|image=Tblair.jpg
|seq=73
|term_start=May 2 , 1997|term_end=June 24 27, 2007
|previous=John Major
|party=Labour Party
|next=Gordon Brown
|birth_date=May 6 , 1953
|birth_place=Edinburgh
|death_date=
|death_place=
|spouse=[[Cherie Blair|Cherie Booth]]
|spouse2=
|religion=[[Roman Catholic]]
}}
'''Anthony Charles Lynton "Tony " Blair''', (born Anthony Charles Lynton Blair, May 6, 1953) is a former [[Prime Minister]] of the [[United Kingdom]]. The [[Labour Party]]'s longest-serving Prime Minister, he served from May 2, 1997 to June 27, 2007, succeeding the Conservative Party's [[John Major]] and preceding [[Gordon Brown]]. Blair is also the only person to have led the Labour Party to three consecutive general election victories, and the only Labour Prime Minister to serve more than one full consecutive term. Over the protest of the Old Left he abandoned most of the leftover leftist ideas in the Labour Party, endorsed the market solutions promulgated by [[Conservative Party]] Prime Minister [[Margaret Thatcher]] in the 1980s, and, as a close ally of the United States under [[Bill Clinton]] and [[George W. Bush]], he strongly endorsed the invasion of Iraq in 2003. == Personal ==The son of a barrister and lecturer Leo Blair, Tony Blair was born in [[Edinburgh]], but spent most of his childhood in Durham. At the age of 14 he returned to Edinburgh to finish his education at Fettes College. Blair was known as a cheeky, rebellious, and argumentative schoolboy, and at 17 he was threatened with expulsion for persistently breaking school rules.<ref name="bbc">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/6506365.stm The Tony Blair Story] BBC News 10 May 2007</ref>. After leaving Fettes with three A levels he studied law at [[Oxford University]], and went on to become a barrister (Lincoln's Inn) himself, before entering politics. Blair married his wife, [[Liverpool]]-born Cherie Booth QC a barrister and daughter of the actor Tony Booth, in 1980, and they have four children.
Blair is a competent guitar player and at university was a member of a rock band called Ugly Rumours. His favourite music includes Though committed to [[The Beatlesglobalism]], Blair abandoned some of the most [[The Rolling Stonesfar-left]], ideas in the Labour Party and endorsed the [[Led Zeppelinfree market]], solutions promulgated by [[Free (band)|FreeConservative Party]], Prime Minister [[Bruce SpringsteenMargaret Thatcher]]. In the 1980s, as a close ally of the United States under [[U2Bill Clinton]], and [[ColdplayGeorge W. Bush]], Blair strongly endorsed the invasion of [[Iraq]] in 2003. The Foo Fightersdecline of [[London]], and from its preeminence as the center of the [[Simply RedBritish Empire]]occurred largely under Blair's push for globalism.<ref name="bbc" />
While Blair rarely discusses his religious faith in public - and had been advised by his spokesman Alistair Campbell that "<i>We don't do God, Mate</i>" <ref>s [[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2003/05/05/dl0501.xml A Question of FaithChristian]] [[faith]] Daily Telegraph 5 May 2003</ref> - he is a convinced Christian<!--This needs to be examined: I think that he was criticized more because he often acted hypocritically, choosing to portray himself as a religious man only when it suited his political diary, a fact for which he is often criticised or mocked downplayed by British commentators-->. His wife Cherie is a Catholic and Blair converted to Catholicism in 2007.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7157409.stm Tony Blair joins Catholic Church] BBC News 22 December 2007</ref>==Career==He was elected to the Labour Party leadership in 1994 following the unexpected death of his predecessor, John Smith. As well as being leader of the Labour Party and Prime Minister, Blair also served as the [[Member of Parliament|MPatheist]] for Sedgefield, a constituency ic culture in [[County DurhamBritain]] in north-east England.
Following his departure from officeTony Blair is an "agenda contributor" for the [[World Economic Forum]]. A medical tyrant, during the Chinese Communist Party pandemic in 2021, Blair converted to pushed for an extremely authoritarian [[Roman Catholicismapartheid]]of those who refused experimental [[COVID vaccines]]. At the 2023 WEF Davos meeting, Blair called for "digital vaccine tracking".<ref>[https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2023/01/21/pure- evil-tony-blair-calls-for-digital-vaccine-tracking-at-davos-ahead-of-new-slew-of-injectables/ ‘Pure Evil’ — Tony Blair Calls for Digital Vaccine Tracking at Davos Ahead of ‘New Slew of Injectables’]</ref>== Personal ==The son of barrister and lecturer Leo Blair and his wife Hazel, Tony Blair was born in [[Edinburgh]], but spent most of his childhood in Durham. Blair has an older brother, Sir William, and a conversion younger sister, Sarah. At the age of 14 he returned to Edinburgh to finish his education at Fettes College. Blair was known as a cheeky, rebellious, and argumentative schoolboy, and at 17 he had not previously made was threatened with expulsion for fear persistently breaking school rules.<ref name="bbc">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/6506365.stm The Tony Blair Story] BBC News 10 May 2007</ref> After leaving Fettes with three A levels he studied law at [[Oxford University]], and went on to become a barrister (Lincoln's Inn) himself, before entering politics. Blair married his wife, [[Liverpool]]-born Cherie Booth QC, a barrister and daughter of political repercussionsthe actor Tony Booth, in 1980, and they have four children.
