Tony Blair/Timelines: Difference between revisions

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==1953-94==
Father's stroke, 1964.  Fettes College, 1966-71.  Oxford, 1972-1975.  Labour party membership, 1975.  Mother's death, 1975.
Law pupil of Derry Irvine, 1976-77. Bar Finals and entry to chambers, 1977.  Employment law practice, 1977-82.   Candidate for Beaconsfield by-election, 1982.


 
MP for Sedgefield, 1983.  Maiden speech to the House of Commons[http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/politics/domestic_politics/blairs+maiden+speech/467307].  Assistant spokesman on Treasury matters, 1984.   Deputy spokesman for Trade and Industry 1987.   Shadow Secretary of State for Employment, 1988.  Member of National Executive Committee of the Labour party, 1989.  Shadow Home Secretary, 1992.
__NOTOC__
 
{| align=left
|width=100px|'''1980's'''
|width=100px|'''1990's'''
|width=100px|'''2000's'''
|-
|valign=top |
*[[#1983 |1983]]
*[[#1984 to 1987 |1984 to 1987]]
*[[#1987 |1987]]
*[[#1988 |1988]]
*[[#1989 |1989]]
|valign=top |
*[[#1990 |1990]]
*[[#1992 |1991]]
*[[#1992 |1992]]
*[[#1994 |1994]]
*[[#1995 |1995]]
*[[#1996 |1996]]
*[[#1997 |1997]]
*[[#1998 |1998]]
*[[#1999 |1999]]
|valign=top rowspan=2|
*[[#2000 |2000]]
*[[#2001 |2001]]
*[[#2002 |2002]]
*[[#2003 |2003]]
*[[#2004 |2004]]
*[[#2005 |2005]]
*[[#2006 |2006]]
*[[#2007 |2007]]
*[[#2008 |2008]]
*[[#2009 |2009]]
*[[#2010 |2010]]
|-
 
|}{{clear}}
 
Sources<br>
::References, with page numbers, to Tony Blair's memoirs (Tony Blair: ''A Journey'', Hutchinson, 2010)  are shown as "Journey (xxx)", and <br>references to Anthony Seldon's biography (Anthony Seldon: ''Blair'',  Free Press, 2004) are shown as "Blair (xxx)".
 
==1953-71==
Father's stroke, 1964.
 
Fettes College, 1966-71.
 
==1971-75==
Gap year 1971-72
 
Oxford: entry 1972; religious influence of Peter Thomson; Law finals 1975.
 
Mother's death, 1975.
 
==1975-83==
Early political career: Labour party membership 1975, search for adoption as a parliamentary candidate 1980-82; adoption as by-election candidate for Beaconsfield, 1982.
 
Legal career: one-year course at College of Law, 1975;
Law pupil of Derry Irvine 1976-77;
Bar Finals and entry to chambers, 1977;
Employment law practice 1977-82.
 
Marriage to Cherie Booth, 1980.
 
==1983==
 
June: General Election[http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/june/9/newsid_2500000/2500847.stm]. Tony Blair is elected as Labour MP for Sedgefield. Michael Foot, resigns as  leader of the Labour Party  and is replaced by [[Neill Kinnock]].
 
July: Tony Blair's maiden speech to the House of Commons[http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/politics/domestic_politics/blairs+maiden+speech/467307] -  ''"I am a socialist ... because I believe that, at its best, socialism corresponds most closely to an existence that is both rational and moral. It stands for cooperation, not confrontation; for fellowship, not fear."''
 
October: Neil Kinnock replaces Michael Foot as leader of the Labour Party.
 
==1984 to 1987==
Neil Kinnock appoints Tony Blair to the post of assistant spokesman on Treasury matters. .
 
==1987==
Appointed Deputy spokesman for Trade and Industry.  
 
==1988==
October: 
Tony Blair is elected by the Parliamentary Labour Party to the shadow cabinet, and is given the post of Shadow Secretary of State for Employment
 
==1989==
Elected to  the National Executive Committee of the Labour party. This is a powerful position, as the National Executive decides which resolutions will be put before the annual Conference. Tony Blair will use this position to promote changes in Labour Party policies and in its constitution.
 
==1990==
United Nations Resolution 678<ref>[http://www.casi.org.uk/info/undocs/gopher/s90/32 United Nations Resolution 678]</ref> "''Authorizes Member States ... unless Iraq on or before 15 January 1991 fully implements ... the foregoing resolutions, to use all necessary means to uphold and implement resolution 660 (1990) and all subsequent relevant resolutions and to restore international peace and security in the area''"
 
==1991==
United Nations Resolution 687 <ref>[http://www.fas.org/news/un/iraq/sres/sres0687.htm United Nations Resolutiom 687]]</ref> calls for the destruction of all biological and chemical weapons, creates an inspection team to inspect Iraq's chemical, biological and nuclear facilities, and resolve to monitor compliance.
 
==1992==
 
April:
General Election[http://www.bbc.co.uk/politics97/background/pastelec/ge92.shtml]. Labour Party suffers heavy defeat. Neil Kinnock resigns as party leader and is replaced by [[John Smith]].
 
:John Smith promotes Tony Blair to the major front bench post of Shadow Home Secretary.
 
:Tony Blair pledges that his party would be "tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime"[http://www.bbc.co.uk/otr/intext92-93/Blair4.7.93.html].
 
November:
[[Bill Clinton]] is elected President of the USA.


==1994==  
==1994==  
May 12th:
May 12th:
The Labour Party leader John Smith dies of a heart attack.  
The Labour Party leader [[Tony Blair/Catalogs#Smith, John|John Smith]] dies of a heart attack.  


May 31st:
May 31st:
Tony Blair and [[Gordon Brown]] meet at the ''Granita'' restaurant in Islington, London. (Reports that a deal was done at that  meeting have since been denied<ref>See the [[Tony Blair/Addendum#Rivals (1994)|Rivals 1994]]</ref>).  
Tony Blair and [[Gordon Brown]] discuss the leadership election at a private meeting at the ''Granita'' restaurant. (Reports that a deal was done at that  meeting have since been denied<ref>See the [[Tony Blair/Addendum#Rivals (1994)|Rivals 1994]]</ref>).  


June 1st:
June 1st:
Gordon Brown rules himself out of the Labour Party leadership race.  
Gordon Brown announces his support for Tony Blair's candidature.  


July 21st:
July 21st:
Tony Blair is elected leader of the Labour Party. John Prescott is elected as his Deputy.
Leader of the Labour Party.  


October:
October:
Speech to Labour party conference[http://keeptonyblairforpm.wordpress.com/1994-first-blair-speech-to-conference-as-party-leader/]
Speech to Labour party conference[http://keeptonyblairforpm.wordpress.com/1994-first-blair-speech-to-conference-as-party-leader/]
''We have changed. We were right to change. Parties that do not change die, and this party is a living movement not an historical monument''.
''We have changed. We were right to change. Parties that do not change die, and this party is a living movement not an historical monument''.
==1995==
April:
The Labour Party backs rewriting of Clause IV of its constitution, the clause that formerly committed the party to nationalisation of industry.
==1996==
November:
[[Bill Clinton]] re-elected President of the USA.


==1997==
==1997==
===Legislation===
===Legislation===
*Northern Ireland Arms Decommissioning Act 1997[http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1997/7/contents]
*Northern Ireland Arms Decommissioning Act 1997[http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1997/7/contents] - established the statutory authority for the establishment of a decommissioning commission and the for the granting of an amnesty against the prosecution of those who surrendered their weapons.


===Events===
===Events===
March:
The ''Sun'' newspaper announces that it will back Blair at the general election. The ''Sun'' is Britain's biggest-selling daily newspaper, and had been a staunch supporter of the Conservative Party.
May:
May:
[[1997 United Kingdom general election|General election]] - Labour wins 419 of the 659 seats. [[Gordon Brown]] is appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer.
[[1997 United Kingdom general election|General election]] - Labour wins 419 of the 659 seats. [[Gordon Brown]] is appointed [[Chancellor of the Exchequer]].


