The Rise and Fall of Tony Blair

In a landmark two-part series, the policies and personality of the man who has ruled Britain for the last decade are examined by Andrew Rawnsley, widely regarded as one of the most authoritative chroniclers of New Labour's time in power. The series features exclusive interviews with senior Cabinet members, civil servants, generals, and allies, opponents and intimates of Tony Blair.

Brown inherits a Britain far removed from that which elected Blair ten years ago, in a world that has changed, politically speaking, beyond recognition. Tony Blair has presided over some of the most momentous changes in recent British history.

"There are no true friends in politics. We are all sharks circling, and waiting, for traces of blood to appear in the water." So said Alan Clark, the late MP and diarist.

The traces of blood started to appear around Tony Blair several years ago, but the coup de grace will be delivered on 28 June 2007, when the Prime Minister steps down. True to Clark's words, he will be succeeded by the man many see as Blair's political assassin, Gordon Brown, a man whom Blair had once looked upon as a true friend.