Blair is a competent guitar player and at university was a member of a rock band called Ugly Rumours. His favourite music includes [[The Beatles]], [[The Rolling Stones]], [[Led Zeppelin]], Free, [[Bruce Springsteen]], [[U2]], Coldplay, The Foo Fighters, and Simply Red.<ref name="bbc" />
==While Blairrarely discusses his religious [[faith]] in public - and had been advised by his spokesman Alistair Campbell that "We don's t do [[God]], mate"<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2003/05/05/dl0501.xml A Question of Faith] Daily Telegraph 5 May 2003</ref> - he is a claimed Christian<!--This needs to be examined: I think that he was criticized more because he often acted hypocritically, choosing to portray himself as a religious man only when it suited his political career==diary, a fact for which he is often criticised or mocked by British commentators-->. His wife Cherie is a [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic]] and Blair converted to Catholicism in 2007.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7157409.stm Tony Blair joins Catholic Church] BBC News 22 December 2007</ref>
A combination ==Career==He was elected to the Labour Party leadership in 1994 following the unexpected death of his predecessor, John Smith. As well as being leader of the Labour Party's new-found moderationand Prime Minister, Blair's personal popularity and the deep unpopularity of also served as the Conservatives under [[John MajorMember of Parliament|MP]] resulted in for Sedgefield, a landslide victory for Blair and his party constituency in the 1997 general [[electionCounty Durham]], ending 18 years of [[Conservative]] government. Labour easily won re-election in 2001 and in 2005, although with lossesnortheast England.
While ==Blair's political career==A combination of the Labour Party is a self-described "democratic's newfound moderation, Blair's personal popularity and the deep unpopularity of the Conservatives under [[socialistJohn Major]] resulted in a landslide victory for Blair and his party"<ref>[http://wwwin the 1997 general election, ending 18 years of Conservative government.labourBlair led Labour to easy triumphs in the 2001 and 2005 elections.org.uk/how_we_work While the Labour: How we work]</ref>Party still carries the old tag of a "socialist party", Blair eradicated most elements of socialism and committed his government to capitalism and private ownership. Blair coined the phrases "[[New Labour]]" and "[[The Third Way]]" to distinguish his own pro-[[business]] policies from the more [[collectivist]] platform of his leftist predecessors. He was criticized often attacked by some more left-wing members of the Labour Party for "selling out" to conservative thinking, particularly in his support for privatisation and cooperating closely in the foreign policy of the [[United States]] in the [[Iraq War]]. On the other hand, some of Blair's policies were decidedly [[liberal]] by American standards: they have included increases in taxation, increases in government spending (particularly on public schools and Britain's [[National Health Service|public healthcare system]]), the introduction and subsequent increases of a minimum wage, and support for equal rights for gay peoplehomosexuals.
==Blair's policies==
During Blair's tenure as Prime Minister, the [[Labour party|Labour]] government made the Bank of England independent, allowing them to set the nation's interest rates (which had previously been set by the Chancellor of the Exchequer), and introduced a national [[minimum wage]] in 1998, which has gradually been increased over time. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland gained their own legislatures, and limited attempts were been made to devolve power to the regions of England (although outside of [[London]] these were not successful). Blair's government also banned fox-hunting, cigarette smoking in public places and public demonstrations within 1 kilometre of Parliament, as well as prepared the way for a national identity card and increased the time suspects can be held in police custody without charge to 28 days. His government was also notable for legislating an equal age of consent for homosexual acts, [[Civil union|civil partnership]] laws, and the abolition of [[Section 28]] (a measure introduced by the previous Conservative administration which prohibited the promotion of homosexuality in schools).
