Tony Blair's Legacy: A Critical Reassessment of His Impact on Britain

An editorial published on the eve of the 1997 general election warned that Tony Blair's pursuit of devolution and European integration posed a significant threat to the United Kingdom. The piece cautioned that the British people, swayed by a desire for change, might be overlooking the profound implications of electing a leader with a radical vision.

Blair, characterized as a revolutionary rather than a mere centrist, signaled his intent to reshape Britain into a "young country," diverging from its long and ancient history. This ambition, the analysis suggests, has persisted throughout his post-premiership career. Recently, Blair publicly urged his successor, Andy Burnham, to consider rejoining the European Union, advocating for a clear and resolute pursuit of this goal. His think tank, the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, released a report emphasizing that there is no benefit in cautiously approaching re-entry into Europe based on public opinion.

Despite leaving office nearly two decades ago, Blair's influence remains notable. His institute reportedly generated £137 million last year, while he continues to receive public funding for security and associated perks. His long-standing pro-European stance, evident during his time in Downing Street when he envisioned a continental federal superstate and sought to join the single currency, is presented as a key aspect of his political identity.

The article posits that Blair's zeal and ambition made him a formidable, yet dangerous, politician. His globalist agenda and efforts to dismantle Britain's independence were matched by a mission to reform the UK's constitution, establish a new social order, and alter the nation's demographic makeup. His 1999 speech to the Labour conference described his modernized party as a "new progressive force" intending to "modernize the nation and sweep away those forces of conservatism."

During his ten-year tenure, Blair's policies, particularly devolution, are seen as having strengthened nationalist movements in Scotland and Wales, weakening the bonds holding the kingdom together. The article points to governance issues in these devolved nations, citing reports of declining educational standards and a rise in drug-related deaths in Scotland under SNP policies.

Blair's constitutional reforms also included downgrading the role of Lord Chancellor, abolishing the Lords of Appeal, and establishing a U.S.-style Supreme Court, which critics argue has become an engine of judicial activism, undermining parliamentary authority. The incorporation of the European Convention on Human Rights into British law via the 1998 Human Rights Act is described as a "wrecking ball" to the legal system, benefiting lawyers, criminals, and illegal migrants while complicating cases for soldiers and hindering the deportation of foreign offenders. Jack Straw, the former Home Secretary, has since acknowledged that the Act has been abused in ways never intended.

Further criticisms include the introduction of postal votes on demand, which allegedly led to abuses, and the removal of hereditary peers from the House of Lords without enhancing democratic accountability. The article also notes the blurring of lines between party and state through the politicization of the civil service and a shift towards informal "sofa" government, alongside a significant increase in special advisers and the influence of figures like Alastair Campbell.

Blair's premiership saw the creation of 92 quangos, more than any other Prime Minister, and a proliferation of regional and local government bodies, which the author argues weakened the connection between citizens and Parliament.

A central point of contention is Blair's role in mass immigration. The article alleges that his government deliberately eased restrictions on immigration, particularly after the 2004 EU expansion, leading to a far greater influx than predicted. The official forecast for arrivals from eight new EU member states was between 5,000 and 13,000, but the actual number reached 750,000 in the first four years, totaling 1.5 million by the end of the decade. Net immigration rose from 48,000 per year in 1997 to over 200,000 by 2007.

The article suggests that Blair's pro-immigration stance was driven by a belief in increased productivity, the illusion of GDP growth, and a political calculation to boost Labour's support, as 80% of migrants reportedly vote Labour. It cites a former speechwriter who claimed the policy was intended to "rub the Right’s nose in diversity and render their arguments out of date."

Blair is portrayed as a globalist with little reverence for Britain's past or affection for its people, more at home on the international circuit. His embrace of open borders is compared to the post-war East German regime's approach to its populace.

The era of "equality and social inclusion" under Blair is criticized for allegedly coinciding with a decline in social cohesion and a rise in extremism. The article points to the concept of "Non-Crime Hate Incidents" as an example of the state enforcing fashionable orthodoxies and suppressing free speech. Legislation like the 2000 Race Relations Act imposed new duties on authorities and employers to promote race equality, with government contract bidders required to demonstrate compliance with state-sanctioned social values.

The author argues that the focus on minority victimhood led to a cover-up of issues such as the activities of predatory Asian grooming gangs, where authorities allegedly feared being accused of racism and prioritized maintaining an illusion of multicultural harmony over addressing the abuse of vulnerable girls.

Blair's political philosophy, encapsulated by "New Labour, New Britain," emphasized modernization and a break from tradition. This mentality, the article concludes, has inflicted significant damage on Britain, echoing the 1997 editorial's warning about the potential to "tear apart the fabric of our nation."