I've often said of Blair that the principal difference 'twixt him & Thatcher is that he actually is sincere.

Interesting. My own belief is that had I met them, Thatcher might have said to me "I'll punch you in the gob" and then do that but TB might have said "I'm not going to punch you in the gob" then punch me in the gob. I'd not like either clout but I'd prefer the person who told me honestly it was coming to me.