Sir Tony Blair, born on May 6, 1953, is a British politician. He served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1997 to 2007. He was the second-longest serving prime minister after World War II. He was also the longest-serving Labour Party prime minister. Tony Blair is the only Labour leader to win three general elections in a row.

After leaving his role as prime minister, Blair became a special envoy for the Quartet on the Middle East. This was a diplomatic job he held until 2015. Since 2016, he has led the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change. In 2009, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from George W. Bush. In 2022, Queen Elizabeth II made him a Knight of the Garter.

Tony Blair's Early Life

Tony Blair was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, on May 6, 1953. His parents were Leo and Hazel Blair. He had an older brother, William, and a younger sister, Sarah. When he was very young, his family lived in Edinburgh. His father worked as a tax inspector and studied law.

When Tony was about 19 months old, his family moved to Adelaide, South Australia. His father taught law at the University of Adelaide. After four years, in 1958, the family returned to the United Kingdom. They lived in Stepps, near Glasgow, for a short time. Then, they moved to Durham, England, when Tony was five. His father became a lecturer at Durham University. Tony Blair grew up with a strong connection to Durham.

From a young age, Tony Blair has been a big fan of Newcastle United football club.

Education and Law Career

Tony Blair attended the Chorister School in Durham from 1961 to 1966. At 13, he went to Fettes College in Edinburgh, a boarding school, from 1966 to 1971. He later said he did not enjoy his time at Fettes. Teachers found him difficult. He reportedly tried to be like Mick Jagger, the singer from the Rolling Stones. After Fettes, at 18, he took a year off to try to become a rock music promoter in London.

In 1972, at age 19, Blair started studying law at St John's College, Oxford. He played guitar and sang in a rock band called Ugly Rumours. He also performed stand-up comedy. A fellow student, Peter Thomson, helped him explore his religious faith and left-wing political ideas. He graduated from Oxford in 1975 with a law degree.

In 1975, while he was at Oxford, his mother, Hazel, passed away at 52. This was a very difficult time for him.

After Oxford, Blair trained to become a barrister. He met his future wife, Cherie Booth, at the law offices where they both worked.

Early Political Journey

Blair joined the Labour Party in 1975, after finishing university. In the early 1980s, he was involved in local Labour politics in Hackney, London. He tried to become a local council member in 1982 but was not chosen.

Later in 1982, Blair was chosen as the Labour candidate for a by-election in Beaconsfield. This was a very safe seat for the Conservative Party. Blair lost the election, and Labour's vote share dropped. However, he gained recognition within the party. Despite the loss, a political reporter called Blair "a very good candidate."

Before the 1983 general election, Blair needed to find a winnable constituency. A new constituency, Sedgefield, was created in County Durham. It was a Labour-supporting area. Blair visited the local Labour club and gained support. He was chosen as the candidate at the last minute.

John Burton became Blair's election agent and a close friend. In the 1983 election, Blair's campaign supported left-wing policies. He was elected as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Sedgefield at the age of 30. This happened even though Labour suffered a big defeat in that general election.

In his first speech in the House of Commons on July 6, 1983, Blair said he was a socialist. He believed socialism meant cooperation, fellowship, and equality.

Blair quickly moved up in politics. In 1984, he became an assistant spokesman for the Treasury. In 1985, he appeared on BBC's Question Time. He argued that a new public order law threatened people's freedoms. By 1988, he was promoted to the shadow Trade and Industry team.

Becoming a Leader

In 1992, after Labour lost another general election, Neil Kinnock resigned as leader. Blair became the Shadow Home Secretary under the new leader, John Smith. Blair believed the Labour Party needed to change to appeal to more voters, especially the growing middle class. He felt the party was too focused on its traditional base of working-class people and trade unions.

Blair and other modernizers wanted to change the party's goals. They pushed to remove "Clause IV" from the Labour Party's constitution. This clause committed the party to nationalizing major industries. In 1995, this clause was replaced with a new statement. This change was a big step towards what became known as "New Labour".

Leading the Opposition

Blair meeting with Spanish prime minister Felipe González in 1996

In 1994, John Smith suddenly passed away. Tony Blair won the leadership election against John Prescott and Margaret Beckett. He became the Leader of the Opposition. This meant he was the main leader of the party not in power.

