Sir Anthony Charles Lynton Blair , Born on May 6, 1953, He is a British politician who led the Labour Party from 1994 to 2007 and was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1997 to 2007. In addition, he served in a number of shadow cabinet roles from 1987 to 1994 and as Leader of the Opposition from 1994 to 1997. From 1983 to 2007, Blair was a Member of Parliament (MP) for the Sedgefield constituency in County Durham. From 2007 to 2015, he was the Quartet's special envoy to the Middle East

In office 2 May 1997 – 27 June 2007
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Deputy	John Prescott
Preceded by	John Major
Succeeded by	Gordon Brown
In office 27 June 2007 – 27 May 2015
Preceded by	James Wolfensohn
Succeeded by	Kito de Boer
In office 21 July 1994 – 2 May 1997
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Prime Minister	John Major
Deputy	John Prescott
Preceded by	Margaret Beckett
Succeeded by	John Major
In office 21 July 1994 – 24 June 2007
Deputy	John Prescott
Preceded by	John Smith
Succeeded by	Gordon Brown
In office 9 June 1983 – 27 June 2007
Preceded by	Constituency established
Succeeded by	Phil Wilson
Personal details
Born	Anthony Charles Lynton Blair 6 May 1953 (age 71) Edinburgh, Scotland
Political party	Labour
Spouse	Cherie Booth (m. 1980) 1980​
Children	4, including Euan and Nicky
Parent	Leo Blair (father)
Relatives	William Blair (brother)
Education	Chorister School Fettes College
Alma mater	St John's College, Oxford (BA)

He is the longest-serving prime minister of the Labour Party and the second-longest prime minister in post-war Britain, after Margaret Thatcher. The only person in history to guide the Labour Party to three straight general election victories is Blair.

Before becoming a licensed barrister, Blair attended Fettes College for his education and St. John's College, Oxford, for his legal studies. In 1983, he joined the Labour Party and won a seat in the House of Commons. Blair was a backbencher who supported the party's move to the center of politics. In 1988, he joined Neil Kinnock's shadow cabinet, and in 1992, he was named shadow home secretary. Blair was elected leader to succeed John Smith after his death in 1994, and he started the party's "New Labour" rebranding.

Following Labour's historic landslide victory in 1997—the first Labour victory in almost 23 years—Blair became the youngest prime minister of the 20th century. He implemented market-based reforms, raised public spending on healthcare and education, enacted constitutional reforms, established a minimum wage, and raised tuition fees for higher education during his first term. In addition, he oversaw the successful military interventions in Kosovo and Sierra Leone, promoted LGBT+ rights, and backed the peace process in Northern Ireland through the Good Friday Agreement.

The terrorist attacks of 9/11 cast a shadow over Blair's victory for a second term in 2001. Due to the erroneous assumption that Saddam Hussein had al-Qaeda ties and possessed WMDs, the UK became involved in the War on Terror, which included the invasion of Afghanistan and the contentious 2003 invasion of Iraq. Blair's popularity declined as a result of the Iraq War, particularly after the 2016 Iraq Inquiry and growing casualties, which questioned his involvement in the conflict.

Blair's continued involvement in the Iraq War and a string of domestic scandals, such as the Home Office's failure to deport illegal immigrants, hurt his popularity even though he was elected to a third term in 2005. Following his announcement that he would resign within a year amid the Cash-for-Honours scandal, Blair left his position as prime minister in June 2007 and was succeeded by Gordon Brown.

Blair resigned his seat in parliament after leaving office and was named the Quartet's special envoy to the Middle East, a position he maintained until 2015. He has continued to have an impact on British politics, especially under Labour leader Keir Starmer, since he was appointed executive chairman of the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change in 2016. George W. Bush awarded Blair the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009, and Queen Elizabeth II named him a Knight Companion of the Garter in 2022. Blair's approval ratings varied greatly during his premiership, making him both extremely popular and extremely unpopular. In terms of public opinion and historical rankings, he is typically considered an above-average British prime minister.

