{"product_id":"heroes-or-villains-the-blair-government-reconsidered-1","title":"Heroes or Villains?: The Blair Government Reconsidered","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cblockquote\u003eTony Blair was a political colossus in Britain for thirteen years, winning three elections in a row for New Labour. Since leaving office, he has been disowned by many in his own party, and the term \"Blairite\" has become an insult. This book reconsiders the history and common view of New Labour against its record of delivering moderate social democracy. It shows how New Labour was not one party but two, and how it essentially governed as a coalition, much like the government that followed it. The book tells the inside story of how Blair worked out his ideas for improving the NHS and school reform, his foreign policy of liberal interventionism, his difficult relationship with his Chancellor, and how Gordon Brown finally took over just as the boom went bust and the New Labour era came to an end. The arguments that raged within and around the Blair government of 1997-2007 remain very much alive: reform of public services, the right course for the divided Labour Party, and the Iraq war. The Blair Government Reconsidered aims to provide a balanced account of how decisions were made to allow the reader to make up their own mind about controversies that still dominate politics today. \u003c\/blockquote\u003e\u003cp\u003e                                                            \u003cstrong\u003eFormat\u003c\/strong\u003e: Paperback \/ softback\u003cbr\u003e                              \u003cstrong\u003eLength\u003c\/strong\u003e: 384 pages\u003cbr\u003e                              \u003cstrong\u003ePublication date\u003c\/strong\u003e: 20 May 2021\u003cbr\u003e                              \u003cstrong\u003ePublisher\u003c\/strong\u003e: Oxford University Press\u003cbr\u003e                          \u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFor thirteen years, Tony Blair reigned as the political giant in Britain, securing three consecutive election victories for New Labour, two of which were achieved with substantial majorities. However, since his departure from office, he has faced widespread disownment within his own party, with the term \"Blairite\" becoming a derogatory insult. The election of Jeremy Corbyn as the leader of the Labour Party in 2015 marked a significant departure from Blair's long dominance of the centre and left-leaning politics in Britain. In their book, \"The Blair Government Reconsidered,\" Jon Davis and John Rentoul delve into the history and prevailing perception of New Labour, challenging the notion that it was a singular entity and instead presenting it as a coalition-like government, akin to the one that followed.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe authors, drawing upon fresh insights from key figures in the Blair government, including Tony Blair himself, Jon Davis, and John Rentoul, reassess the legacy and common understanding of New Labour against its record of delivering moderate social democracy. They unveil how New Labour operated as two distinct factions, rather than a unified party, and how it effectively governed as a coalition, much like the subsequent administration. This book delves into the behind-the-scenes story of Tony Blair's development of ideas for improving the NHS and school reform, his gradual embrace of a foreign policy of liberal interventionism, his ten-year management of a challenging relationship with his Chancellor, and the eventual transition to Gordon Brown's leadership just as the economic boom reached its peak and the New Labour era drew to a close. Rentoul and Davis shed light on the dynamics within the governing.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Blair government of 1997-2007, encompassing the Blairites, Brownites, temporary ministers, and permanent civil servants who worked alongside them, are examined in depth. Many of the arguments that raged within and around this government remain highly relevant today, including the reform of public services, the course to be taken for the divided Labour Party, and the Iraq war. The primary objective of \"The Blair Government Reconsidered\" is to provide a balanced account of the decisions made during this period. The authors aim to shed light on the complexities and challenges faced by the government, while also acknowledging its achievements and contributions to British politics. By reassessing the history and legacy of New Labour, this book offers valuable insights into the political landscape of recent decades and provides a fresh perspective on the events and decisions that shaped the country.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e                            \u003cstrong\u003eWeight\u003c\/strong\u003e: 418g                            \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimension\u003c\/strong\u003e: 139 x 214 x 32 (mm)                            \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eISBN-13\u003c\/strong\u003e: 9780198862819                                                      \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"JonDavis,JohnRentoul","offers":[{"title":"Paperback \/ softback","offer_id":44100503044346,"sku":"9780198862819","price":11.06,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0522\/4297\/2845\/products\/2139152c50a8ec767bdb8a2e3fd3fd90.jpg?v=1632455212","url":"https:\/\/shulphink.com\/products\/heroes-or-villains-the-blair-government-reconsidered-1","provider":"Shulph Ink","version":"1.0","type":"link"}