At the 1994 Labour Party conference, Blair announced plans to update the party's aims. This led to the removal of Clause IV, which had been a key part of Labour's identity since 1918. This move showed Labour was shifting away from traditional socialist ideas of nationalization. Many saw it as the birth of "New Labour."

Blair took over Labour when the party was very popular in opinion polls. The Conservative government, led by John Major, was struggling. Their reputation was damaged by an economic crisis in 1992. Blair's leadership made Labour even more popular. At the 1996 Labour Party conference, Blair famously said his top three priorities were "education, education, and education."

With the Conservative government being unpopular, "New Labour" won a huge victory in the 1997 general election. This ended 18 years of Conservative rule. It was the biggest Conservative defeat since 1906.

Prime Minister: 1997–2007

Blair with US president Bill Clinton in Italy, 1999

Tony Blair became the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom on May 2, 1997. At 43, he was the youngest prime minister since 1812. He was also the first prime minister born after World War II. With election wins in 1997, 2001, and 2005, Blair became the Labour Party's longest-serving prime minister. He was also the first and only Labour leader to win three general elections in a row.

Peace in Northern Ireland

Blair speaking to a crowd in Armagh, 1998

Blair played a big role in helping the Northern Ireland peace process. He helped negotiate the Good Friday Agreement, which ended 30 years of conflict. This was widely seen as a major achievement. After a bombing in Omagh in 1998, Blair visited the town and met with victims.

Military Actions and the War on Terror

In his first six years as prime minister, Blair sent British troops into combat five times. This was more than any other British prime minister. These actions included Iraq (1998 and 2003), Kosovo (1999), Sierra Leone (2000), and Afghanistan (2001).

Blair and US president George W. Bush at a NATO summit in Turkey, June 2004

Blair strongly supported the foreign policy of US President George W. Bush. This was especially true after the 9/11 attacks in 2001. Britain joined the US in the War on Terror. This included the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan and the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

The invasion of Iraq in 2003 was very controversial. Many people in Britain and 139 of Blair's own MPs were against it. Blair faced criticism for the decision and how it was made. He stated that intelligence showed Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction (WMDs). Later, he said he would have supported removing Saddam Hussein even without WMDs.

In 2010, Blair testified at the Iraq Inquiry. He said Saddam was a "monster" who threatened the world. He believed the world was safer after the invasion. In 2015, Blair apologized for "mistakes" in the Iraq War. He admitted the invasion partly helped the rise of ISIS. The Chilcot Inquiry report in 2016 strongly criticized Blair's role in the war.

Working with Parliament

One of Blair's first changes as prime minister was to alter Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs). Instead of two 15-minute sessions, there was one 30-minute session on Wednesdays. Blair also held monthly press conferences. From 2002, he started giving evidence to a senior committee in the House of Commons twice a year.

Some people felt Blair did not listen enough to his own Cabinet or to the House of Commons. He was sometimes criticized for acting more like a president than a prime minister. Blair was also accused of relying too much on "spin," which means presenting information in a way that makes it look good. He was the first UK prime minister to be questioned by police while still in office.

Steps Towards Resignation

Blair in Poland, 2007

As the number of deaths in the Iraq War grew, Blair's popularity dropped. Labour's majority in the 2005 election was reduced. Pressure grew within the Labour Party for Blair to resign. In September 2006, Blair publicly said he would step down as leader by September 2007.

On May 10, 2007, Blair announced his intention to resign as both Labour leader and prime minister. This started a leadership election where Gordon Brown was the only candidate.

At a special conference on June 24, 2007, Blair officially handed over the Labour Party leadership to Brown. Brown had been the Chancellor of the Exchequer under Blair. Blair resigned as prime minister on June 27, and Brown took office that same afternoon. Blair also resigned from his Sedgefield seat in Parliament.

Key Policies and Changes

Tony Blair's government aimed for economic success and social fairness. He described his approach as governing from the "radical centre." Many people believe his success came from appealing to voters across different political views. Some critics on the left felt he moved the Labour Party too far to the right.

Leading Conservative politicians have praised Blair. They see him as a "master" of politics. Even former Conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher called Blair her "greatest achievement."

