The Blair Effect 2001-5

Description

Tony Blair's strong start to his third term, with his role in capturing the Olympic Games for Britain, his statesman-like handling of the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on London, his promise of a new start to the European Union and his leadership of the G8 summit at Gleneagles, has brought his relatively lacklustre second term into sharp relief. The second term should have been the time when New Labour fulfilled its manifesto promises. So what changed between 2001 and 2005 and what was achieved? How far was Blair himself responsible, and what was Gordon Brown's influence? What was the impact of the Iraq war? And what of Blair's policy towards Europe? Anthony Seldon and Dennis Kavanagh gather together leading academics and journalists to provide an authoritative assessment of Blair's second term, including a review of New Labour in government from 1997 to the present.

Anthony Seldon is the co-founder of the Institute of Contemporary British History, and is Headmaster of Brighton College and Master Elect of Wellington College. He is the author or editor of over twenty-five books of contemporary history. Dennis Kavanagh is Professor of Politics at the University of Liverpool, and a senior scholar of British politics. He is the author of extensive publications including the British Election Survey series.

'Essential reading. A penetrating survey of the Blair Government, its strengths and its flaws. You do not have to agree with all the conclusions to be stimulated by the arguments.' Andrew Rawnsley, The Observer 'A more massive and magisterial survey is the collection of essays by some very knowledgeable hands, The Blair Effect 2001-5, edited by Anthony Seldon and Dennis Kavanagh.' Contemporary Review