During The most controversial aspects of Blair's tenure as Prime Minister, premiership was his unstinting support for the [[Labour party|LabourIraq war]] government made the Bank of England independent, allowing them to set despite strong opposition from the nation's interest rates (which had previously been set by the Chancellor of the Exchequer), and has introduced a national [[minimum wage]], in 1998, which has gradually been increased over timefar left. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have gained their own legislatures, and limited attempts have been made to devolve power to He won the regions endorsement of England (although outside majorities of [[London]] these have not been successful). Blair's government has also banned fox-hunting, cigarette smoking in public places and public demonstrations within 1 kilometre of Parliament, as well as preparing both the way for a national identity card Labour Party and increasing the time that suspects can be held in police custody without charge to 28 days. His government was also notable for legislating an equal age of consent for homosexuals, civil partnership laws, and the abolition of Clause 28 (a measure introduced by the previous Conservative administration which prohibited the promotion of homosexuality in schools). One of the most controversial aspects of BlairParty MP's premiership was been for his commitment to and support of the policies in Iraq war, which strongly divided opinion, both in Parliament and among the British people. His strong support of America and President foreign policy is often described as [[George W. Bushneoconservative]] in particular have set him apart from most European leaders, especially with the parties of the left, including his own Labour Party, which have shown opposition to America's policies. This came at considerable political cost with his own popularity suffering greatly, and the Government lost considerable support in the 2005 general election as a result.
==Blair and the media==
In the 1990s in particular, Blair was seen as a charismatic leader, with formidable media performing skills. His most famous television appearance was his tribute to [[Diana, Princess of Wales]] on the morning after her death in August 1997, in which he described her as "<i>''the People's Princess</i>''" and "<i>''the Queen of Hearts</i>''". Blair has, however, acquired a reputation for excessive news management, and even for dishonesty, particularly after the Iraq War.[[Image:Blair MedalOfFreedom2.jpg|right|thumb|300px|President George Bush applauds former Prime Minister Tony Blair at the ceremony honoring Mr. Blair as recipient of the 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom.]]
Blair was criticized by more liberal opponents for his close association with conservative News Corp. owner [[Rupert Murdoch]], and the positive press they believed he received in return.
He is also the only Prime Minister to provide his own voice in an episode of ''[[The Simpsons]]'', in the episode "<i>''The Regina Monologues</i>''".
== Presidential Medal of Freedom ==
[[Image:Blair MedalOfFreedom2.jpg|right|thumb|300px|President George Bush applauds former Prime Minister Tony Blair at the ceremony honoring Mr. Blair as recipient of the 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom.]]
On January 13, 2009, Blair received the [[Presidential Medal of Freedom]] in a [[White House]] ceremony from United States President [[George W. Bush]]. The medal is America's highest civil award. It is given in recognition of exemplary achievement, and to convey the utmost esteem of the people and the President of the [[United States of America]]. The citation read:
:Tony Blair has been a powerful force for freedom and for building understanding among nations. As Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, he was instrumental in helping millions of people secure their freedom in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kosovo, and Sierra Leone; forging a new era of peace in Northern Ireland; providing humanitarian assistance around the globe, especially in Africa; and strengthening the special relationship between our two nations. Throughout his career, and in his role as Quartet Representative to the Middle East, he has worked to provide people with opportunities to better their lives. The United States honors Tony Blair for his lifelong dedication to building a more just and peaceful world.
[[File:Biden Imbecile.PNG|right|300px|thumb|''Sunday Mirror'', August 22, 2021.<ref>https://www.pressreader.com/uk/sunday-mirror/20210822/page/1</ref>]] ==See AlsoPost-political career == After his political career, Blair founded the religious Tony Blair Faith Foundation<ref>https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2008/may/30/tonyblair.religion</ref> in 2008 to counter extremism within multiple religions, Blair strongly supported the globalist and socialist [[European Union]], and stated that ''It's necessary that Brexit doesn't happen''<ref>https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/07/15/tony-blair-necessary-brexit-doesnt-happen/</ref> and has called for more power to European institutions and more immigration.<ref>https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/644765/Tony-Blair-EU-referendum-Britain-surrender-powers-Brussels-mass-migration-good-UK</ref> During the August 2021 [[Fall of Kabul]] to the [[Taliban]], Blair slammed U.S. [[Democrat]] socialist leader [[Joe Biden]] as an imbecile..<ref>https://archive.is/2D8am#selection-491.1-491.56</ref>
==See also==
* [[British politics]]
* [[Labour Party]]
*Abse, Leo. ''Tony Blair: The Man Behind the Smile.'' (2001); nasty attack from the Old Left.
*Beckett F, Hencke D. ''The Survivor: Tony Blair in Peace and War .'' (2006) prize winning book by investigative journalists
*Naughtie, James. ''The Accidental American: Tony Blair and the Presidency.'' (2001); [httphttps://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A21050-2004Sep14.html Interview in ''The Washington Post.'']]
