It is not an arrogant government that chooses priorities, it’s an irresponsible government that fails to choose.

Blair’s line defends the necessity of political choice in government. It rebukes the idea that setting priorities is inherently “arrogant” (as if leaders should avoid ranking needs to appear humble or neutral). Instead, it argues that refusing to choose—trying to fund everything, promise everything, or postpone trade-offs—is the truly culpable stance, because scarcity and competing claims are unavoidable in public policy. The quote reflects a managerial, responsibility-centered view of leadership: legitimacy comes not from avoiding hard decisions but from making them transparently and being accountable for the consequences. It also implies that moral seriousness in government includes acknowledging limits and directing resources where they will do the most good.