Social Reforms

Blair introduced important changes to the UK's laws. He signed treaties to bring Britain closer to the European Union. He introduced the Civil Partnership Act 2004, which gave same-sex couples similar rights to married couples. He ended the ban on gay people serving in the military. He also introduced the Gender Recognition Act 2004, allowing people with gender dysphoria to legally change their gender. His government also repealed Section 28, which had banned promoting homosexuality in schools. Gay couples were given the right to adopt. Many anti-discrimination laws were also passed.

Blair's government also increased police powers. They added more arrestable offenses and allowed for compulsory DNA recording. They also introduced tough anti-terrorism laws and identity card legislation.

Economic Policies

Tony Blair is often praised for overseeing a strong economy. Between 1997 and 2006, the average income of British citizens grew by 18%. Britain saw fast growth in productivity and its economy. Poverty rates also fell. This growth was helped by investments in education and careful financial management.

Blair at the World Economic Forum in Davos, 2005

During his time as prime minister, Blair kept direct taxes low but raised indirect taxes. He invested a lot in education and skills training. He introduced a National Minimum Wage and new rights for workers. He also brought in market-based reforms in education and health. Student tuition fees were introduced. He also started a "welfare to work" scheme to help people find jobs. He did not reverse the privatization of the railways but instead improved their regulation.

NHS spending 1948/49 to 2014/15

Blair and Gordon Brown significantly increased spending on the NHS and other public services. They pledged to bring NHS spending up to the level of other European countries. They doubled spending in real terms to over £100 billion in England alone.

Immigration

Immigration from outside Europe increased a lot during Blair's time. One reason was the government ending a rule that made it harder for UK residents to bring foreign spouses into the country. Some former government advisors said that from 2000 to 2008, the policy was to allow more migration. They later clarified that the main goal was to bring in more workers because the economy was growing fast and needed more skilled people.

Environmental Actions

Blair often criticized other governments for not doing enough about global climate change. In 1997, he spoke in the United States about industrial nations failing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In 2003, he told the US Congress that climate change "cannot be ignored." He pushed for action beyond the Kyoto Protocol. Blair and his party promised to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 20%. They also aimed for 10% of energy to come from renewable sources by 2010, reaching 7% by then.

In 2000, Blair announced 100 million euros for green policies. He encouraged environmental groups and businesses to work together.

Foreign Policy

Jacques Chirac, George W. Bush, Blair and Silvio Berlusconi at the G8 Summit in Évian, 2003

Blair's foreign policy was based on strong ties with the US and the European Union. He also added a new idea of "interventionism," meaning getting involved in other countries' affairs when needed. In 2001, Britain joined the US in the global war on terror.

Blair became friends with several European leaders, like Silvio Berlusconi of Italy and Angela Merkel of Germany.

Blair meets with US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice in 2005

Blair had a very close relationship with US President George W. Bush, especially on foreign policy. Bush often praised Blair and the UK. He said, "America has no truer friend than Great Britain."

However, this close alliance made some Britons angry about American influence. A 2002 poll showed many Britons saw Blair as a "lapdog" of Bush. Blair argued it was important for Britain to keep a strong bond with the United States.

Middle East Policy

On January 30, 2003, Blair signed "The letter of the eight" supporting US policy on Iraq. Blair felt a deep connection to Israel, partly due to his faith. He was a long-time member of a pro-Israel group called Labour Friends of Israel.

In 1994, Blair formed close ties with Michael Levy, a leader in the Jewish community. Levy helped raise money for Blair's campaign before the 1997 election. In 2002, Blair appointed Lord Levy as his personal envoy to the Middle East.

Blair was initially cautious about the right-wing Israeli government. After Ehud Barak was elected in 1999, Blair became more supportive of Israel. From 2001, Blair also built a relationship with Barak's successor, Ariel Sharon. He also met with Yasser Arafat many times, seeing him as key to future talks.

In 2006, Blair was criticized for not immediately calling for a ceasefire in the 2006 Lebanon War. Some ministers pressured him to criticize Israel for the deaths and destruction in Lebanon. Blair was criticized for his strong support of George W. Bush's Middle East policy.

Syria and Libya

Documents from 2012 showed that Blair's government thought about giving a special honor to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad. They also tried to make Assad look good in the media.