Early Life

On May 6, 1953, Anthony Charles Lynton Blair was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, at Queen Mary Maternity Home. He was Leo and Hazel (née Corscadden) Blair's second son. James Blair, a shipyard worker, and his wife, Mary, adopted Leo Blair as a baby. He is the son of two entertainers. Hazel Corscadden was the daughter of George Corscadden, an Orangeman and butcher who had left Ireland for Glasgow in 1916 before coming back to Ballyshannon, County Donegal, in 1923. Blair's mother was born above the family grocery store in Ballyshannon.

Blair has a younger sister named Sarah and an older brother named William. His father, who was pursuing a law degree at the University of Edinburgh, was a junior tax inspector at Paisley Terrace in the Willowbrae neighborhood of Edinburgh, where his family first resided.

At the end of 1954, Blair's family relocated to Adelaide, South Australia, when he was 19 months old. His father taught law at the University of Adelaide there. During their stay in Australia, Blair's sister, Sarah, was born, and the family moved to the Dulwich suburb near the university. The Blairs moved back to the UK in the middle of 1958, living in Stepps, close to Glasgow, with Hazel's mother and stepfather. When Blair was five years old, his father was hired as a lecturer at Durham University, and the family moved to Durham. Blair's long association with Durham began with this.

Since he was young, Blair has been a fan of Newcastle United Football Club.

Prime Minister (1997–2007)

On May 2, 1997, at the age of 43, Tony Blair was elected Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, becoming the youngest person to hold the position since Lord Liverpool in 1812. In addition, he was the first prime minister to be born following World War II and Queen Elizabeth II's coronation. Blair was the longest-serving prime minister of the Labour Party, serving until 2007. He was also the first to lead the party to three consecutive general election victories in 1997, 2001, and 2005.

Northern Ireland

Blair's involvement in the peace process in Northern Ireland, especially the Good Friday Agreement, which contributed to the end of 30 years of fighting, was one of his greatest accomplishments. He received a lot of recognition for his efforts to unite disparate political groups, and his leadership played a key role in this regard. Blair showed his dedication to peace in Northern Ireland by visiting the scene and speaking with victims of the 1998 Omagh bombing, which claimed 29 lives.

Military Intervention and the War on Terror

More than any other prime minister in history, Blair issued five orders for British military action in his first six years in office. Actions in Kosovo (1999), Sierra Leone (2000), Afghanistan (2001), and Iraq (1998 and 2003) were among these interventions.

Blair was a fervent supporter of morally justified military action, particularly during the Kosovo War, when he pushed for the use of ground forces to deal with the situation and eventually assisted in mediating a settlement through NATO intervention. He was also commended for his actions in Sierra Leone in 2000, where British forces were instrumental in stabilizing the nation.

Blair's choices about the Iraq War, especially the 2003 invasion, were widely criticized, though. Blair firmly backed the U.S.-led invasion, citing the need to disarm Saddam Hussein and the threat posed by WMDs, despite strong public opposition and internal party dissent. This choice came under heavy criticism, with many claiming that the intelligence supporting the invasion was faulty. As a result, people like former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and playwright Harold Pinter accused the government of war crimes.

In 2010, Blair defended the invasion by saying that even in the absence of WMD evidence, he would have backed regime change in Iraq. Although Blair himself persisted in defending his choice, the 2016 Chilcot Inquiry criticized his involvement in the Iraq War and found that the invasion was a mistake. Blair expressed regret for some of the war's errors in a 2015 interview, admitting that they might have aided in the emergence of ISIS. He did not, however, express regret for his invasion choice

Relationship with Parliament

Restructuring the Prime Minister's Questions (PMQ) format was one of Tony Blair's first actions as prime minister. He instituted a single 30-minute session on Wednesdays in place of the previous twice-weekly 15-minute sessions. Blair also instituted monthly press conferences to answer questions from reporters in addition to PMQs. Blair also defied convention starting in 2002 by testifying twice a year before the Liaison Committee, a Commons select committee that gave MPs direct access to his testimony.