Announcement that the [[Bank of England]]  to be given responsibility for the execution of [[monetary policy]] in accordance with published government targets (see Bank of England Act 1998).  
:Announcement that the [[Bank of England]]  to be given responsibility for the execution of [[monetary policy]] in accordance with published government targets (see Bank of England Act 1998).  


June:
June:
Line 157: Line 48:
October:
October:
Gordon Brown announces the [[Gordon Brown/Addendum#The Euro: the five tests|five tests]] that must  be met before Britain joins the [[Euro|European Common Currency]].
Gordon Brown announces the [[Gordon Brown/Addendum#The Euro: the five tests|five tests]] that must  be met before Britain joins the [[Euro|European Common Currency]].
December:
Backbench concern about proposed reductions in disability benefits[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/39285.stm]
<small>
[[Tony Blair/Timelines#1953-71|RETURN TO TOP]]
</small>


==1998==
==1998==
===Legislation===
===Legislation===
* Bank of England Act, 1998[http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/about/legislation/1998act.pdf]
* Bank of England Act, 1998[http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/about/legislation/1998act.pdf]
* Competition Act, 1998[http://www.oft.gov.uk/about-the-oft/legal-powers/legal/competition-act-1998/.]
* Competition Act, 1998[http://www.oft.gov.uk/about-the-oft/legal-powers/legal/competition-act-1998/.] - aligns UK law with EC law (prohibiting restrictive practices and the abuse of a dominant position}
* Health Act 1998[http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1999/8/contents]
* Crime and Disorder Act[http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/37/contents] - Antisocial Behaviour Orders
* Human Rights Act
* Criminal Justice (Terrorism and Conspiracy) Act[http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/40/contents] - enabled courts to take account of  a suspect's refusal to answer questions during the course of an investigation into membership of a terrorist organisation.
 
* Human Rights Act[http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/42/contents] - gives  effect to rights and freedoms guaranteed under the European Convention on Human Rights[http://conventions.coe.int/treaty/Commun/QueVoulezVous.asp?NT=005&CL=ENG];
* Teaching and Higher Education Act [http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/37/contents] - created a new professional standards  body (The General Teaching Council), and introduced tuition fees for university students


===Events===
===Events===
Line 170: Line 69:
The Belfast Agreement<ref>[http://www.nio.gov.uk/agreement.pdf ''Agreement reached in the multi-party negotiations'', UK Northern Ireland Office, 1998]</ref> ("The Good Friday Agreement") creating a power-sharing assembly in Northern Ireland.  
The Belfast Agreement<ref>[http://www.nio.gov.uk/agreement.pdf ''Agreement reached in the multi-party negotiations'', UK Northern Ireland Office, 1998]</ref> ("The Good Friday Agreement") creating a power-sharing assembly in Northern Ireland.  


May:  
September:
Referendum to create a new assembly for London and establish direct elections for mayor.
[[NATO]] ultimatum to President Milosevic of [[Yugoslavia]] to cease aggression against [[Albania]]ns in [[Kosovo]][http://www.nato.int/docu/speech/1998/s980924c.htm].  
 
 
Britain, as part of [[NATO]], joins in the [[Kosovo]] war. Britain keeps thousands of troops there as part of a peacekeeping force.


October: President Clinton signs the ''Iraq Liberation Act,1998''<ref>[http://www.iraqwatch.org/government/US/Legislation/ILA.htm - ''Iraq Liberation Act  1998'']</ref> establishing US policy to remove the Saddam Hussein regime.
October: President Clinton signs the ''Iraq Liberation Act,1998''<ref>[http://www.iraqwatch.org/government/US/Legislation/ILA.htm - ''Iraq Liberation Act  1998'']</ref> establishing US policy to remove the Saddam Hussein regime.


December: [[Operation DESERT FOX|Operation Desert Fox]]: Britain and the USA launch air strikes against Iraq after reports that Saddam Hussein is not complying with United Nations weapons inspections.
December: [[Operation DESERT FOX|Operation Desert Fox]]: Britain and the USA launch air strikes against Iraq after reports that Saddam Hussein is not complying with United Nations weapons inspections.
<small>
[[Tony Blair/Timelines#1953-71|RETURN TO TOP]]
</small>


==1999==
==1999==
===Policy statements and legislation===
===Policy statements and legislation===
* Health Act 100[http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/17/contents]
* Immigration and Asylum Act 1999[http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1999/33/contents] - replaced welfare benefits for asylum seekers with vouchers, introduced fines for transporting illegal immigrants, restricted the use of marriage for immigration purposes.
* Immigration and Asylum Act 1999[http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1999/33/contents]
* Modernising Government White Paper[http://www.archive.official-documents.co.uk/document/cm43/4310/4310.htm] - "joined-up thinking" and the elimination of unnecessary regulations.
* Modernising Government White Paper[http://archive.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/moderngov/download/modgov.pdf]
* The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (Establishment and Constitution) Order 1999[http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/220/contents/made].
* The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (Establishment and Constitution) Order 1999[http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/220/contents/made].


Line 192: Line 91:


March:
March:
[[NATO]] begins air strikes against Serb forces in Kosovo.
''Operation Allied Force''[http://www.nato.int/issues/kosovo_air/index.html] - air strikes against Serb forces in Kosovo.


May:
May:
Line 202: Line 101:
September:
September:
Speech to the Labour Party Conference[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/460009.stm] "''  the 21st century will not be about the battle between capitalism and socialism but between the forces of progress and the forces of conservatism. ''"
Speech to the Labour Party Conference[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/460009.stm] "''  the 21st century will not be about the battle between capitalism and socialism but between the forces of progress and the forces of conservatism. ''"
<small>
[[Tony Blair/Timelines#1953-71|RETURN TO TOP]]
</small>


==2000==
==2000==
===Policy documents and legislation===
===Policy documents and legislation===
* Freedom of Information Act
* Freedom of Information Act[http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/36/contents] - created a statutory right of access to information held by public authorities except  matters relating to security or parliamentary privilege, court records and personal information, and other matters, disclosure of which would be against the public interest.
* NHS Plan  
* NHS Plan[http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_4002960] - a revised  delivery system;  changes between health and social services, career changes for  doctors and  nurses;  and a change in the relationship between the NHS and the private sector.
* Terrorism Act 2000[http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/11/contents/enacted]
* Terrorism Act 2000[http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/11/contents/enacted] - extends the definition of terrorism, increases powers of entry and arrest; permits judge-authorised 7-day detention of suspects without charge; enables the seizure of property and finance.


===Events===
===Events===
February 9th:
Blair loyalist Alun Michael is ousted as Welsh First Minister in a vote of no confidence in the Welsh National Assembly. He is replaced by Rhodri Morgan, who seeks to distance the Welsh Labour Party from some of the policies of the UK Labour Party.
May 4th:
Labour rebel [[Ken Livingstone]] wins the first London Mayoral election.
May 7th
May 7th
Operation Palliser: British army stops the civil war in Sierra Leone
Operation Palliser[http://www.hmforces.co.uk/training/articles/2110-operations-palliser-barras-sierra-leone---part-1]: British army stops the civil war in Sierra Leone


May 20th:  
May 20th:  
Line 223: Line 120:


June 7th:
June 7th:
Speech to the Womens Institute Blair  - heckled and slow handclapped
Speech to the Womens Institute[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/780486.stm] (heckled and slow handclapped)


September 5th:
September 5th:
Fuel protests over rise in petrol prices  
Fuel protests over rise in petrol prices[http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/september/8/newsid_2503000/2503119.stm]


September 26th:
September 26th:
Speech to Labour Party Conference[http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2000/sep/26/labourconference.labour8] "'' And they think: you're not listening. What's it got to do with me? Where is this journey's end? And a fog descends on the very dialogue between Government and people necessary to get there...And, yes, there are things we have done that have made people angry and we should be open enough to admit it.  
Speech to Labour Party Conference[http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2000/sep/26/labourconference.labour8] "'' And they think: you're not listening. What's it got to do with me? Where is this journey's end? And a fog descends on the very dialogue between Government and people necessary to get there...And, yes, there are things we have done that have made people angry and we should be open enough to admit it.  


