Pragmaticus - The First Blair Ministry, 1997-2001

The First Blair Ministry, 1997-2001: The Dawn of New Labour

12/04/25

PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR AND FOREIGN SECRETARY ROBIN COOK, IMAGE: EUROPEAN COMMUNITES

On the 1st of May 1997, Tony Blair achieved an electoral landslide victory and brought to an end 18 years of Conservative rule, securing a huge majority of 179 seats which enjoyed widespread popular support in the 97’ General Election. Blair’s election marked the first Labour election campaign to successfully achieve a parliamentary majority since 1974 and heralded a new era of Third Way politics, which accepted the economic reforms of Margaret Thatcher but wished to adapt them to achieve traditional left-wing goals of social justice. The first ‘New Labour’ administration transformed many parts of Britain as we crossed a new millennium, and the effects of their domestic and foreign policy actions can still be felt today.

The First Blair Ministry was headed by Prime Minister Tony Blair. Notable figures in the first Blair Ministry include Gordon Brown as Chancellor of the Exchequer, John Prescott as Deputy Prime Minister, as well as Robin Cook as Foreign Secretary, David Blunkett as Education Secretary and Peter Mandelson as Minister Without Portfolio.

BLAIR IN 1997, IMAGE: UK GOVERNMENT

Constitutional Reform

Some of the longest-lasting changes that this administration introduced were the changes to the governance and constitution of our political system. As Blair came to power, he changed the format of Prime Minister’s Questions from two 15-minute sessions to a singular 30-minute session on a Wednesday (a format that continues to this day). Then, the First Blair Ministry began introducing a significant expansion in regional governance (devolution) with the creation of both the Scottish and Welsh parliaments, which were granted significant powers in areas such as education and healthcare policy (see here for Scottish devolutionary settlement, see here for Welsh devolutionary settlement).

Back in Westminster, an attempt to reform the House of Lords yielded mixed results. While the 1997 Labour Party Manifesto had promised to remove all hereditary peers (Lords who inherit their title and job from their fathers), the difficulties in doing so proved insurmountable and thus, while many were removed, 92 remained in their place at the end of Blair’s first term (see House of Lords Act 1999). Finally, the government successfully passed the Human Rights Act 1998, which granted all UK citizens 16 fundamental human rights (including the right to a private life and the right to education). All of these reforms were not only consequential when they were passed but have continued to shape the debate today as politicians argue over devolving further powers to the regional institutions and argue whether it is necessary to have the Human Rights Act 1998.

THE HOUSE OF LORDS, IMAGE: HENRY LAWFORD

Domestic Policy

New Labour’s approach to domestic policy was bemoaned by many as overly cautious during their first term, however, they did implement a series of reforms that had a significant impact on the lives of the British people. As soon as Gordon Brown became Chancellor in 1997, he sent a letter giving the Bank of England operational independence. This meant that the Chancellor could no longer manipulate interest rates and how much money the government printed to their political advantage, but rather, in theory, the independent Governor of the Bank of England would do what they viewed necessary to ensure the health of the British Economy.

Regarding public spending, the government was initially very cautious, as during the election they promised to remain within the Conservatives’ spending limits until 1999. However, once this period had ended, the government increased public spending in areas such as health (increasing 5.0%), education (by 2.7%), and public order and safety (3.2% per year) (as per this select committee report). This was accompanied by a series of reforms, including the increased use of private companies to build and maintain schools and hospitals through Private Finance Initiatives. Furthermore, in 2000, the government introduced legislation for city academies to increase standards through blending government funding and private management. Additionally, the National Minimum Wage Act 1998 was passed, which ensured a basic rate of pay for all workers regardless of skill or experience. These reforms marked a significant break from the previous Conservative administration.

CHANCELLOR BROWN, IMAGE: HM TREASUARY

Foreign Affairs

While these reforms were being carried out on the domestic front, the first Blair administration also had to confront a series of foreign challenges. As soon as they came into power, the new government established the Department for International Development as a separate organisation from the Foreign Office for the first time. This was to facilitate the new government’s focus on international aid as a way to help the neediest and play an active role in helping poorer countries to tackle often enormous challenges. Blair’s first significant act on the world stage was to oversee the handover of Hong Kong to China following the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration, which sought to bring an end to over a century of British rule. While Blair did not negotiate this accord, he oversaw its implementation, which passed without incident. Less than a year later, Tony Blair signed the Good Friday (Belfast) Agreement, which sought to bring an end to the troubles on the island of Ireland that had plagued both the United Kingdom and Ireland for decades. This Act established the power-sharing arrangements that are still used today for the governance of Northern Ireland, and this agreement was widely considered to be a resounding diplomatic success.

A further success came with Blair’s actions regarding Kosovo. The government of Yugoslavia had been increasingly persecuting the Kosovan population, and Tony Blair believed that the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) should get involved and stop the situation from escalating. Following a great deal of international wrangling, a NATO force was deployed and removed the Yugoslav government (the UK report on the operation is available here. During the 78-day operation, there was not a single NATO casualty there was not a single NATO casualty. This was so deeply celebrated by the Kosovan people that 'Tonibler’ has now become a name that many boys are given in the country, honouring the Labour Prime Minister.

BLAIR PICTURED WITH CHILDREN NAMED AFTER HIM, IMAGE: PUBLIC DOMAIN VIA WIKICOMMONS

Conclusion

Today, the reception of this first new Labour administration is mixed. Some criticise its lack of ambition and its failure to ‘truly revolutionise’ Britain. Others praise it as the most progressive government in recent memory that changed Britain forever. What is clear is that the first New Labour administration marked a significant turning point from the previous 18 years of Conservative rule. The policies outlined above (and many more, including equalising the age of consent between homosexual and heterosexual people equalising the age of consent between homosexual and heterosexual people, the introduction of tuition fees and the decision to stay out of the Euro) have helped to define modern Britain and much of our politics, for better or for worse.

Connor Summerell

Contributor

12/04/25