WHEN Tony Blair dies, a now irresistible case exists for a publicly funded funeral, comparable to Margaret Thatcher’s.

He, after all, was also a three-term Prime Minister who hit the reform button as much as Thatcher.

This should serve to silence those suggesting that there has been a certain Tory bias.

Blair, though, is a johnny-cum-lately Roman Catholic. Would the service, necessarily be a full requiem mass at Westminster Cathedral, conducted by the Archbishop of Westminster? Or perhaps even in Liverpool?

The C of E and Home Office would doubtless prefer St Paul’s, if only out of consistency, but perhaps held at the weekend, to cause less disruption in The City.

However, if Tony Blur goes along this route, there is little scope remaining to resist the inevitable clamour for an extra-special memorial service for the Major.

Not John Major, but Major Clement Atlee, the other truly great reforming Prime Minister of the 20th century.

Nick Blitz, South Lane, Haxby, York.