November:
<small>
[[George W. Bush]] elected President of the USA.
[[Tony Blair/Timelines#1953-71|RETURN TO TOP]]
</small>


==2001==
==2001==
===Legislation===
===Legislation===
Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001[http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/libertycentral/2009/jan/13/anti-terrorism-act] - created provisions to indefinitely detain foreign nationals deemed to threaten national security without charging them or bringing them to trial.
Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001[http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/libertycentral/2009/jan/13/anti-terrorism-act] - enabled the home secretary to indefinitely detain, without charge or trial, foreign nationals who were suspected of terrorism, and .
limited appeal, except on a point od law,  to a closed  commission.  


Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001[http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2001/16/notes/division/2http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2001/16/notes/division/2] - introduces on the spot penalties for disorderly behaviour; measures dealing with the consumption of alcohol in designated public places, the sale of alcohol to persons under the age of 18, drunkenness and disorder on licensed premises, permitting the police to close down licensed premises where disorder is occurring and measures to permit the police to close unlicensed premises selling alcohol
Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001[http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2001/16/notes/division/2http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2001/16/notes/division/2] - introduces on the spot penalties for disorderly behaviour; measures dealing with the consumption of alcohol in designated public places, the sale of alcohol to persons under the age of 18, drunkenness and disorder on licensed premises, permitting the police to close down licensed premises where disorder is occurring and measures to permit the police to close unlicensed premises selling alcohol
Line 243: Line 142:
February 15th:
February 15th:
British and American aircraft attack targets outside Baghdad<ref>[http://archives.cnn.com/2001/WORLD/meast/02/16/iraq.airstrike/  ''U.S., British warplanes hit targets outside Baghdad'', CNN, February 16, 2001]</ref>
British and American aircraft attack targets outside Baghdad<ref>[http://archives.cnn.com/2001/WORLD/meast/02/16/iraq.airstrike/  ''U.S., British warplanes hit targets outside Baghdad'', CNN, February 16, 2001]</ref>
February 19th: Outbreak of foot and mouth disease[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/1760785.stm] triggering a year-long farming crisis with  the slaughter of thousands of pigs and cattle, and leading to calls for a public inquiry<ref>Journey p309</ref>


February 23rd:
February 23rd:
Line 251: Line 152:


September 11th:  
September 11th:  
Terrorist attacks on the USA: four planes are hijacked by members of [[al-Qaeda]]; two are crashed into the [[World Trade Centre]], New York, a third into the [[Pentagon]], Washington.
Terrorist attacks on the USA: four aeroplanes are hijacked by members of [[al-Qaeda]]; two are crashed into the [[World Trade Centre]], New York, a third into the [[Pentagon]], Washington.


October 1st:
October 1st:
Line 260: Line 161:


''Responsibility to Protect''. Report of the International Commission on Intervention and State Sovereignty[http://www.iciss.ca/pdf/Commission-Report.pdf]
''Responsibility to Protect''. Report of the International Commission on Intervention and State Sovereignty[http://www.iciss.ca/pdf/Commission-Report.pdf]
<small>
[[Tony Blair/Timelines#1953-71|RETURN TO TOP]]
</small>


==2002==
==2002==
===Legislation===
===Legislation===
* Education Act 2002[http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/32/contents]
* Education Act 2002[http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/32/contents]  
* Enterprise Act 2002[http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/40/contents]
* Enterprise Act 2002[http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/40/contents] - created the Office of Fair Trading and strengthened mergers policy.
* NHS Reform and Health Care Professions Act 2002[http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/17/contents] Reformed the distribution of functions between Strategic Health Authorities and Primary Care Trusts
* NHS Reform and Health Care Professions Act 2002[http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/17/contents] - reformed the distribution of functions between Health Authorities and Primary Care Trusts and set up the Council for the Regulation of Health Care Professionals.
* Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002[http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/41/contents]
* Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002[http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/41/contents]


Line 278: Line 183:
    
    
February 3rd:  
February 3rd:  
Speech at the Labour Party annual conference,
Speech at the Labour Party annual conference[http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2002/oct/01/labourconference.labour] ''We're at our best when we're at our boldest''.
 
March 8th:
Cabinet considers the  Iraq "Options Paper"[http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article9124.htm] (the paper concludes that: ''"despite the considerable difficulties, the use of overriding force in a ground campaign is the only option that we can be confident will remove Saddam and bring Iraq back into the international community"'').


April 8th:
April 8th:
Meeting with President Bush at his ranch at Crawford, Texas ("The Crawford meeting")
Meeting with President Bush at his ranch at Crawford, Texas ("The Crawford meeting") - including a one-to-one meeting with no advisers present:  ''The only commitment I gave, and I gave  this very openly, at the meeting was a commitment to  deal with Saddam ''(Tony Blair in testimony to the Chilcot inquiry.<ref>[http://www.iraqinquiry.org.uk/media/45139/20100129-blair-final.pdf testimony to the Chilcot Inquiry, 29 January 2010, page 41]</ref>).
 
   
   
Speech at the George Bush Senior Presidential Library ("The Texas speech")[http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2002/apr/08/foreignpolicy.iraq] -  "''...we must be prepared to act where terrorism or weapons of mass destruction (WMD) threaten us...If necessary the action should be military and again, if necessary and justified, it should involve regime change... leaving Iraq to develop WMD, in flagrant breach of no less than nine separate UN security council resolutions, refusing still to allow weapons inspectors back to do their work properly, is not an option.''  
Speech at the George Bush Senior Presidential Library ("The Texas speech")[http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2002/apr/08/foreignpolicy.iraq] -  "''...we must be prepared to act where terrorism or weapons of mass destruction (WMD) threaten us...If necessary the action should be military and again, if necessary and justified, it should involve regime change... leaving Iraq to develop WMD, in flagrant breach of no less than nine separate UN security council resolutions, refusing still to allow weapons inspectors back to do their work properly, is not an option.''  
Line 289: Line 198:
November 8th:
November 8th:
United Nations Resolution 1441<ref>[http://www.worldpress.org/specials/iraq/unscr1441.htm United Nations Resolution 1441]</ref>  - "''Recalling that its resolution 678 (1990) authorized Member States to use all necessary means to uphold and implement its resolution 660 (1990) of 2 August 1990 and all relevant resolutions subsequent to resolution 660 ...Decides that Iraq has been and remains in material breach of its obligations under relevant resolutions''".
United Nations Resolution 1441<ref>[http://www.worldpress.org/specials/iraq/unscr1441.htm United Nations Resolution 1441]</ref>  - "''Recalling that its resolution 678 (1990) authorized Member States to use all necessary means to uphold and implement its resolution 660 (1990) of 2 August 1990 and all relevant resolutions subsequent to resolution 660 ...Decides that Iraq has been and remains in material breach of its obligations under relevant resolutions''".
<small>
[[Tony Blair/Timelines#1953-71|RETURN TO TOP]]
</small>


==2003==
==2003==
===Legislation===
===Legislation===
* Anti-social Behaviour Act
* Anti-social Behaviour Act[http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/38/contents] - gave police new powers to deal with misbehaviour
* Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003[http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/43/contents]
* Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003[http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/43/contents]
* Northern Ireland (Monitoring Commission etc.) Act 2003 [http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/25/contents]
* Northern Ireland (Monitoring Commission etc.) Act 2003 [http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/25/contents]


===Events===  
===Events===  
January 23rd: Meeting with President Bush<ref>[http://www.iraqinquiry.org.uk/media/45139/20100129-blair-final.pdf testimony to the Chilcott Inquiry, 29 January 2010, pages 96-104]</ref>.
January 23rd: Meeting with President Bush (at the Chilcot inquiry in 2010, Tony Blair answered yes to the question ''Was your main objective at that meeting to convince the President that, just as you had  convinced him that it was important to go through the UN  to get the first resolution, that now it was necessary to  get a second resolution?'' <ref>[http://www.iraqinquiry.org.uk/media/45139/20100129-blair-final.pdf testimony to the Chilcot Inquiry, 29 January 2010, pages 96-104]</ref>).  