Blair was also friendly with Colonel Gaddafi, the leader of Libya. This happened when sanctions against Libya were lifted by the US and UK. Even after the Libyan Civil War in 2011, Blair said he did not regret his close relationship with Gaddafi.

Zimbabwe

Blair had a difficult relationship with Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe. Zimbabwe had started taking land from white farmers and giving it to the black population. This caused economic problems. In 2007, General Charles Guthrie said he and Blair had discussed invading Zimbabwe. Guthrie advised against it. In 2013, South African president Thabo Mbeki said Blair had pressured South Africa to join a "regime change scheme" in Zimbabwe, even using military force. Blair's spokesman denied this.

Russia

Blair meeting Russian president Vladimir Putin in 2003

Blair visited Moscow to see an opera with Vladimir Putin, who was then the acting president of Russia. Human rights groups criticized this meeting. In 2018, a former head of MI6 said there was "significant regret" over this trip. He also claimed that a KGB officer asked Britain for help in boosting Putin's political profile in 2000.

Blair also hosted Putin in London in April 2000. This was despite concerns from other world leaders and human rights groups about actions in Chechnya. Blair described Putin as a political reformer who wanted a strong, modern Russia and good relations with the West.

Blair giving his first speech as prime minister

Life After Being Prime Minister

Blair and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Brasilia in 2024

On June 27, 2007, Tony Blair officially resigned as prime minister. He was then confirmed as the Middle East envoy for the United Nations, European Union, United States, and Russia. President George W. Bush had discussed this role with Blair. Both Israel and the Palestinians supported the idea. In May 2008, Blair announced a new peace plan for Palestinian rights. He resigned as envoy in May 2015.

Private Work

In January 2008, Blair joined the investment bank JPMorgan Chase as a senior advisor. He also advised Zurich Financial Services on climate change. His salary for this work is not known, but it was reported to be high. Blair also gives speeches, earning a lot of money for each one. In 2008, he was said to be the highest-paid speaker in the world.

Blair taught a course on faith and globalization at Yale University in 2008–09. In 2009, he launched the Faith and Globalisation Initiative with Yale and other universities.

Charity and Non-Profits

Former rebel leader Hashim Thaçi and Blair with the Declaration of Independence of Kosovo in 2010

In November 2007, Blair started the Tony Blair Sports Foundation. Its goal is to get more children involved in sports, especially in North East England. This helps promote health and prevent childhood obesity. On May 30, 2008, he launched the Tony Blair Faith Foundation. This foundation encourages different faiths to work together for respect and understanding. It also aims to tackle global poverty.

In February 2009, he applied to set up the Tony Blair Africa Governance Initiative. This charity helps governments in Africa. In December 2016, Blair created the Tony Blair Institute. This institute promotes global ideas for governments and organizations.

Blair with Ukrainian prime minister Volodymyr Groysman in Ukraine, 2018

His Memoirs

In March 2010, it was announced that Blair's memoirs, first called The Journey, would be published. They were later renamed A Journey. Many people found the memoirs controversial. Some saw them as an attempt to profit from his time in office and from wars that were widely seen as wrong. This caused anger before the book was released.

On August 16, 2010, Blair announced he would give the £4.6 million advance and all royalties from his memoirs to the Royal British Legion. This was the charity's largest single donation ever.

The media had many reactions to this announcement. Some called it an act of "desperation" or "blood money" for lives lost in the wars. Others saw it as a "genius move" to improve his public image. Friends said he wanted to "repair his reputation."

The book was published on September 1 and quickly became the fastest-selling autobiography ever.

Tony Blair's Family Life

Blair with his wife, Cherie Booth, touring the recreated Amber Room in Russia, 2003

Tony Blair married Cherie Booth on March 29, 1980. They have four children: Euan, Nicky, Kathryn, and Leo. Their youngest child, Leo, was the first child born to a serving prime minister in over 150 years. All four children have Irish passports because of Blair's mother, Hazel, who was Irish. The family's main home is in Connaught Square, London. The Blairs own several properties.

His first grandchild, a girl, was born in October 2016.

