I have to say that I like the newly unveiled official portrait of Tony Blair. That the artist took the commission, took the money, and still stitched his subject up in the newspapers is an added bonus.

Of the painting itself, I’m very taken by the way Blair seems to be fading away, leaving only the blood red of the poppy and a pair of baleful eyes. You could say he’s doing a Cheshire Cat except, in a final twist, that famous grin has gone as well.