Tony Blair
Born 1953 · Age 72
British politician; Leader of the Labour Party (1994–2007); Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (1997–2007); founded the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (2016); served as Quartet special envoy (2007–2015).
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Lauriston, Edinburgh
Anthony Charles Lynton Blair was born at Queen Mary Maternity Home in Lauriston, Edinburgh, Scotland.
Family relocated to Adelaide, Australia
At about nineteen months old Blair's family moved to Adelaide where his father lectured in law at the University of Adelaide.
Family returned to the UK and moved to Durham
Blair's family returned to the UK (mid-1958) and his father accepted a lecturing role at Durham University; the family moved to Durham when Tony was around five.
Started at the Chorister School
Attended the Chorister School (1961–1966) while the family lived in Durham.
Boarded at Fettes College
Sent to boarding school at the independent Fettes College in Edinburgh (attended 1966–1971).
Took a gap year in London
After leaving Fettes, Blair spent a gap year in London working as a rock music promoter.
Matriculated at St John's College, Oxford
Began reading jurisprudence at St John's College, University of Oxford.
Played in band 'Ugly Rumours' and performed comedy
While at Oxford he played guitar/sang in the rock band Ugly Rumours and performed stand-up comedy.
Graduated from Oxford (BA Jurisprudence)
Graduated from St John's College, Oxford with a second-class Honours B.A. in jurisprudence.
Mother Hazel Blair died
Blair's mother Hazel died aged 52 of thyroid cancer while he was at Oxford; a formative personal event.
Joined the Labour Party
Shortly after graduating, Blair joined the Labour Party and began to become active politically.
Called to the Bar (Lincoln's Inn) / pupil barrister
Trained at the Inns of Court School of Law and completed pupillage at Lincoln's Inn; met future wife Cherie Booth at 11 King's Bench Walk Chambers.
Married Cherie Booth
Tony Blair married Cherie Booth (a barrister) in 1980; the couple later had four children.
Stood in Beaconsfield by-election
Selected as Labour candidate for the Conservative stronghold of Beaconsfield; lost the 1982 by-election but gained profile within the party.
Elected MP for Sedgefield
Elected Member of Parliament for the newly created Sedgefield constituency in County Durham in the 1983 general election.
Maiden speech in House of Commons
Delivered his maiden speech on 6 July 1983, stating his reasons for being a socialist.
Appointed assistant Treasury spokesman
Neil Kinnock appointed Blair as assistant Treasury spokesman under Roy Hattersley (Shadow Chancellor).
Appeared on BBC's Question Time and raised Bank of England inquiry
In May 1985 Blair appeared on Question Time and later demanded inquiry into the Bank of England's rescue of Johnson Matthey bank (Oct 1985).
Elected to Labour Shadow Cabinet
Stood for and won election to the Shadow Cabinet, receiving 71 votes (1987).
Entered Shadow Cabinet roles (1987–1994 period)
Held various shadow cabinet posts across 1987–1994 including energy (1988–89) and employment (1989–92).
Promoted to Shadow Trade & Industry spokesman (City brief)
In 1988 Blair was promoted to the shadow Trade and Industry team, taking responsibility for City of London matters.
Appointed Shadow Home Secretary
John Smith appointed Blair shadow home secretary in 1992.
Appointed to the Privy Council
As Leader of the Opposition, Blair was appointed a Privy Counsellor (customary for office holder).
Death of Labour leader John Smith
John Smith died suddenly of a heart attack on 12 May 1994, triggering a leadership contest.
Elected Leader of the Labour Party
Blair won the Labour leadership election on 21 July 1994, defeating John Prescott and Margaret Beckett (57.0% overall).
Clause IV replaced / party rebrand to New Labour
At a special conference in April 1995 the Labour Party replaced Clause IV, part of Blair's New Labour modernising agenda.
Published 'New Labour, New Life for Britain' manifesto
The 1996 manifesto set out the 'Third Way' centrist approach and New Labour branding ahead of the 1997 election.
Bank of England granted operational independence
Early in the new government (1997) Gordon Brown (Chancellor) gave the Bank of England autonomy to set interest rates.
Labour landslide at 1997 general election
Labour won a landslide victory (largest in party history). The campaign yielded 418 seats and a parliamentary majority of 179.
Became Prime Minister
Tony Blair accepted the Queen's invitation to form a government and became Prime Minister on 2 May 1997; youngest 20th-century PM.