How Tony Blair Has Been Portrayed

Appearances in Media

Blair made an animated appearance as himself in The Simpsons episode "The Regina Monologues" (2003). He also appeared as himself in the British TV series The Amazing Mrs Pritchard. On March 14, 2007, Blair was a celebrity judge on Masterchef Goes Large. Contestants had to cook a meal for him and Bertie Ahern in the Downing Street kitchens. On March 16, 2007, Blair was in a comedy sketch with Catherine Tate for Red Nose Day. In the sketch, Blair used Tate's character's famous line, "Am I bovvered?"

Portrayals by Actors

Several actors have played Tony Blair in films and TV shows:

Michael Sheen played him three times: in The Deal (2003), The Queen (2006), and The Special Relationship (2009).
Robert Lindsay played him in A Very Social Secretary (2005) and The Trial of Tony Blair (2007).
James Larkin in The Government Inspector (2005).
Ioan Gruffudd in W. (2008).
Christian Brassington in Tony Blair: Rock Star (2006).
Damian Lewis in Confessions of a Diary Secretary (2007).
Toby Stephens in The Journey (2017).
Bertie Carvel in The Crown (2022–23).
Charlie Baker in TONY! The Tony Blair Rock Opera (2023).

Awards and Honors

Coat of Arms of Sir Tony Blair

Blair presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George W. Bush in 2009

Blair in Kosovo meeting children named after him, 2010

Privy Counsellor (1994)
Congressional Gold Medal (2003)
Honorary Doctor of Law (LLD) from Queen's University Belfast (2008)
Presidential Medal of Freedom (2009)
Dan David Prize (2009)
Liberty Medal (2010)
Order of Freedom (2010)
Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter (2022)

In May 2007, Blair was given a special honor by the chiefs and people of Mahera village in Sierra Leone. This was to recognize his government's role in the Sierra Leone Civil War.

On May 22, 2008, Blair received an honorary law degree from Queen's University Belfast. This was for his public service and role in the Northern Ireland peace process.

On January 13, 2009, President George W. Bush gave Blair the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Bush said Blair received the award for his "exemplary achievement" and his support for the War on Terror. He also mentioned Blair's role in achieving peace in Northern Ireland.

On February 16, 2009, Blair received the Dan David Prize from Tel Aviv University. This was for his "exceptional leadership" in helping to solve conflicts.

On July 8, 2010, Blair was awarded the Order of Freedom by the President of Kosovo. Blair was important in ending the conflict in Kosovo. Because of this, some boys born in Kosovo after the war were named Toni or Tonibler.

On September 13, 2010, Blair received the Liberty Medal in Philadelphia. Former president Bill Clinton presented it to him. This award is given to people who work to secure freedom around the world.

On December 31, 2021, Queen Elizabeth II appointed Blair a Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter (KG). This is a very high honor. A petition against this knighthood, citing his role in the Iraq War, received over one million signatures. He received his Garter insignia from the Queen on June 10, 2022.

Books by Tony Blair

Blair, Tony (2024). On Leadership: Lessons for the 21st Century. London: Hutchinson Heinemann. ISBN: 9781529151510.
Blair, Tony (2010). A Journey. London: Random House. ISBN: 0-09-192555-X. .
Blair, Tony (2002). The Courage of Our Convictions. London: Fabian Society. ISBN: 0-7163-0603-4.
Blair, Tony (2000). Superpower: Not Superstate? (Federal Trust European Essays). London: Federal Trust for Education & Research. ISBN: 1-903403-25-1.
Blair, Tony (1998). The Third Way: New Politics for the New Century. London: Fabian Society. ISBN: 0-7163-0588-7.
Blair, Tony (1998). Leading the Way: New Vision for Local Government. London: Institute for Public Policy Research. ISBN: 1-86030-075-8.
Blair, Tony (1997). New Britain: My Vision of a Young Country. New York: Basic Books. ISBN: 0-8133-3338-5.
Blair, Tony (1995). Let Us Face the Future. London: Fabian Society. ISBN: 0-7163-0571-2.
Blair, Tony (1994). What Price a Safe Society?. London: Fabian Society. ISBN: 0-7163-0562-3.
Blair, Tony (1994). Socialism. London: Fabian Society. ISBN: 0-7163-0565-8.

Tony Blair facts for kids

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