Unrepentant Blair shows he has learned nothing, forgotten nothing |
I found myself obliged to watch the Channel 4 documentary on Tony Blair.
During the first two terms of his administration, I was a firm supporter of this young, reforming prime minister. He brought a new type of energy to the role, and his cabinet contained real heavyweights – or ‘big beasts’ (something noticeably missing from the current Labour government).
I was so enthralled by Blair that I even took him at his word when he commenced the joint enterprise with America and launched the war in Iraq.
Of course, the whole rationale behind the calamitous war was untrue. But more of that later.
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Blair’s greatest achievement was overseeing the Good Friday Agreement (GFA) along with Bertie Ahern and George Mitchell.
This is something which can never be taken away from the reputation of any of these individuals. Between them, they created the conditions for peace and cut through the Gordian knot which held the north back for decades.
Though credit must be given to John Major and Albert Reynolds for taking bigger risks for peace and laying the foundations for the GFA.
Tony Blair with George Mitchell and Bertie Ahern in 1998 (John Stillwell/PA)Blair as PM had domestic wins too: record levels of investment in education and health, the creation of the national minimum wage, civil partnerships and equality legislation, Sure Start, House of Lords reform, the Climate Change Act, Human Rights Act, and devolution.
On balance, Blair was a good leader but not a great one like Churchill or Attlee. Electorally, he was the most successful of all Labour leaders.
Unfortunately, like Thatcher before him, he stayed on too long. When people sup from the cup of power, they get intoxicated – even addicted. Blair was no exception.
He also seemed to have a weakness for surrounding himself with lieutenants who reinforced his unparalleled self-belief, but his partnership with his Chancellor, Gordon Brown, was actually pivotal to his success.
Blair became rather imperious as a prime minister and at times acted as if he was messianic. This quality may have spurred on true believers, but the public were becoming increasingly frustrated with his style.
The glitz was starting to fade on Cool Britannia. After the Iraqi War, even D:Ream banned Labour from using their song (Things Can Only Get Better) as an anthem.
The Channel 4 documentary, in my opinion, was light-touch. It was stacked with comments from predictable players from amongst Blair’s critics and fans.
The critics included Jeremy Corbyn and Claire Short. The latter was quite measured, while Corbyn was Corbyn – although it appears as if he has the same levels of self-righteousness and self-regard as Blair himself.
Tony Blair welcomes American President George W Bush to the first meeting of the G8 Summit in 2015 (Stefan Rousseau/PA)The fan club included Blair’s inner sanctum – the much-criticised former press spokesperson Tom Kelly (often confused with this columnist), the dogmatic chief of spin Alastair Campbell, and the rather posh Jonathan Powell.
And, of course, there was also the polarising and wholly discredited figure of Peter Mandelson, whom Blair rewarded frequently with top posts.
There’s little doubt that the documentary would have fared better for Blair had the Prince of the Dark Arts not been so prominent.
The programme came across as more of a hagiography rather than any in-depth analysis or interrogation of his time in office. This may have been necessary to get the cooperation of the Blair family.
Cherie Blair appeared a tad tetchy but obviously is a formidable lady. She seemed more in touch with reality than her husband.
To have cooperated with such a programme – and despite his uncompromising self-belief – Blair is clearly concerned about his legacy, which at best is tarnished.
He is as unrepentant as ever over Iraq. He clearly still believes it was the right thing to do.
Right or wrong, he has to live with the consequences of a bloody war for which he will forever be associated.
The up-close camera shots of Blair sitting uncomfortably alone during the interview suggests there is pain etched in his face.
Whether he acknowledges it or not – the war was a mistake – the greater mistake was not being prepared for the fallout in the aftermath.
As Labour now languishes in the polls and the prime minister seems bunkered in Number 10, party activists will be feeling a bit nostalgic following the Blair documentary, hoping that some of the Blair magic can rub off on the current administration.
But they should remember that not everything Blair touched turned to gold. They should beware the warning to Lot’s wife about looking back.
Blair was genuinely charismatic but now is like a fading pop star on yet another final world tour. He failed miserably in his role as Middle East peace envoy.
So it’s wholly inexcusable and inexplicable as to why he would join Trump’s farcical facade of a peace board stacked with autocrats, dictators and hucksters out to make a fortune from the plight of the people of Gaza.
The Tony Blair of 1997 would have called out Trump’s charade and not cosied up to it. As Talleyrand said of the return of the Bourbon royal family, “Ils n’ont rien appris, ne rien oublié”, Blair in 2026 would also appear to have ‘learned nothing, forgotten nothing’.
Former politicians never quite adjust to being out of office. Just look at Liz Truss.
Blair should settle for a legacy of his glass being half full.
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