*Riddell, Peter. ''The Unfulfilled Prime Minister: Tony Blair and the End of Optimism.'' (2004)
*Seldon, Anthony. ''Blair.'' (2004) [http://www.cerium.ca/article944.html#ouverture "Tony Blair in History"]
*Stephens, Philip. ''Tony Blair: The Making of a World Leader.'' (2004) by a senior editor of The ''Financial Times.'' Review [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_hb5037/is_200402/ai_n18261022 Argues that for Blair, "ending the tyranny in Iraq was a moral cause fully in accord with the teachings on just wars of Saint Augustine and Thomas Aquinas." * Temple, Michael. ''Blair'' (British Prime Ministers of the 20th Century) (2006) [httphttps://www.amazon.com/Blair-British-Prime-Ministers-Century/dp/1904950736/ref=sr_1_2/104-1795140-9172706?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1186882938&sr=8-2 excerpt online]
==Scholarly studies==
* Bevir, Mark and Rhodes, R. A. W. (2006) "Prime Ministers, Presidentialism and Westminster Smokescreens." ''Political Studies'' 54:671-90. Issn 0032-3217 Fulltext: [[Ebsco]]
* Bartle, John, and Anthony King. ''Britain at the Polls, 2005'' (2005) [httphttps://www.amazon.com/Britain-Polls-2005/dp/1933116633/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1195375016&sr=8-3 excerpt and text search]
* Fielding, Steven. ''The Labour Party: Continuity and Change in the Making of New Labour.'' (2003) argues the Labour Party under Blair has been faithful to its past, and represents "traditional values in a modern setting."
* Foley, Michael. ''John Major, Tony Blair and a Conflict of Leadership: Collision Course.'' Manchester University Press, 212 pp. (2003)
* Foley, Michael. ''The British Presidency: Tony Blair and the Politics of Public Leadership'' (2001)
* Gardner, Lloyd C. "'Damned High Wire,' on the Special Relationship That Unites Bush and Blair in Iraq." ''Journal of Transatlantic Studies'' (2005) 3(1 Supplement):43-62. Issn: 1479-4012 Fulltext: [[Ebsco]]
* Giddens, Anthony. ''The Third Way: The Renewal of Social Democracy'' (1998) [httphttps://www.amazon.com/Third-Way-Renewal-Democracy-European/dp/0745622674/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1195375436&sr=8-1 excerpt and text search], by influential advisor to Blair
* Hill, Paul T. "Lessons from Blair's School Reforms." ''Policy Review,'' No. 131, 2005. [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5012121395 online edition]
* Jones, Nicholas. ''Sultans of Spin: The Media and the New Labour Government''. (2000)
* King, Anthony, ed. ''New Labour Triumphs: Britain at the Polls.'' (1998) , 259pp. political science [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=87571616 online edition]
* King, Anthony, ed. ''Britain at the Polls: 2001'' (2001)
* Needham, Catherine. "Brand Leaders: Clinton, Blair and the Limitations of the Permanent Campaign." ''Political Studies'' (2005) 53:343-61. Issn: 0032-3217 Fulltext: [[Ebsco]]
* Norton, Bruce F. ''Politics in Britain'' (2007) textbook [httphttps://www.amazon.com/Politics-Britain-Bruce-F-Norton/dp/0871879247/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1195375016&sr=8-13 excerpt and text search]
* Reitan, Earl A. ''The Thatcher Revolution: Margaret Thatcher, John Major, and Tony Blair, and the Transformation of Modern Britain, 1979-2001.'' (2003) 260 pp.
* Rubinstein, David. ''The Labour Party and British Society: 1880-2005.'' (2005) 228 pp.
===Memoirs===
*Campbell, Alastair (2007) ''The Blair Years: The Alastair Campbell Diaries.'' Knopf, ISBN 0307268314. By the controversial Press Secretary to Tony Blair.
*Gould, Philip (1999) ''The Unfinished Revolution: How the Modernisers Saved the Labour Party.'' Abacus, ISBN 0-349-11177-4.
==External links==
* [httphttps://www.economist.com/opinion/displaystory.cfm?story_id=9149782 ''The Economist'' "Tony Blair: How will history judge him?" leader published May 10th 2007 online]
*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/uk_politics/2007/blair_years/default.stm The Blair Years 1997-2007] - BBC articles covering major events of Tony Blair's premiership, with analysis.
*[http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/b/tony_blair/index.html The New York Times] - Includes short biography and links to ''NY Times'' articles relating to Tony Blair.
==References==
<references/>
{{UKPrimeMinisters}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Blair, Tony}}
[[Category:British Politics]]
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[[Category:Presidential Medal of Freedom award winners]]
[[Category:British People]]
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[[Category:Medical tyranny]]
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