Blair's interactions with Parliament and his coworkers, however, were criticized. He was frequently charged with not listening enough to the opinions of the House of Commons and his Cabinet. Because he seemed to centralize power and rely heavily on spin and media management, his leadership style was sometimes compared to that of a president rather than a prime minister, which sparked accusations of excessive manipulation. He was actually the first prime minister of the United Kingdom to be questioned by police while still in office, albeit without being placed under caution

Events Leading to Resignation

Blair faced growing criticism during his tenure in office, especially for his role in the Iraq War. Blair's popularity declined sharply after he was accused of deceiving Parliament over the growing number of Iraqi casualties. As dissatisfaction grew, Labour's majority was trimmed from 167 seats to 66 seats at the 2005 election. Blair faced mounting pressure to resign due to the Iraq War, the Blair–Brown pact, and dwindling public support.

His reputation was further harmed in 2006 when numerous Members of Parliament from his own party chastised him for not calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Lebanon conflict. Blair declared on September 7, 2006, that he would resign as prime minister by the time of the 2007 conference of the Trades Union Congress. In a speech at the Trimdon Labour Club on May 10, 2007, Blair formally announced his intention to step down, despite having pledged to serve a full term during the 2005 election.

Gordon Brown was the only contender for the Labour Party's leadership after Blair resigned. At a special conference in Manchester on June 24, 2007, Blair formally gave Brown the leadership of the Labour Party. On June 27, 2007, Blair resigned as prime minister, and Brown took over the same afternoon. Blair was the first prime minister in the modern era to forego the custom of issuing a list of Resignation Honours. Additionally, he resigned from his Commons seat in Sedgefield, which led to a by-election that Labour candidate Phil Wilson won.

Policies

Blairism

Tony Blair's political philosophy, commonly known as "Blairism," was defined by his dedication to social justice and economic prosperity, which helped the Labour Party establish itself as a centrist force that could win over a wide range of voters. "We are a left of center party, pursuing economic prosperity and social justice as partners and not as opposites," Blair said in 2001. Although Blair hardly ever labeled himself, he did declare that New Labour would rule from the "radical centre" prior to the 1997 election.

Blair's policies were more in line with the center-right than with traditional Labour values, according to critics who claim that he moved the Labour Party to the right. For instance, in a 2007 opinion piece, left-wing pundit Neil Lawson characterized Blair as being to the right of center. Blair's ability to control the center ground in British politics pushed his Conservative rivals to the left, as evidenced by the opinions of people like David Cameron, Michael Gove, and George Osborne, who all regarded Blair as a capable politician.

Social Reforms

Blair's administration supported LGBTQ+ rights and made important constitutional amendments. Among the main changes are:

The 2004 Civil Partnership Act gave civil partners the same rights and obligations as married couples.
Gay and straight couples had the same age of consent.
The British military's ban on gay personnel was repealed.
Gender dysphoria sufferers were able to legally change their gender thanks to the Gender Recognition Act of 2004.
Section 28 was repealed because it forbade local authorities from "promoting" homosexuality.
Anti-discrimination laws were implemented, and gay couples were given the opportunity to adopt children.

Blair was recognized for his advocacy of LGBTQ+ rights, and The Gay Times named him a "gay icon" in 2014.

Along with enacting strict anti-terrorism laws and identity card programs, Blair's administration also expanded police powers by increasing the number of crimes that could result in arrests and extending DNA recording.

Economic Policies

During his tenure as prime minister, Blair is credited with overseeing a robust economy. Britain saw a rapid increase in GDP and productivity, a decrease in poverty and inequality, and an 18% increase in real incomes between 1997 and 2006. Critics noted that although poverty rates decreased, inequality remained stubbornly high.

