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'''Tony Blair''', full name '''Anthony Charles Lynton Blair''' (born May 6, 1953) is the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.  He belongs to and is the current leader of the Labour Party, a self-described democratic [[socialist]] party<ref>[http://www.labour.org.uk/index.php?id=labourdemocracy]</ref>. He became leader in 1994, following the death of his predecessor, John Smith. He was a major figure in the modernisation of the party and the [[Labour party|New Labour]] movement, and led the party to a landslide victory in the 1997 general [[election]], ending 18 years of [[Conservative]] government.

'''Tony Blair''', full name '''Anthony Charles Lynton Blair''' (born May 6, 1953) is the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.  He belongs to and is the current leader of the Labour Party, a self-described democratic [[socialist]] party<ref>[http://www.labour.org.uk/index.php?id=labourdemocracy]</ref>. He became leader in 1994, following the death of his predecessor, John Smith, defeating current Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett (Deputy Leader under Smith) and current deputy Prime Minister John Prescott for the leadership. He was a major figure in the modernisation of the party and the [[Labour party|New Labour]] movement, and led the party to a landslide victory in the 1997 general [[election]], ending 18 years of [[Conservative]] government.  Labour easily won re-election in 2001 and, less convincingly, in 2005.

Tony Blair has stated he would step down as the party leader in time for the Trades Union Congress conference in September 2007 <ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/5322094.stm]</ref>.

Tony Blair has stated he would step down as the party leader in time for the Trades Union Congress conference in September 2007 <ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/5322094.stm]</ref>.

During Blair's tenure as Prime Minister, the [[Labour party|Labour]] government has introduced a national [[minimum wage]], in 1998, which has gradually been increased over time. Scotland has also gained a devolved Parliament, and attempts have been made to devolve power to the regions (although these have met with limited success).  

During Blair's tenure as Prime Minister, the [[Labour party|Labour]] government has introduced a national [[minimum wage]], in 1998, which has gradually been increased over time. Scotland has also gained a devolved Parliament, and Wales a devolved assembly, and attempts have been made to devolve power to the regions (although these have not been successful).  

One of the most controversial aspects of Blair's premiership has been his commitment to and support of the Iraq war, which has strongly divided opinion, both in the House and among the British people.

One of the most controversial aspects of Blair's premiership has been his commitment to and support of the Iraq war, which has strongly divided opinion, both in the House and among the British people.