Tony Blair Seeks Legacy Redefinition Beyond Iraq War Controversy
Former Prime Minister Tony Blair has publicly insisted that his political legacy should not be solely defined by the divisive Iraq War, during which hundreds of British service personnel lost their lives or sustained injuries. Instead, the ex-Labour leader argues he should be judged by what he describes as the "immense amount of good things" accomplished during his decade in power from 1997 to 2007.
Documentary Revelation of Political and Personal Reflections
These candid remarks feature prominently in a new three-part Channel 4 documentary series that provides unprecedented access to Blair's reflections on his premiership. The programme includes probing questions about Britain's involvement in the 2003 Iraq invasion, which began with the US-led "shock and awe" campaign in March 2003 and continued until May 2011.
Official Ministry of Defence statistics confirm the human cost: 179 British troops died during Operation Telic in Iraq, with an additional 3,598 members of the armed forces injured during the conflict. In documentary footage scheduled for broadcast in Wednesday's second episode, Sir Tony directly addresses this legacy, telling his interviewer: "You know, you asked me a lot about Iraq and everything. But I always say to people - look, we did an immense amount of good things and this country, on the day I left in June 2007, was a strong, capable country."
Defending the New Labour Record
The 72-year-old former prime minister further elaborated on his perspective, stating: "And in my view, and I'm entitled to it, as people are entitled to their view, if we'd stuck with that strong centre-ground government and we hadn't got into the mess we have got into as a country we would be in a much more powerful position today."
Supporters of Blair's New Labour administration frequently highlight significant domestic achievements including the introduction of the national minimum wage, trebling NHS funding, and crucial contributions to the Northern Irish peace process. The documentary explores these accomplishments alongside the more controversial aspects of his tenure.
Family Insights and Personal Revelations
The series features remarkable contributions from Blair's family members, most notably his wife Cherie Blair, who offers surprisingly frank assessments of her husband's character and political career. Lady Blair suggests in the programme that her husband excels more as a politician than as a spouse, commenting: "He is an amazing politician. As a husband and as a human being, that's a different matter, but that's really between me and him."
In particularly revealing moments, Cherie Blair discusses her husband's lack of romantic gestures, laughing as she notes: "No, not really. Tony's not very romantic. He's never bought me flowers." She also addresses the persistent "Lady Macbeth" accusations that have followed her throughout Blair's political career, dismissing them as misunderstanding their relationship dynamic.
Documentary Structure and Content
The first instalment of the Channel 4 series, titled 'Who Are You?' and airing at 9pm on Tuesday, examines what producers describe as Sir Tony's "early traumas that drove him on in politics." This includes his recollection of an "extraordinary premonition" about Labour leader John Smith's death in 1994, which preceded Blair's own election as Smith's replacement.
Wednesday's second episode, appropriately named 'Iraq', focuses on the New Labour government's challenges following their 2001 re-election victory. This period became dominated by post-9/11 military interventions, with documentary-makers suggesting Blair's "leading role in building support for the US-led war in Afghanistan" stemmed partly from his "belief in the duty to go out into the world and act" combined with his religious convictions.
Wider Perspectives and Historical Context
The documentary incorporates viewpoints from various figures including opponents of the Iraq war, former US President Bill Clinton, and ex-US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Blair's grown-up children Euan, Kathryn and Leo also contribute, alongside former spin doctor Alastair Campbell, who recalls finding Blair alone at his Downing Street desk late one night following the Iraq invasion.
Campbell reflects: "It was one of those moments when I wished I could paint. It was an absolute portrait in the isolation of power." He adds of his former boss: "He had real energy and restlessness."
Production Insights and Broadcast Details
Series director Michael Waldman wrote in the Radio Times about Blair's remarkable composure during filming, noting how his "self-assurance rarely cracks, even when interrogated about what many view as his gravest mistake, the invasion of Iraq." Waldman observed: "Despite this conviction, what emerges is a level of emotion and psychological introspection that's rarely been seen on camera."
The three-part documentary series, 'The Tony Blair Story', airs on Channel 4 at 9pm across three consecutive evenings from Tuesday 17 February to Thursday 19 February, offering viewers comprehensive insight into one of modern Britain's most significant and controversial political figures.