Blair's economic policies prioritized fiscal restraint while making significant investments in human capital, especially in the fields of healthcare and education. Among the important economic measures were:

Increasing indirect taxes while maintaining low direct taxes.
Enhancing employment rights and implementing the National Minimum Wage.
To finance higher education, student tuition fees were introduced.
lowering some welfare payments and implementing a welfare-to-work program.
maintaining railway privatization while bolstering oversight through the establishment of the Office of Rail Regulation and restricting fare hikes.

Spending on public services, especially the National Health Service (NHS), was greatly increased under Blair's administration. Between 1997 and 2010, NHS spending increased from 39.9% of GDP to 48.1%. By the end of his term, Blair's administration aimed to double NHS funding in real terms by matching NHS spending to that of other European nations.

Environmental Record

Tony Blair was an outspoken opponent of governments failing to do enough to combat climate change. He brought attention to the "great industrialized nations'" inability to cut greenhouse gas emissions during a 1997 visit to the United States. Blair reaffirmed his commitment to tackling climate change in 2003, saying that it "cannot be ignored" and that global action on the issue needed to "go beyond even Kyoto." By 2010, his government had only increased renewable energy by 7%, falling short of the 20% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions that was promised. Blair also urged collaboration between businesses and environmentalists and pledged 100 million euros for green policies.

Foreign Policy

General Approach

Blair's close ties to the US and the EU were hallmarks of his foreign policy. Particularly after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, when the UK joined the United States in the worldwide war on terror, he adopted an activist philosophy of interventionism. Developing ties with European leaders like Nicolas Sarkozy (France), Silvio Berlusconi (Italy), and Angela Merkel (Germany) was another key component of his foreign policy.

Relationship with the U.S.

Blair's foreign policy was heavily influenced by his relationship with US President George W. Bush. Blair defended the value of keeping tight ties with the United States, despite the fact that many Britons disapproved of their partnership and saw Blair as a "lapdog" to Bush. Their informal, occasionally irreverent rapport was observed in private conversations, such as the one that was recorded during the 2006 G8 Summit.

Middle East Policy

Blair's position on the Middle East had a significant impact on his foreign policy. Along with other European leaders, he signed a letter in 2003 endorsing U.S. policy in Iraq. Blair's long-standing support for Israel was also evident because he collaborated closely with Michael Levy, a significant figure in the UK Jewish community, and had close relationships with Israeli leaders, such as Ariel Sharon. However, his Middle East foreign policy frequently came under fire, including for closely aligning himself with U.S. positions and failing to demand an immediate ceasefire during the 2006 Lebanon War.

Syria and Libya

Blair had a contentious relationship with the governments of Libya and Syria. According to documents made public in 2012, Blair's administration had contemplated knighting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and assisting in enhancing his reputation, even though Assad would go on to lead a violent regime. Blair also had no qualms about his association with the dictator, and he remained friendly with Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi even after the 2011 Libyan Civil War.

Zimbabwe

Antagonism toward President Robert Mugabe characterized Blair's approach to Zimbabwe. He reportedly thought about using force to overthrow Mugabe's government but changed his mind. While South African President Thabo Mbeki later acknowledged that Blair had pushed South Africa to join a "regime change scheme" in Zimbabwe, General Charles Guthrie disclosed in 2007 that he had counseled Blair against military intervention in Zimbabwe.

Russia

Blair's relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin was controversial. Blair met Putin in 2000, at a time when other world leaders were hesitant to engage with him due to his policies in Chechnya. Blair described Putin as a political reformer with a vision for modernizing Russia. He continued to maintain a positive relationship with Putin, even hosting him in London and expressing confidence in his vision for a strong Russia. However, in later years, Blair faced criticism for helping Putin rise to power and for his lack of concern over Russia's human rights record.