February 3rd:
February 3rd:
Line 305: Line 218:
US secretary of state's address to the United Nations Security Council[http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2003/feb/05/iraq.usa]. "''Iraq has now placed itself in danger of the serious consequences called for in U.N. Resolution 1441. And this body places itself in danger of irrelevance if it allows Iraq to continue to defy its will without responding effectively and immediately''".  
US secretary of state's address to the United Nations Security Council[http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2003/feb/05/iraq.usa]. "''Iraq has now placed itself in danger of the serious consequences called for in U.N. Resolution 1441. And this body places itself in danger of irrelevance if it allows Iraq to continue to defy its will without responding effectively and immediately''".  


February 15th:
March 4th:
An estimated million people march through London to oppose war with Iraq.
Mori poll indicates that 75% of  Britons are in favour of an Iraq war[http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article156417.ece].
 
March 7th: Attorney General's advice <ref>[http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/freedom_of_information/notices/annex_a_-_attorney_general%27s_advice_070303.pdf  Peter Goldsmith: Iraq: Resolution 1441]</ref> that war with Iraq would be legally justifiable without a further UN resolution.


March 16th:  
March 7th: Attorney General's advice <ref>[http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/freedom_of_information/notices/annex_a_-_attorney_general%27s_advice_070303.pdf  Peter Goldsmith: Iraq: Resolution 1441]</ref> - "''... I remain of the opinion that the safest legal course would be to secure the adoption of a further resolution to authorise the use of force ... Nevertheless, I accept that a reasonable case can be made that resolution 1441 is capable in principle of reviving the authorisation in 678 without a further resolution.''"
Tony Blair, George Bush and Spanish Premier Jose Maria Aznar announce they will seek support for military action against Iraq.  


March 17th:
March 17th:
Robin Cook (Leader of the House of Commons) resigns  from the government<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/2859431.stm ''Cook's resignation speech'', BBC News 18th March 2003]</ref> because of his opposition to attacking Iraq.
Resignation speech by Robin Cook (Leader of the House of Commons) <ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/2859431.stm ''Cook's resignation speech'', BBC News 18th March 2003]</ref> - "'' Britain is being asked to embark on a war without agreement in any of the international bodies of which we are a leading partner"''.


March 18th:
March 18th:
139 Labour MPs vote against the government's decision to go to war with Iraq. Nevertheless, with Conservative support, the Government wins the Commons vote comfortably.
Declaration of war. The House of Commons motion that the Government should "''use all means necessary to ensure the disarmament of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction''"[http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200203/cmhansrd/vo030318/debtext/30318-06.htm] was carried. Tony Blair, proposing, said : "''To retreat now, I believe, would put at hazard all that we hold dearest, turn the UN back into a talking shop, stifle the first steps of progress in the Middle East; leave the Iraqi people to the mercy of events on which we would have relinquished all power to influence for the better''".
The voting for/against was  412/149. (Labour 254/84, Conservative 146/2 Lib Dem 0/52[http://www.publicwhip.org.uk/division.php?date=2003-03-18&number=118])


March 19th:
March 17th:
Britain sends 45,000 troops to join the U.S.-led "coalition of the willing" invasion of Iraq.  
Ultimatum to Iraq by President Bush "''All the decades of deceit and cruelty have now reached an end. Saddam Hussein and his sons must leave Iraq within 48 hours. Their refusal to do so will result in military conflict ...''"[http://articles.cnn.com/2003-03-17/world/sprj.irq.bush.transcript_1_weapons-inspectors-iraq-regime-disarmament/2?_s=PM:WORLD].
March 20th:
[[Iraq War]] - US forces launch first air strikes on Baghdad.


March 20th:  
March 27th:
War on Iraq begins as US forces launch first air strikes on Baghdad.
The "Coalition of the Willing": The  White House lists 49 countries that have offered to support "Operation Iraq Freedom"[http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2003/03/20030327-10.html] including Japan, Italy, Spain, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Turkey and the UK.
The next day, US and British forces launch a massive aerial assault on Baghdad in what the US called its "shock and awe" strategy. The Iraqi regime falls after three weeks, but Saddam Hussein escapes capture. Bush declares an end to major combat operations on May 1st. British troops remain in Iraq, mainly based around Basra in the south of the country


May 1st:n Wales, the Labour party under Rhodri Morgan win enough seats in elections to the National Assembly to govern alone (i.e. without coalition partners)
May 1st: President Bush declares an end to major combat operations in Iraq


May 12th
May 12th
Left-winger Clare Short resigns from the Cabinet<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/3019983.stm ''Short resignation letter in full'', BBC News 12ty May 2003]</ref>  saying that Tony Blair had broken promises about the future of Iraq .
Resignation letter from cabinet minister Clare Short<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/3019983.stm ''Short resignation letter in full'', BBC News 12ty May 2003]</ref> - ''"the assurances you gave me about the need for a UN mandate to establish a legitimate Iraqi government have been breached"''.  
    
    
May 29th:  
May 29th:  
On the ''Today'' programme, the BBC journalist and broadcaster Andrew Gilligan reports allegations that the government enhanced ("sexed-up") its intelligence dossier on Iraq's Weapons of Mass Destruction.
On the BBC's ''Today'' programme, defence correspondent Andrew Gilligan says that he had been "''told by one of the officials in charge of the dossier that, actually the government probably knew that the 45 minute figure was wrong even before it had decided to put it in''" and that "''Downing Street... ordered it to be sexed up''"
 
July 9th:  
July 9th:  
The Ministry of Defence names Dr David Kelly, a biological warfare expert with the British Ministry of Defence as the source for Andrew Gilligan's report.
The Ministry of Defence names Dr David Kelly, a biological warfare expert with the British Ministry of Defence as the source for Andrew Gilligan's report.
Line 342: Line 255:
July 17th:
July 17th:
Address to the  US Congress,  accepting  the Congressional Gold Medal.
Address to the  US Congress,  accepting  the Congressional Gold Medal.
 
July 18th:
Government weapons expert Dr David Kelly is found dead in woods near his home.
Dr Kelly apparently committed suicide days after giving evidence to MPs about the dossier on Iraq's weapons of mass destruction. He was suspected of being the source for a BBC story which alleged the dossier was "sexed up". The next day, Blair launches an inquiry into the tragedy, headed by Lord Hutton. 


July 21st
July 21st
Announcement of an inquiry into the death of Dr Kelly to be led by Lord Hutton[http://www.the-hutton-inquiry.org.uk/content/hi-pn210703.htm]  
Announcement of an inquiry into the death of Dr Kelly to be led by Lord Hutton[http://www.the-hutton-inquiry.org.uk/content/hi-pn210703.htm]  


August 29:
August 28th
Alastair Campbell resigns from Downing Street post [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/3191937.stm].
Tony Blair's testimony to the Hutton inquiry[http://www.the-hutton-inquiry.org.uk/content/transcripts/hearing-trans22.htm]
September 18th:
Labour loses the Brent East byelection to the Liberal Democrats.
 
October 19th:
Tony Blair suffers irregular heartbeat and spends a few hours in hospital.


November:
November:
Meeting at Admiralty House at which Tony Blair promises to resign before the next election provided that Gordon Brown supports his policy agenda.
Meeting at Admiralty House at which Tony Blair promises to resign before the next election provided that Gordon Brown supports his policy agenda.
 
 
December 14th
<small>
US forces capture Saddam Hussein.
[[Tony Blair/Timelines#1953-71|RETURN TO TOP]]
</small>


==2004==
==2004==
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* Asylum and Immigration (treatment of claimants etc) Act[http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/19/contents]
* Asylum and Immigration (treatment of claimants etc) Act[http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/19/contents]
* Civil Partnership Act[http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/33/notes/division/2] enabled same-sex couples to obtain legal recognition of their relationship by forming a civil partnership (marriage in all but name).
* Civil Partnership Act[http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/33/notes/division/2] enabled same-sex couples to obtain legal recognition of their relationship by forming a civil partnership (marriage in all but name).
* Higher Education Act 2004[http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/8/contents] - replaces the fixed student  charge of £1125 by variable fees of up to £3000, and introduces student loans in place of fees.