Human Rights Act introduced
During his first term Blair's government introduced the Human Rights Act (1998), incorporating the ECHR into UK law.
Good Friday Agreement signed
Blair helped negotiate the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement (10 April 1998), a landmark in the Northern Ireland peace process.
Intervention in Kosovo and National Minimum Wage introduced
Blair oversaw UK intervention in Kosovo (1999); his government also introduced a national minimum wage (1999).
House of Lords hereditary peers largely removed
As part of constitutional reform Blair's government removed all but 92 hereditary peers in 1999.
UK military action in Sierra Leone (2000)
Blair authorised UK military involvement in Sierra Leone in 2000; the intervention was widely viewed as successful.
Britain joined Afghanistan campaign
Blair supported US policy and ensured British Armed Forces participated in the 2001 Afghanistan campaign to overthrow the Taliban and target al-Qaeda.
Won second term in 2001 general election
Labour won a second landslide victory in the 2001 general election and Blair began his second term as PM.
9/11 terrorist attacks
The 11 September 2001 attacks shaped Blair's second term and led to his close alignment with the US 'war on terror'.
139 Labour MPs opposed Iraq invasion
During debates over the Iraq War, 139 of Blair's own MPs opposed the invasion — a significant parliamentary rebellion figure.
Supported and committed UK forces to 2003 Iraq invasion
Blair supported the US-led invasion of Iraq in March 2003; the decision was highly controversial and led to major political fallout.
Won third term in 2005 general election
Blair led Labour to a third consecutive general election victory in May 2005 but with a substantially reduced majority of 66.
London bombings (7/7) — surge in popularity
Following Islamist suicide bombings in London on 7 July 2005 Blair experienced a temporary surge in public support.
Announced intention to resign within a year
In 2006 Blair announced he would step down within a year, beginning the formal process of leadership transition.
Faced Home Office deportation scandals and Cash-for-Honours scrutiny
By spring 2006 Blair faced difficulties over Home Office failures to deport illegal immigrants and was interviewed (as witness) in the Cash-for-Honours matter.
Founded Tony Blair Sports Foundation
Established a sports foundation aimed at increasing youth engagement in sport and tackling childhood obesity (foundation later closed after a decade).
Resigned as Labour Party leader
Blair resigned the leadership of the Labour Party on 24 June 2007, triggering transfer of the role to Gordon Brown.
Resigned as Prime Minister
Tony Blair stepped down as Prime Minister on 27 June 2007 and was succeeded by Chancellor Gordon Brown.
Appointed Special Envoy of the Quartet on the Middle East
On 27 June 2007 Blair became the Quartet's (UN, US, EU, Russia) special envoy for the Middle East, a post he held to 27 May 2015.
Launched Tony Blair Faith Foundation and Africa Governance Initiative (AGI)
In 2008 Blair launched the Tony Blair Faith Foundation and the Africa Governance Initiative to promote interfaith understanding and governance support in Africa.
Took advisory roles with Zurich Insurance and JPMorgan Chase
Blair joined Zurich Insurance as climate change advisor and JPMorgan Chase as senior political and strategic adviser; 2008 annual income reported at £7,000,000.
Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom
US President George W. Bush awarded Blair the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009.
Published memoir 'A Journey' and received Liberty Medal
Blair published his bestselling memoir 'A Journey' in 2010 and was awarded the Liberty Medal (including a $100,000 prize he donated to his charities).
Ended role as Quartet Special Envoy
Blair's tenure as special envoy of the Quartet on the Middle East ended on 27 May 2015.
Public and historical reputation fluctuates
Post-premiership, Blair remained a polarising figure: historically rated above average but viewed both among most popular and most unpopular British politicians at different times.
Iraq Inquiry (Chilcot) report criticised Blair's role
The Iraq Inquiry report of 2016 gave a damning assessment of Blair's role in the decision to go to war in Iraq.
Continued political influence (e.g., on Keir Starmer)
Blair made occasional political interventions after 2016 and remained a key influence on Labour leader Keir Starmer.
Founded Tony Blair Institute for Global Change and became Executive Chairman
Blair founded the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change and assumed the role of Executive Chairman on 1 December 2016.
Made Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter
Queen Elizabeth II (honour announced/awarded around 2021–2022) made Blair a Knight Companion of the Garter.
Ongoing: Executive Chairman, Tony Blair Institute for Global Change
Blair continues to serve as Executive Chairman of the Tony Blair Institute, engaged in global policy, governance and advisory work.
Key Achievement Ages
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