Profile of Tony Blair
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom since May 1, 1997.
The Labour Party's first prime minister to serve two successive terms.
September 30, 2004 -- Announces in an interview that he will undergo "a routine procedure" on October 1st, to correct what he described as a heart flutter.
Supported U.S. President George W. Bush in war against Iraq, despite strong opposition to the war within his own party and country.
Personal data:
Birth date: May 6, 1953
Birth place: Edinburgh, Scotland.
Birth name: Anthony Charles Lynton Blair
Parents: Leo Charles Blair and Hazel Corscadden.
Spouse: Cherie Booth, married in 1980. Children: Euan, Nicholas, Kathryn, Leo. A fifth child died in a miscarriage in August 2002.
Education: B.A. St. John's College, Oxford, 1975
Religion: Church of England
Current residence: Number 10, Downing Street, London.
Background information:
Although born in Scotland, Blair spent most of his childhood in Durham, England.
His son Leo was born in May 2000, and was the first baby born to a serving prime minister in 150 years.
In his youth, Blair acted in plays and sang in a rock band.
He moved the Labour Party to a more centrist position by reducing the influence of trade unions and dropping the Party's goal of "collective ownership."
He supports switching the British currency to the euro, but the public is opposed to it.
He told his family he might lose his job over his decision to support the war in Iraq.
Career Highlights (chronological order):
1976-1983 - After finishing his law studies at Oxford, practiced as a barrister in London.
1982 - Lost an attempt to win a seat in parliament for the district of Beaconsfield, but impressed Labour Party members with his ambition and ability.
1983 - Was chosen for, and won, a seat in parliament for Sedgefield, near Durham.
1984-1988 - Front bench spokesman for Labour Party
1988 - Promoted to shadow cabinet as shadow secretary of energy.
1992 - Appointed shadow home secretary.
July 21, 1994 - Became the youngest leader of the Labour Party when chosen to replace Labour Party leader John Smith who died of a heart attack in July 1994.
May 1997 - Blair led the Labour Party to win 419 seats in the House of Commons and its first electoral victory since 1979. Blair became Prime Minister.
June 7, 2001 - Blair was re-elected in general elections by a landslide majority.
October 19, 2003 - Blair is hospitalized after suffering irregular heart rhythms.
Websites: http://www.number-10.gov.uk/output/page4.asp
Sources: World Leaders, Official Biography, New York Times, Marquis Who's Who, Facts.com