===Events===
===Events===


January 27th:  
January 27th:  
The government narrowly wins a vote on university top-up fees; 72 Labour MPs rebelled, and the government won by just five votes. The measure means that Universities in England and Wales can now raise extra income from student fees (up to a limit of £3,000/year for each student), but must use some of this to support poorer students.
Debate on the Higher Education Bill[http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200304/cmhansrd/vo040127/debtext/40127-06.htm] 72 Labour MPs rebelled, and the government won by just five votes.  


January 28th:   
January 28th:   
Line 382: Line 287:


25 March:
25 March:
Talks with Libyan leader [[Colonel Gaddafi]], after Libya renounced Weapons of Mass Destruction in December. Diplomatic relations between the two countries had been extremely frosty for many years; Blair hails this as the start of a "new relationship".  
Talks with Libyan leader [[Muammar Gaddafi]], after Libya renounced weapons of mass destruction in December.  
 
April 20th:  
April 20th:  
Announcement of a proposed referendum on a new EU constitution.  
Announcement of a proposed referendum on a new EU constitution.  
   
   
June 10th:
At local government elections Labour lose more than 450 seats, but Ken Livingstone is comfortably re-elected as Mayor of London.
June 15th: ''A New Relationship with Schools''[http://publications.education.gov.uk/default.aspx?PageFunction=productdetails&PageMode=publications&ProductId=A+New+Relationship+with+Schools+Publication]  published jointly by Ofsted and DfES .
June 15th: ''A New Relationship with Schools''[http://publications.education.gov.uk/default.aspx?PageFunction=productdetails&PageMode=publications&ProductId=A+New+Relationship+with+Schools+Publication]  published jointly by Ofsted and DfES .


Line 404: Line 306:
    
    
October 1st:
October 1st:
Blair announces that if he wins the next election he will serve a full term[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/3706630.stm].
Tony Blair announces that if he wins the next election he will serve a full term[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/3706630.stm].
 
October 13th
Michael Howard accuses Tony Blair of lying about Iraq's weapons of mass destruction[http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200304/cmhansrd/vo041013/debtext/41013-03.htm].


November: George Bush is re-elected President of the USA.
November: George Bush is re-elected President of the USA.


December 15th:
 
[[David Blunkett]] resigns as Home Secretary over visa row, after it emerges that a visa application for his ex-lover's nanny had been fast-tracked
<small>
[[Tony Blair/Timelines#1953-71|RETURN TO TOP]]
</small>


==2005==
==2005==
===Policy documents and legislation===
===Policy documents and legislation===
* White Paper  Cm 6472 ''Controlling our borders: Making migration work for Britain''[http://www.archive2.official-documents.co.uk/document/cm64/6472/6472.pdf] - A five-year plan to crack dowwn on illegal immigrants and  provide for their removal, including fines for colluding employers. A proposal for the introduction of a points system based upon industry's needs for skills.
* Constitutional Reform Act[http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2005/4/contents] - created a new Supreme Court; removed the Law Lords from membership of the House of Lords; changed the office of Lord Chancellor so that the holder is no longer the formal head of the judiciary; provided a statutory guarantee to uphold judicial independence and the rule of law.
 
* Prevention of Terrorism Act 2005[http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2005/2/contents] - enables Ministers to issue a "control order"[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6268959.stm] (an order to place a terrorism suspect under close supervision). 
 
* White Paper  Cm 6472 ''Controlling our borders: Making migration work for Britain''[http://www.archive2.official-documents.co.uk/document/cm64/6472/6472.pdf] - A five-year plan to crack down on illegal immigrants and  provide for their removal, including fines for colluding employers. A proposal for the introduction of a points system based upon industry's needs for skills.
* White Paper Cm 6476 ''14-19 Education and Skills''[http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/14-19/documents/14-19whitepapersum.pdf]
* White Paper Cm 6476 ''14-19 Education and Skills''[http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/14-19/documents/14-19whitepapersum.pdf]


===Events===
===Events===
May 5th:
May 5th:
[[2005 United Kingdom general election|General election]]: the Labour government remains in power  but with a much reduced parliamentary majority of  64 seats.
[[2005 United Kingdom general election|General election]]: the Labour government remains in power  but with a much reduced parliamentary majority of  64 seats.
Line 442: Line 352:
November 9th:
November 9th:
Government  defeat in a House of Commons debate on the clause in  Terrorism Act  that would have enabled the police to detain a suspected terrorist for up to 90 days without charge.
Government  defeat in a House of Commons debate on the clause in  Terrorism Act  that would have enabled the police to detain a suspected terrorist for up to 90 days without charge.
<small>
[[Tony Blair/Timelines#1953-71|RETURN TO TOP]]
</small>


==2006==
==2006==
===Legislation===
===Legislation===
* Education and Inspections Act 2006[http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/tna/+/http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/educationandinspectionsact/docs/Guide%20to%20the%20Education%20and%20Inspections%20Act.pdf]
* Education and Inspections Act 2006[http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/tna/+/http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/educationandinspectionsact/docs/Guide%20to%20the%20Education%20and%20Inspections%20Act.pdf]
* Equality Act 2006[http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/3/notes/contentshttp://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/3/notes/contents] - created the Equality and Human Rights Commission with a remit to make a progress report to Parliament every 3 years
* Health Act 2006[http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200506/ldbills/076/en/06076x--.htm]: Prohibited of smoking in enclosed public places and workplaces.
* Health Act 2006[http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200506/ldbills/076/en/06076x--.htm]: Prohibited of smoking in enclosed public places and workplaces.
* Identity Cards Act[http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/15/contents]  
* Identity Cards Act[http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/15/contents] - created the legal framework to establish a national identity register and to issue identity cards (never applied to British citizens)
* Immigration, Asylum and Nationality  Act[http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/13/contents]
* Immigration, Asylum and Nationality  Act[http://www.legislatio.n.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/13/contents]
* Northern Ireland (St Andrews Agreement) Act 2006[http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/transitional/info_office/Act.pdf]
* Northern Ireland (St Andrews Agreement) Act 2006[http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/transitional/info_office/Act.pdf] - provided for the restoration of devolved government
* Racial and Religious Hatred Act
* Racial and Religious Hatred Act
* Terrorism Act 2006[http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/11/contents] -extends the maximum period of detention without trial of terrorist suspects from 14 to 28 days.
* Terrorism Act 2006[http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/11/contents] -extends the maximum period of detention without trial of terrorist suspects from 14 to 28 days.
Line 455: Line 370:
===Events===
===Events===
May 23rd:
May 23rd:
Labour back bench revolt over schools bill[Bank of England Act, 1998[http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2006/may/24/uk.schools]
Labour back bench revolt over schools bill[http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2006/may/24/uk.schools]


July 12th:
July 12th:
Lord Levy is arrested and bailed by police as part of their investigation of the "cash for honours" allegations. Lord Levy, who was Tony Blair's chief fundraiser, denied any wrongdoing and accuses the police of using their arrest powers "totally unnecessarily".  
Fundraiser Lord Levy<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4816692.stm ''Lord Levy: Labour's fundraiser'', BBC News March 6 2007]</ref>  is arrested and bailed by police as part of their investigation of the "cash for honours" allegations[http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2006/jul/12/partyfunding.uk1].  


September 5th:
September 5th:
Line 478: Line 393:


December 14th:
December 14th:
Police interview Tony Blair about the "cash for honours" allegations.
Police interview Tony Blair about the [[Tony Blair/Addendum#The "cash for honours" investigation|"cash for honours"]] allegations.
 