Relationship with Media

Rupert Murdoch

Blair and Russian President Vladimir Putin had a contentious relationship. When Blair first met Putin in 2000, other world leaders were reluctant to interact with him because of his Chechen policies. Putin, according to Blair, has a vision for modernizing Russia and is a political reformer. He remained friendly with Putin, even hosting him in London and expressing faith in his vision for a powerful Russia. Later on, though, Blair came under fire for his role in Putin's ascent to power and his disregard for Russia's human rights record.

Contacts with UK Media Proprietors

Following his resignation, a Cabinet Office freedom of information request revealed Blair's correspondence with influential media figures, including Murdoch and Richard Desmond, the owner of Northern and Shell Media. Blair and Murdoch had a number of phone conversations and meetings, according to the documents, including during pivotal times like the 2003 prelude to the Iraq War. The public was interested in these meetings, which took place from 2002 to 2005. The timing of these communications raised concerns about the possible influence of media moguls on political decision-making, even though the discussions' content was mostly kept secret.

Blair appeared before the Leveson Inquiry in 2012, which investigated the relationship between politicians and the press. During the hearing, a protestor accused him of war crimes, highlighting the tense atmosphere surrounding his media interactions.

Media Portrayal

Blair was a compelling figure in the media because of his informal and captivating speaking style. His well-known homage to Diana, Princess of Wales, referring to her as "the People's Princess," solidified his reputation in the public eye. Alastair Campbell, Blair's press secretary, played a crucial role in controlling Blair's media persona, particularly in the early years of his tenure as prime minister. Before stepping down as director of communications in 2003 in the wake of the Hutton Inquiry, Campbell was the official spokesperson until 2001.

The 2010 movie The Special Relationship highlighted Blair's political alliance with the Clinton family, especially with Bill Clinton.

Relationship with the Labour Party

Tension arose during Blair's time as Labour leader because he refused to provide a specific date for his resignation, which infuriated some cabinet ministers and party members. These ministers thought that Blair's early exit was essential to Labour's chances of winning a fourth term. His 2006 policy announcements were seen by some as an effort to deflect attention from the exit debate.

Gordon Brown

Blair's leadership of the Labour Party was heavily reliant on his relationship with Gordon Brown, his longtime political ally and rival. Before Blair took over, the two worked closely together, and they famously agreed that Brown would eventually become prime minister. There was conflict between the two, though, because Blair was more well-liked by the public in spite of this agreement. According to reports, Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott frequently had to mediate between them as their relationship grew more strained during Blair's tenure in office.

Blair publicly supported Brown in the 2010 election, praising his handling of the financial crisis, despite their personal disagreements.

Post-Premiership (2007–Present)

Diplomacy

Blair was named the United Nations, European Union, United States, and Russian envoy to the Middle East after resigning as prime minister in June 2007. Blair first stated that he would keep his Commons seat, but after accepting the envoy position, he resigned. Both Israel and the Palestinians supported his appointment. With an emphasis on Palestinian rights, Blair's tenure as Middle East envoy was characterized by attempts to mediate a peace agreement between Israel and Palestine. But in May 2015, after serving as envoy for eight years, he stepped down.

Blair's legacy is still shaped by his leadership during the Iraq War and the conflicting responses to his foreign policy and media relations choices, despite his post-premiership diplomatic endeavors.

Private Sector Involvement

Business Roles

After leaving politics, Tony Blair entered the private sector in January 2008 when he became a senior advisor at JPMorgan Chase. In addition, he started offering climate change advice to Zurich Financial Services. Although his exact compensation for these positions is unknown, estimates indicate he may have been making over £500,000 annually. Blair also reportedly earned up to US$250,000 for a 90-minute speech, making him one of the highest paid public speakers in the world. He was reportedly the highest-paid speaker in the world by 2008.

During the 2008–09 academic year, Blair also instructed a course at Yale University on faith and globalization. He then started a postgraduate program called the Faith and Globalization Initiative, which was a partnership between Yale, Durham University, and the National University of Singapore.

