'am. I believe the moment for statements has passed. I would suggest flying the flag at half-mast above Buckingham Palace... and... coming down to London at the earliest opportunity. It would be a great comfort to your people... and would help them with their grief.

HM Queen Elizabeth II: [Picks up the receiver] THEIR grief? If you imagine I'm going to drop everything and come down to London before I attend to my grandchildren who've just lost their mother... then you're mistaken. I doubt there is anyone who knows the British people more than I do, Mr. Blair, nor who has greater faith in their wisdom and judgement. And it is my belief that they will any moment reject this... this "mood", which is being stirred up by the press, in favor of a period of restrained grief, and sober, private mourning. That's the way we do things in this country, quietly, with dignity. That's what the rest of the world has always admired us for.

Tony Blair: If that's your decision, ma'am, of course the government will support it. Let's keep in touch.

HM Queen Elizabeth II: [Curtly] Yes. Let's.

[the Queen slams down the phone]

HM Queen Elizabeth II: Oh, really? You don't think that what affection people once had for m... for this 'institution' has been diminished?

Tony Blair: No, not at all. You are more respected now than ever.

HM Queen Elizabeth II: I gather some of your closest advisors were less fulsome in their support.

Tony Blair: One or two... But as a leader, I could never have added my voice to that chorus.

HM Queen Elizabeth II: Because you saw all those headlines and you thought: 'One day that might happen to me'...

Tony Blair: Oh... er...

HM Queen Elizabeth II: ...and it will, Mr. Blair. Quite suddenly and without warning... So, shall we get on with the business in hand?

Tony Blair: Will someone please save these people from themselves!

Cherie Blair: [impersonating the Queen] Thank you so much for coming, now fuck off!

Tony Blair: I know, what was all that about?

Cherie Blair: God knows, Diana, whatever it is it'll be something to do with Diana.

Alastair Campbell: You going to speak to the Queen?

Tony Blair: Yep.

Alastair Campbell: Ask her if SHE greased the brakes.

Tony Blair: Now, now.

[last lines]

HM Queen Elizabeth II: So tell me, Mr. Blair, what might we expect from your first parliament?

Tony Blair: Well, ma'am, top of the list is education reform. We want to radically reduce classroom sizes.

HM Queen Elizabeth II: Oh, yes. Yes, we must.

Tony Blair: Create a much lower teacher-pupil ratio.

HM Queen Elizabeth II: Yes, it will be difficult to achieve...

[trailing off, inaudible]

[Cherie has just offered a 'shallow' curtsy. The Queen looks at her and smiles]

HM Queen Elizabeth II: Mrs Blair, lovely to see you, and congratulations.

[the Queen shakes Cherie's hand]

HM Queen Elizabeth II: You must be very proud, and exhausted I imagine. Where will you be spending the summer?

Cherie Blair: Erm, France.

HM Queen Elizabeth II: Oh, lovely.

Tony Blair: You'll be in Balmoral?

HM Queen Elizabeth II: Yes, yes, I can't wait. It's such a wonderful place. My great great grandmother Victoria once said 'Balmoral always seems to breath peace and make one forget the world and its sad turmoils'.

Robin Janvrin: [comes into room] Your Majesty?

HM Queen Elizabeth II: Oh, excuse me.

[Robin whispers something inaudible into the Queen's ear]

HM Queen Elizabeth II: [to Tony and Cherie] I'm so sorry, we're going to have to leave it there.

[she shakes both their hands and they exit without showing their backs]

HM Queen Elizabeth II: [to Robin] It wasn't too short was it? Fifteen minutes, one doesn't want to be rude.

Robin Janvrin: No ma'am.

Tony Blair: [after getting off the phone with Lord Airlie] Precedent? Where do they find these people?

Cherie Blair: I don't know why I'm surprised. At the end of the day, all Labour Prime Ministers go gaga for the Queen.

Tony Blair: [staring intently at the TV screen where the Queen is giving her speech] Hmm?