<small>
[[Tony Blair/Timelines#1953-71|RETURN TO TOP]]
</small>


==2007==
==2007==
May 4th: Elections to the [[Scottish Parliament]], the Labour Party loses power; the largest single party in the new Parliament is the pro-independence [[Scottish National Party]], and it takes power as a minority Government under its leader [[Alex Salmond]].
May 8th: Restoration of the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive[http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/08/world/europe/08iht-08irelandcnd.5615646.html]. - announced by the Reverend Ian Paisley, head of the Protestant Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), and Gerry Adams,  head of the Catholic Sinn Fein. ''"We must not allow our justified loathing of the horrors and tragedies of the past to become a barrier to creating a better and more stable future for our children."'' (Ian Paisley). ''"The beginning of a new era of politics on this island."'' (Gerry Adams).


May 8th: Restoration of the Northern Ireland Assembly. Unionist Ian Paisley is sworn in as the First Minister and Republican Martin McGuinness (once a prominent [[IRA]] commander), is  his deputy.
May 10th: Resignation speech at his Sedgefield constituency [http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2007/may/10/labourleadership.labour2] "''This is the greatest nation on earth. It has been an honour to serve it. I give my thanks to you, the British people, for the times I have succeeded, and my apologies to you for the times I have fallen short.


May 10th: Resignation speech[http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2007/may/10/labourleadership.labour2] "''This is the greatest nation on earth. It has been an honour to serve it. I give my thanks to you, the British people, for the times I have succeeded, and my apologies to you for the times I have fallen short.''"
June 27th: Last Prime Minister's Questions  ''"I wish everyone, friend or foe well, and that is that, the end."''
 
June 27th: Resignation


==2008==
==2008==
June: ''High Quality Care For All NHS Next Stage Review Final Report'', [http://www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/@dh/@en/documents/digitalasset/dh_085828.pdf]
June: ''High Quality Care For All NHS Next Stage Review Final Report'', [http://www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/@dh/@en/documents/digitalasset/dh_085828.pdf]
<small>
[[Tony Blair/Timelines#1953-71|RETURN TO TOP]]
</small>


==2009==
==2009==
Line 497: Line 418:


==2010==
==2010==
January 29th:
January 29th:
Tony Blair's evidence to the Iraq Inquiry [http://www.iraqinquiry.org.uk/media/45139/20100129-blair-final.pdf] (transcript) [http://www.iraqinquiry.org.uk/transcripts/oralevidence-bydate/100129.aspx] (Video)
Tony Blair's evidence to the Iraq Inquiry [http://www.iraqinquiry.org.uk/media/45139/20100129-blair-final.pdf] (transcript) [http://www.iraqinquiry.org.uk/transcripts/oralevidence-bydate/100129.aspx] (Video)


March 9th:
Report of House of Lords and House of Commons Joint Committee on Human Rights[http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/jt200910/jtselect/jtrights/85/85.pdf] - dealing with adverse judgments by the European Court of Human Rights and declarations of incompatibility issued by the domestic courts under the Human Rights Act.
==2011==
==2012==
Second statement to the Chilcot Enquiry [http://www.iraqinquiry.org.uk/media/50743/Blair-statement.pdf]


==References==
==References==
::References, with page numbers, to Tony Blair's memoirs (Tony Blair: ''A Journey'', Hutchinson, 2010)  are shown as "Journey (xxx)", and <br>references to Anthony Seldon's biography (Anthony Seldon: ''Blair'',  Free Press, 2004) are shown as "Blair (xxx)".
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}

Latest revision as of 16:57, 29 March 2024

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A timeline (or several) relating to Tony Blair.

1953-94

Father's stroke, 1964.  Fettes College, 1966-71.  Oxford, 1972-1975.  Labour party membership, 1975.  Mother's death, 1975. Law pupil of Derry Irvine, 1976-77. Bar Finals and entry to chambers, 1977.  Employment law practice, 1977-82.  Candidate for Beaconsfield by-election, 1982.

MP for Sedgefield, 1983.  Maiden speech to the House of Commons[1].  Assistant spokesman on Treasury matters, 1984.   Deputy spokesman for Trade and Industry 1987.   Shadow Secretary of State for Employment, 1988.  Member of National Executive Committee of the Labour party, 1989.  Shadow Home Secretary, 1992.

1994

May 12th: The Labour Party leader John Smith dies of a heart attack.

May 31st: Tony Blair and Gordon Brown discuss the leadership election at a private meeting at the Granita restaurant. (Reports that a deal was done at that meeting have since been denied[1]).

June 1st: Gordon Brown announces his support for Tony Blair's candidature.

July 21st: Leader of the Labour Party.

October: Speech to Labour party conference[2] We have changed. We were right to change. Parties that do not change die, and this party is a living movement not an historical monument.

1997

Legislation

  • Northern Ireland Arms Decommissioning Act 1997[3] - established the statutory authority for the establishment of a decommissioning commission and the for the granting of an amnesty against the prosecution of those who surrendered their weapons.

Events

May: General election - Labour wins 419 of the 659 seats. Gordon Brown is appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Announcement that the Bank of England to be given responsibility for the execution of monetary policy in accordance with published government targets (see Bank of England Act 1998).

June: Britain signs the European Union's "Social Chapter"[4] of the EU's Maastricht Treaty - (with its directives on health and safety, working conditions, consultation of workers, sex equality with regard to job opportunities and treatment at work and protection of pensioners and unemployed).

August 26: Anglo-Irish agreement to set up an Independent International Commission on Decommissioning [5](The Decommissioning Act, 1997 in Ireland and the Northern Ireland Arms Decommissioning Act 1997 in the United Kingdom)

August 31: Tony Blair mourns the death, in a traffic accident in France, of Princess Diana, calling her "the people's princess."

September: Devolution referendums in Scotland and Wales come out in favour (by 74.3% in Scotland and 50.3% in Wales)

October: Gordon Brown announces the five tests that must be met before Britain joins the European Common Currency.

December: Backbench concern about proposed reductions in disability benefits[6]

RETURN TO TOP

1998

Legislation

  • Bank of England Act, 1998[7]
  • Competition Act, 1998[8] - aligns UK law with EC law (prohibiting restrictive practices and the abuse of a dominant position}
  • Crime and Disorder Act[9] - Antisocial Behaviour Orders
  • Criminal Justice (Terrorism and Conspiracy) Act[10] - enabled courts to take account of a suspect's refusal to answer questions during the course of an investigation into membership of a terrorist organisation.
  • Human Rights Act[11] - gives effect to rights and freedoms guaranteed under the European Convention on Human Rights[12];
  • Teaching and Higher Education Act [13] - created a new professional standards body (The General Teaching Council), and introduced tuition fees for university students

Events

April: The Belfast Agreement[2] ("The Good Friday Agreement") creating a power-sharing assembly in Northern Ireland.

September: NATO ultimatum to President Milosevic of Yugoslavia to cease aggression against Albanians in Kosovo[14].

October: President Clinton signs the Iraq Liberation Act,1998[3] establishing US policy to remove the Saddam Hussein regime.

December: Operation Desert Fox: Britain and the USA launch air strikes against Iraq after reports that Saddam Hussein is not complying with United Nations weapons inspections.

RETURN TO TOP

1999

Policy statements and legislation

  • Immigration and Asylum Act 1999[15] - replaced welfare benefits for asylum seekers with vouchers, introduced fines for transporting illegal immigrants, restricted the use of marriage for immigration purposes.
  • Modernising Government White Paper[16] - "joined-up thinking" and the elimination of unnecessary regulations.
  • The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (Establishment and Constitution) Order 1999[17].

Events

February: Rambouillet Conference[18] fails to establish a Kosovo settlement

March: Operation Allied Force[19] - air strikes against Serb forces in Kosovo.

May: First elections to the Scottish Parliament and for the Welsh National Assembly. In Scotland, the Labour Party wins an overall majority and takes power under First Minister Donald Dewar. In Wales, Labour wins the largest share of the vote, (but the Welsh nationalists (Plaid Cymru) have their best ever election results).

June: Withdrawal of Serbian troops from Kosovo and the end of the NATO bombing campaign.