Controversies and Business Ties

Blair's private-sector endeavors have come under media scrutiny, particularly his ties to UI Energy Corporation, where he allegedly received undisclosed payments. According to a 2010 report, taxpayers were paying a portion of Blair's personal security expenses, which came to about £250,000 annually.

Tony Blair Associates

In order to offer strategic counsel on political, economic, and governmental reforms, Blair established Tony Blair Associates. Profits from the firm's pro bono and commercial work go toward Blair's charitable causes, which include climate change, Africa, and faith.

However, because of possible conflicts of interest, especially his advisory role with controversial regimes, Blair's work through Tony Blair Associates has come under fire. Blair has been accused of "whitewashing" Kazakhstan's human rights record through his advisory work for the government, where he helped with political, economic, and judicial reforms. Claiming that his work could steer divisive leaders toward progressive reforms, Blair justified his position by pointing out that he did not personally benefit from this advisory work.

Blair was also criticized for taking on an advisory role with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, which was considered incongruous with his Middle East envoyship. Blair called such reports "nonsense."

Charity and Non-Profits

Blair has started a number of charitable endeavors:

In order to fight childhood obesity, the Tony Blair Sports Foundation (2007) concentrated on boosting youth sports participation, especially in the North East of England.
The Tony Blair Faith Foundation (2008) sought to foster interfaith collaboration in order to advance mutual respect, understanding, and the fight against world poverty. Although the Foundation works all over the world, it is not affiliated with any one religion.
The goal of the Tony Blair Africa Governance Initiative (2009) was to advance good governance in Africa.

In December 2016, Blair launched the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, focusing on promoting global perspectives in governance and policy. Former Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin joined the institute in 2023 to advise on political leadership reform.

Books and Memoirs

In September 2010, Blair's autobiography, A Journey, was released. There were conflicting responses to the book, which was released in a contentious manner because of Blair's role in the Iraq War. Many viewed the book as an attempt to capitalize on his tenure in office, particularly in relation to his involvement in divisive wars. Despite the book's initial negative reception, it went on to become the fastest-selling autobiography at the time.

When it was revealed that Blair would give the Royal British Legion the £4.6 million advance and all book royalties—the biggest single donation in the charity's history—he made headlines. Given the sharply divided response to his political legacy, some saw this gesture as an effort to mend his public image. Protests surrounded the book's release, with anti-war protesters confronting Blair at book signings.

All things considered, Blair's post-premiership career has been characterized by prominent business and advisory positions, charitable endeavors, and a contentious reputation associated with his policies while in office.

Private Sector Involvement

Blair held a number of positions in the private sector, including advising Zurich Financial Services on climate change and serving as a senior adviser to JPMorgan Chase. His yearly compensation is estimated to be more than £500,000. Blair reportedly made up to $250,000 for a 90-minute speech, making him one of the highest-paid speakers in the world in 2008. His lectures were very profitable. In addition, he started the Faith and Globalization Initiative in collaboration with a number of international universities and taught at Yale University.

He established Tony Blair Associates, which offered strategic counsel on economic reforms, political trends, and governance. His position as the Middle East envoy while advising controversial regimes like Kazakhstan and Egypt drew criticism for the firm's possible conflicts of interest.

Charitable Work

Blair also made charitable causes a priority by launching a number of projects:

The Tony Blair Sports Foundation, which encourages kids to play sports.
The Tony Blair Faith Foundation addressed global issues like poverty and promoted interfaith dialogue.
The Tony Blair Africa Governance Initiative seeks to advance African good governance.
He established the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change in 2016 to support the advancement of governmental reforms and provide political leaders with strategic counsel.

Accusations of War Crimes

Blair was widely criticized for his involvement in the Iraq War, and people like Archbishop Desmond Tutu accused him of war crimes. In 2011, he was convicted of crimes against peace for his actions in Iraq by a Kuala Lumpur War Crimes Tribunal. He hasn't been charged in a formal court, though. Due to legal technicalities, a private war crimes prosecution attempt in the UK was dropped in 2017.

