Jon Sopel

"In this timely biography, Jon Sopel, a leading BBC parliamentary commentator who was given unique access to Tony Blair during his leadership campaign, paints a vivid picture of the man who is not only likely to transform the Labour Party but to put it in power after a generation in the wilderness. Based on interviews with family and friends, and all the key political figures who have helped and opposed Blair along the way, this book presents a rounded picture of Tony Blair's personality, views and political track record and gauges their effect on the Labour Party as we know it." "Although Tony Blair has taken the Labour Party by storm, he has the classic credentials of a Tory politician - public school, Oxford and the Bar. Jori Sopel compares Tony Blair with other Labour politicians past and present and analyses his mould-breaking views on law and order and on Labour's relationship with the unions, as well as the importance of his Christian faith. And now that Tony Blair has shifted Labour firmly towards the centre-ground of British politics, the book assesses what role there is left for the Liberal Democrats and what impact Blair will have upon the Conservatives."--BOOK JACKET.