September: Speech to the Labour Party Conference[20] " the 21st century will not be about the battle between capitalism and socialism but between the forces of progress and the forces of conservatism. "

RETURN TO TOP

2000

Policy documents and legislation

  • Freedom of Information Act[21] - created a statutory right of access to information held by public authorities except matters relating to security or parliamentary privilege, court records and personal information, and other matters, disclosure of which would be against the public interest.
  • NHS Plan[22] - a revised delivery system; changes between health and social services, career changes for doctors and nurses; and a change in the relationship between the NHS and the private sector.
  • Terrorism Act 2000[23] - extends the definition of terrorism, increases powers of entry and arrest; permits judge-authorised 7-day detention of suspects without charge; enables the seizure of property and finance.

Events

May 7th Operation Palliser[24]: British army stops the civil war in Sierra Leone

May 20th: Birth of son, Leo Blair - the first child born to a sitting Prime Minister for more than 150 years.

June 7th: Speech to the Womens Institute[25] (heckled and slow handclapped)

September 5th: Fuel protests over rise in petrol prices[26]

September 26th: Speech to Labour Party Conference[27] " And they think: you're not listening. What's it got to do with me? Where is this journey's end? And a fog descends on the very dialogue between Government and people necessary to get there...And, yes, there are things we have done that have made people angry and we should be open enough to admit it.

RETURN TO TOP

2001

Legislation

Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001[28] - enabled the home secretary to indefinitely detain, without charge or trial, foreign nationals who were suspected of terrorism, and . limited appeal, except on a point od law, to a closed commission.

Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001[29] - introduces on the spot penalties for disorderly behaviour; measures dealing with the consumption of alcohol in designated public places, the sale of alcohol to persons under the age of 18, drunkenness and disorder on licensed premises, permitting the police to close down licensed premises where disorder is occurring and measures to permit the police to close unlicensed premises selling alcohol

Events

February 15th: British and American aircraft attack targets outside Baghdad[4]

February 19th: Outbreak of foot and mouth disease[30] triggering a year-long farming crisis with the slaughter of thousands of pigs and cattle, and leading to calls for a public inquiry[5]

February 23rd: Meeting with President Bush[31] - "We reaffirm our determination to oppose the development or use of WMD and ballistic missiles by Saddam Hussein and the threat his regime poses to its neighbors, while seeking to protect the Iraqi people from the brutality of Saddam Hussein and his indifference to their humanitarian needs. We call on Iraq to comply with relevant UN Security Council Resolutions."

June: General election: - Labour re-elected by winning 413 of the 659 seats in the House of Commons on a reduced turnout (59 per cent).

September 11th: Terrorist attacks on the USA: four aeroplanes are hijacked by members of al-Qaeda; two are crashed into the World Trade Centre, New York, a third into the Pentagon, Washington.

October 1st: Speech to the Labour Party Conference[32] "For those people who lost their lives on September 11 and those that mourn them; now is the time for the strength to build that community. Let that be their memorial."

December: Afghanistan: the Security Council authorizes International Security Force for Afghanistan and welcomes United Kingdom’s offer to be initial lead nation. Resolution 1386 (2001) adopted unanimously[33]

Responsibility to Protect. Report of the International Commission on Intervention and State Sovereignty[34]

RETURN TO TOP

2002

Legislation

  • Education Act 2002[35]
  • Enterprise Act 2002[36] - created the Office of Fair Trading and strengthened mergers policy.
  • NHS Reform and Health Care Professions Act 2002[37] - reformed the distribution of functions between Health Authorities and Primary Care Trusts and set up the Council for the Regulation of Health Care Professionals.
  • Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002[38]

Events

January 1st: The euro becomes the main currency across the European Union

January 15th Foundation hospital plan announced[39] - (independent self-governing legal entities with their own borrowing powers that are subject to the rules of the NHS but are independent of government departments and health authorities[40])

February 3rd: Speech at the Labour Party annual conference[41] We're at our best when we're at our boldest.

March 8th: Cabinet considers the Iraq "Options Paper"[42] (the paper concludes that: "despite the considerable difficulties, the use of overriding force in a ground campaign is the only option that we can be confident will remove Saddam and bring Iraq back into the international community").

April 8th: Meeting with President Bush at his ranch at Crawford, Texas ("The Crawford meeting") - including a one-to-one meeting with no advisers present: The only commitment I gave, and I gave this very openly, at the meeting was a commitment to deal with Saddam (Tony Blair in testimony to the Chilcot inquiry.[6]).


Speech at the George Bush Senior Presidential Library ("The Texas speech")[43] - "...we must be prepared to act where terrorism or weapons of mass destruction (WMD) threaten us...If necessary the action should be military and again, if necessary and justified, it should involve regime change... leaving Iraq to develop WMD, in flagrant breach of no less than nine separate UN security council resolutions, refusing still to allow weapons inspectors back to do their work properly, is not an option.

September 24th: Publication of the Joint Intelligence Committee's dossier of evidence concerning Iraq's weapons of mass destruction, with a foreword by Tony Blair[44] in which he said ""What I believe the assessed intelligence has established beyond doubt is that Saddam has continued to produce chemical and biological weapons.".

November 8th: United Nations Resolution 1441[7] - "Recalling that its resolution 678 (1990) authorized Member States to use all necessary means to uphold and implement its resolution 660 (1990) of 2 August 1990 and all relevant resolutions subsequent to resolution 660 ...Decides that Iraq has been and remains in material breach of its obligations under relevant resolutions".

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2003

Legislation

  • Anti-social Behaviour Act[45] - gave police new powers to deal with misbehaviour
  • Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003[46]
  • Northern Ireland (Monitoring Commission etc.) Act 2003 [47]

Events

January 23rd: Meeting with President Bush (at the Chilcot inquiry in 2010, Tony Blair answered yes to the question Was your main objective at that meeting to convince the President that, just as you had convinced him that it was important to go through the UN to get the first resolution, that now it was necessary to get a second resolution? [8]).

February 3rd: Publication of second intelligence dossier Iraq-its infrastructure of concealment, deception and intimidation[48] (this document was removed from the national archives in April 2010)

February 5th: US secretary of state's address to the United Nations Security Council[49]. "Iraq has now placed itself in danger of the serious consequences called for in U.N. Resolution 1441. And this body places itself in danger of irrelevance if it allows Iraq to continue to defy its will without responding effectively and immediately".

March 4th: Mori poll indicates that 75% of Britons are in favour of an Iraq war[50].

March 7th: Attorney General's advice [9] - "... I remain of the opinion that the safest legal course would be to secure the adoption of a further resolution to authorise the use of force ... Nevertheless, I accept that a reasonable case can be made that resolution 1441 is capable in principle of reviving the authorisation in 678 without a further resolution."

March 17th: Resignation speech by Robin Cook (Leader of the House of Commons) [10] - " Britain is being asked to embark on a war without agreement in any of the international bodies of which we are a leading partner".

March 18th: Declaration of war. The House of Commons motion that the Government should "use all means necessary to ensure the disarmament of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction"[51] was carried. Tony Blair, proposing, said : "To retreat now, I believe, would put at hazard all that we hold dearest, turn the UN back into a talking shop, stifle the first steps of progress in the Middle East; leave the Iraqi people to the mercy of events on which we would have relinquished all power to influence for the better". The voting for/against was 412/149. (Labour 254/84, Conservative 146/2 Lib Dem 0/52[52])

March 17th: Ultimatum to Iraq by President Bush "All the decades of deceit and cruelty have now reached an end. Saddam Hussein and his sons must leave Iraq within 48 hours. Their refusal to do so will result in military conflict ..."[53].

March 20th: Iraq War - US forces launch first air strikes on Baghdad.

March 27th: The "Coalition of the Willing": The White House lists 49 countries that have offered to support "Operation Iraq Freedom"[54] including Japan, Italy, Spain, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Turkey and the UK.

May 1st: President Bush declares an end to major combat operations in Iraq

May 12th Resignation letter from cabinet minister Clare Short[11] - "the assurances you gave me about the need for a UN mandate to establish a legitimate Iraqi government have been breached".