Response to the Iraq Inquiry

During the Chilcot Inquiry, Blair defended his choice to ally with the United States in the Iraq War, admitting that his planning and preparation were flawed but arguing that he made the decision in good faith. Despite claims that the war made international terrorism worse, he underlined that Saddam Hussein had to go.

Political Views

Blair has persisted in participating in political discourse, frequently advocating for the necessity of international cooperation and American foreign policy. He cautioned about the risks posed by Chinese trade practices and backed a robust response to Iran's influence in the Middle East. Blair also became an outspoken opponent of the UK's Brexit decision and advocated for a second referendum on the withdrawal deal.

Labour Party Criticism and Support

Blair claimed that the Labour Party had shifted too far to the left under Jeremy Corbyn's leadership. Later, he reaffirmed his support for Keir Starmer, complimenting his leadership and giving guidance on managing political opposition and immigration.

Personal Life

In 1980, Blair wed Cherie Booth, and the two of them have four kids. Blair's estimated wealth ranges from £20 million to £100 million, and the family lives in Connaught Square, London. In 2007, Blair also became a Catholic, incorporating his faith into his political and personal identity.

Blair has drawn both praise and criticism for his post-office career, which has included a combination of high-paying advisory positions, charitable endeavors, and divisive political positions.

Both during and after his tenure as prime minister, Tony Blair has won countless honors and recognitions for his humanitarian and political work. Among the noteworthy honors and commendations are:

United Kingdom

In 1994, senior politicians in Britain were traditionally awarded the title of Privy Counselor.
Queen Elizabeth II bestows one of the highest honors in the United Kingdom, the Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter (2022). Despite some public controversy surrounding his involvement in the Iraq War, Blair was granted this distinction. More than a million people signed a petition to remove the knighthood.
In 2008, Queen's University Belfast awarded him an Honorary Doctor of Law (LLD) in appreciation of his contributions to the peace process in Northern Ireland.

United States

President George W. Bush awarded Blair the 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom in recognition of his leadership and contributions, especially his assistance during the War on Terror and his involvement in the peace process in Northern Ireland.
The Congressional Gold Medal (2003) was given to Blair in appreciation of his support for American foreign policy and dedication to enhancing ties between the United States and the United Kingdom.
The 2010 Liberty Medal, given by former US President Bill Clinton, honors Blair's international work to advance freedom and harmony

Other International Honours

Tel Aviv University presented him with the Dan David Prize (2009) in recognition of his outstanding leadership in resolving disputes.
Order of Freedom (2010) – Awarded by the President of Kosovo for Blair's instrumental role in bringing peace to the region. In honor of him, some kids in Kosovo were even given the names "Toni" or "Tonibler."
In recognition of his important contribution to resolving the Sierra Leone Civil War, the chiefs and people of Mahera, Sierra Leone, appointed him as Paramount Chief in 2007.

Blair has received several prestigious honors as a result of his worldwide influence, but some have generated controversy because of his contentious choices, especially those pertaining to the Iraq War. In spite of this, he has received widespread recognition for his humanitarian, governance, and peacekeeping efforts.

References 

• Heren, K. (2025) Tony Blair tells Brits to stop self-diagnosing with depression as ‘UK can’t afford Spiralling Benefits bill’, LBC. Available at: https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/tony-blair-mental-health-benefits/ (Accessed: 14 January 2025).
• History - tony blair (no date) BBC. Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/blair_tony.shtml (Accessed: 14 January 2025).
• Tony Blair (2025) Encyclopædia Britannica. Available at: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Tony-Blair (Accessed: 14 January 2025).
• Tony Blair - Agenda contributor (no date) World Economic Forum. Available at: https://www.weforum.org/stories/authors/tony-blair-2/ (Accessed: 14 January 2025).