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9 Reasons Lefties Should Love Tony Blair

9 Reasons Lefties Should Love Tony Blair
The Huffington Post UK
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Tony Blair, former U.K. prime minister, speaks during an event at Bloomberg LP's offices in London, U.K., on Wednesday, April 23, 2014. Blair told an audience in London today that governments must overcome their resistance to talking about religion to tackle conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa and engage in 'the essential battle' for global security. Photographer: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Bloomberg via Getty Images

Tony Blair's warned on Tuesday that the Labour Party must not become more eurosceptic or more anti-immigration in response to the threat from Ukip. The former prime minister told the BBC that to do so would "confuse its own supporters" and would not draw any greater support.

Since leaving office in 2007, Blair has lost a lot of the support he once had within Labour ranks. But his intervention has reminded people that he was actually a Labour prime minister, not a Conservative one. So with that in mind, here are nine reasons why some people on the left might want to reconsider their loathing for Blair.

9 Reasons To Like Tony Blair
Immigration(01 of10)
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Tony Blair fought off an anti-immigration campaign run by Michael Howard's Tories in 2005. In his conference speech that year, Blair told Labour delegates: "One of the most satisfying things about the election was that the country saw through the Tories' nasty, unprincipled campaign on immigration. People who come to work and make their lives here make Britain not weaker but stronger." (credit:PA)
The minimum wage(02 of10)
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The minimum wage was introduced in April 1999, having been a key part of Labour 1997 election manifesto. The policy was opposed by the Conservatives. However fast forward to 2015 and George Osborne was advocating a 'National Living Wage' of more than £9 an hour by 2020. (credit:PA)
Europe(03 of10)
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Tony Blair was a strong advocate of Britain playing a role in the heart of Europe and signed the UK up to the Social Chapter, guaranteeing workers' rights. (credit:Getty Images)
Gay rights(04 of10)
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Tony Blair's government equalised the age of consent, removed the ban on gay people serving in the military, introduced civil partnerships, enacted hate crime legislation, banned discrimination in the workplace and allowed gay couples to adopt. (credit:PA)
101 women MPs(05 of10)
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Under Tony Blair, Labour introduced all-women shortlists for candidate selection. In 1997, 101 women female Labour MPs were elected. (credit:PA)
The NHS(06 of10)
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In 1997 NHS spending was at around 5% of GDP. By 2010 NHS spending had risen to around 10% of GDP. (credit:Getty Images)
International development(07 of10)
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Tony Blair created the Department for International Development after winning election in 1997, creating a new cabinet level position and taking aid policy out of the Foreign Office. Aid spending became one of the key planks of David Cameron's 'detoxification' strategy and he is now committed to spending 0.7% of GDP on development. (credit:PA)
Fox hunting ban(08 of10)
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Blair pushed the fox hunting ban through, even using the Parliament Act to push it through the Lords. After being confronted by a huge pro-hunt demonstration, Blair observed there could not be too many hunts going on. "There hasn't been a safer day for foxes for years," he joked. (credit:PA)
The Tories couldn't touch him(09 of10)
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Tony Blair saw off four Conservative leaders. He beat John Major in 1997, William Hague in 2001 and Michael Howard in 2005. And he beat poor Iain Duncan Smith without even having to face him in an election.
Oh...(10 of10)
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(credit:Getty Images)

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