Tony Blair '˜finds it hard' to be hated by people

Tony Blair says he should have communicated more. Picture: PA

The former prime minister, who swept to power on a surge of popularity 20 years ago, also insisted the image of him concentrating on making money around the world since he left office in 2007 was wrong.

Asked how he felt about being considered toxic by some and totally hated by others, Mr Blair told GQ: “Yep, it’s hard. It’s all about coming to terms with the fact that when you’re running for power you can be all things to all people.

“But when you achieve power you have to make decisions and when that happens, and the process of government is your life, you become less popular.”

He said he should have communicated more after he left power as his silence had allowed others to portray him in a bad light.

Mr Blair, widely criticised over the invasion of Iraq, described the situation in Syria as a “hideous blot” on Western foreign policy.

“When the Arab Spring began, what I said to people was be very careful because you have been through a situation in Iraq and Afghanistan where you have removed a dictatorship but then the problems begin.

“So, if you can evolve a transition, do that. My view on Syria and Libya was it would have been better to have agreed a process of transition, so if you could cut a deal, which I think you could have, with Gaddafi, or Assad, for transition, that would be better.”

“Then having said you wanted them to go, you had to get them out. And the problem in Syria is that we have insisted he go, but then not made him go. And the inevitability therefore of a civil war as a result of that was, I’m afraid, very clear.”

Mr Blair also warned Scotland about opting to break away from the UK, stating: “I do not think independence is sensible for Scotland even if Brexit happens.”