But all eyes are now on the foot-and-mouth crisis and the looming election and Mr Blair is rapidly reaching the point where he must make up his mind whether the elections will take place in May or not.
In fact, staying true to his ideological beliefs willnot even enter his mind should he come up against the reality of the threatened survival of someone Avik loves.
Mr Attwood has said hewillnot be changing his mind over his decision to limit further development on the site of the planned John Lewis store near Lisburn.