May 29th: On the BBC's Today programme, defence correspondent Andrew Gilligan says that he had been "told by one of the officials in charge of the dossier that, actually the government probably knew that the 45 minute figure was wrong even before it had decided to put it in" and that "Downing Street... ordered it to be sexed up"

July 9th: The Ministry of Defence names Dr David Kelly, a biological warfare expert with the British Ministry of Defence as the source for Andrew Gilligan's report.

July 18th: David Kelly is found dead, apparently having committed suicide.

July 17th: Address to the US Congress, accepting the Congressional Gold Medal.

July 21st Announcement of an inquiry into the death of Dr Kelly to be led by Lord Hutton[55]

August 28th Tony Blair's testimony to the Hutton inquiry[56]

November: Meeting at Admiralty House at which Tony Blair promises to resign before the next election provided that Gordon Brown supports his policy agenda.

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2004

Legislation

  • Asylum and Immigration (treatment of claimants etc) Act[57]
  • Civil Partnership Act[58] enabled same-sex couples to obtain legal recognition of their relationship by forming a civil partnership (marriage in all but name).
  • Higher Education Act 2004[59] - replaces the fixed student charge of £1125 by variable fees of up to £3000, and introduces student loans in place of fees.

Events

January 27th: Debate on the Higher Education Bill[60] 72 Labour MPs rebelled, and the government won by just five votes.

January 28th: The Hutton Report determines[12] that Kelly took his own life, and that the BBC allegations were unfounded. The chairman and director-general of the BBC, and Andrew Gilligan, the journalist who made the allegations, all resign.

February: Appointment of a panel to conduct an inquiry into pre-war intelligence, led by Lord Butler.

25 March: Talks with Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, after Libya renounced weapons of mass destruction in December.

April 20th: Announcement of a proposed referendum on a new EU constitution.

June 15th: A New Relationship with Schools[61] published jointly by Ofsted and DfES .

July: 10-year science & innovation investment plan[13].

July 14th: The Butler report is published. It criticises the intelligence basis for claims that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction, and says that the assertion that Iraq could use weapons of mass destruction within 45 minutes was unsubstantiated. However, the report found no evidence the intelligence had been manipulated by Blair and his aides.

September 15th: Speech on the urgent need for action on climate change.

September 30th: Iraq Survey Group Final Report[62] - "There is an extensive, yet fragmentary and circumstantial, body of evidence suggesting that Saddam pursued a strategy to maintain a capability to return to WMD after sanctions were lifted by preserving assets and expertise. In addition to preserved capability, we have clear evidence of his intent to resume WMD as soon as sanctions were lifted".

October 1st: Tony Blair announces that if he wins the next election he will serve a full term[63].

October 13th Michael Howard accuses Tony Blair of lying about Iraq's weapons of mass destruction[64].

November: George Bush is re-elected President of the USA.


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2005

Policy documents and legislation

  • Constitutional Reform Act[65] - created a new Supreme Court; removed the Law Lords from membership of the House of Lords; changed the office of Lord Chancellor so that the holder is no longer the formal head of the judiciary; provided a statutory guarantee to uphold judicial independence and the rule of law.
  • Prevention of Terrorism Act 2005[66] - enables Ministers to issue a "control order"[67] (an order to place a terrorism suspect under close supervision).
  • White Paper Cm 6472 Controlling our borders: Making migration work for Britain[68] - A five-year plan to crack down on illegal immigrants and provide for their removal, including fines for colluding employers. A proposal for the introduction of a points system based upon industry's needs for skills.
  • White Paper Cm 6476 14-19 Education and Skills[69]

Events

May 5th: General election: the Labour government remains in power but with a much reduced parliamentary majority of 64 seats.

May 29th: French voters reject the EU proposed constitution in a referendum.

June 15-17: European Union summit[70] - British officials reject a budget plan for the years 2007-2013, after offering to freeze Britain's budget rebate in return for a guarantee that the EU's system of agricultural subsidies would be overhauled.

June 23rd: Speech to the European Parliament[71] "If we [are]... prepared to send back some of the unnecessary regulation, peel back some of the bureaucracy and become a champion of a global, outward-looking, competitive Europe -- then it will not be hard to capture the imagination and support of the people of Europe."

July 6th: London wins bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games.

July 7th: Suicide bombers kill 52 people in attacks on London mass transport.

July 8th: The G8 summit in Edinburgh, agrees to increase aid for developing countries by $50 billion.
"if we actually make sure that there is universal access, right, to HIV-Aids treatment by 2010, ... put the money we say we are going to put through aid and give primary education to young people in Africa ... . establish the peace-keeping force that we have got there, plus the money necessary to do it ... " (press conference 8 July 2005[72] )

November 9th: Government defeat in a House of Commons debate on the clause in Terrorism Act that would have enabled the police to detain a suspected terrorist for up to 90 days without charge.

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2006

Legislation

  • Education and Inspections Act 2006[73]
  • Equality Act 2006[74] - created the Equality and Human Rights Commission with a remit to make a progress report to Parliament every 3 years
  • Health Act 2006[75]: Prohibited of smoking in enclosed public places and workplaces.
  • Identity Cards Act[76] - created the legal framework to establish a national identity register and to issue identity cards (never applied to British citizens)
  • Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act[77]
  • Northern Ireland (St Andrews Agreement) Act 2006[78] - provided for the restoration of devolved government
  • Racial and Religious Hatred Act
  • Terrorism Act 2006[79] -extends the maximum period of detention without trial of terrorist suspects from 14 to 28 days.

Events

May 23rd: Labour back bench revolt over schools bill[80]

July 12th: Fundraiser Lord Levy[14] is arrested and bailed by police as part of their investigation of the "cash for honours" allegations[81].

September 5th: One minister and four government aides are among 17 Labour MPs who have written to Tony Blair urging him to quit[82].

September 7th: Tony Blair confirms that he will step down as prime minister within the next 12 months[83].

September 12th: Tony Blair's last speech to the Trades Union Congress.

September 26th: Speech to the Labour Party Conference[84]

October 13th: The St Andrews Agreement[85] between the governments of the UK and Ireland that lead to the restoration of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

November 15th: The Queen's Speech to the State Opening of Parliament - Tony Blair's final legislative programme[86]

December 14th: Police interview Tony Blair about the "cash for honours" allegations.

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2007

May 8th: Restoration of the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive[87]. - announced by the Reverend Ian Paisley, head of the Protestant Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), and Gerry Adams, head of the Catholic Sinn Fein. "We must not allow our justified loathing of the horrors and tragedies of the past to become a barrier to creating a better and more stable future for our children." (Ian Paisley). "The beginning of a new era of politics on this island." (Gerry Adams).

May 10th: Resignation speech at his Sedgefield constituency [88] "This is the greatest nation on earth. It has been an honour to serve it. I give my thanks to you, the British people, for the times I have succeeded, and my apologies to you for the times I have fallen short.

June 27th: Last Prime Minister's Questions "I wish everyone, friend or foe well, and that is that, the end."

2008

June: High Quality Care For All NHS Next Stage Review Final Report, [89]

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2009

December 12th: Interview with Fern Britton[90] - asked whether he would still have gone on with plans to join the US-led invasion had he known at the time that there were no WMD. He said: "I would still have thought it right to remove him. I mean obviously you would have had to use and deploy different arguments, about the nature of the threat."

2010

January 29th: Tony Blair's evidence to the Iraq Inquiry [91] (transcript) [92] (Video)

March 9th: Report of House of Lords and House of Commons Joint Committee on Human Rights[93] - dealing with adverse judgments by the European Court of Human Rights and declarations of incompatibility issued by the domestic courts under the Human Rights Act.

2011

2012

Second statement to the Chilcot Enquiry [94]

References

References, with page numbers, to Tony Blair's memoirs (Tony Blair: A Journey, Hutchinson, 2010) are shown as "Journey (xxx)", and
references to Anthony Seldon's biography (Anthony Seldon: Blair, Free Press, 2004) are shown as "Blair (xxx)".