Gesture politics that isn't going to change anyone's mind

Published on Monday 16 August 2010 17:29

There is no doubt that Tony Blair's premiership will be remembered for its wars. His time in office was regularly punctuated by military conflict - Kosovo, Sierra Leone, Iraq and, not least, Afghanistan, where Britain is still involved in what is now one of the longest wars in its history.

So perhaps we should not be surprised that Mr Blair has decided to devote the profits from his memoirs of his time as prime minister to a centre for the rehabilitation of those who have been injured in war. It may be regarded as a recognition of the unusually heavy demands he made on the armed forces.

But, of course, the morality, legality and wisdom of each of Mr Blair's wars has been the subject of intense controversy and debate. Indeed, doubtless the former prime minister will use his memoirs to argue once again why he believes each of those decisions was right.

Given that controversy, we should not be surprised that Mr Blair's critics have claimed that the donation represents "blood money". Generous though it might seem, they will feel the donation cannot possibly atone for what they regard as seriously flawed decisions.

Indeed, it is unlikely Mr Blair's gift will do much to change many people's views of his premiership. He might once have been one of the country's most popular prime ministers, but by the time he left office, Mr Blair had become a deeply divisive figure.

As Margaret Thatcher could tell him, once gained, such a reputation is not easily dispelled.

Still, the donation may help Mr Blair avoid one potential controversy. The former prime minister's appetite for fine houses and his success at making money since leaving office has been the subject of many a critical comment.

At least his critics will not now be able to argue that Mr Blair has used his memoirs to make yet another unethical buck.

• John Curtice is Professor of Politics, Strathclyde University