Tony Blair
2 November 2026
2:00-3:30pm
Online or Rewley House 1 Wellington Square, Oxford, OX1 2JA
Event status:
Applications being accepted
Location:
Online or Rewley House 1 Wellington Square, Oxford, OX1 2JA
Dates:
2 November 2026
Study Format:
Online - live
Fees:
From £15.00 to £18.00
Labour’s self-proclaimed moderniser, Tony Blair, secured three consecutive general election victories—an achievement unprecedented in the party’s history and one that had eluded even Harold Wilson. Promoting the 'New Labour' brand as a social and economic renewal for the 21st century, Blair capitalised on a strong economy and an initial budget surplus to support redistribution through increased public spending.
Child benefits rose significantly in real terms, the NHS received its largest funding boost since its foundation in 1948, nursery provision expanded substantially, and the pledge to place a computer in every classroom—central to the mantra of 'Education, Education, Education'—was fulfilled. Constitutional reform also featured prominently, with devolution for Scotland and Wales and reform of the House of Lords.
However, Blair’s ambition to take the United Kingdom into the Eurozone encountered both public scepticism and resistance from within government, not least Gordon Brown’s change of position, highlighting the limits of his authority despite repeated electoral success.
This lecture is part of The Re-elected Prime Ministers: Their Reputations Revised? lecture series, taking place on Mondays from 5 October 2026 to 9 November 2026. You may either register for individual lectures or the entire lecture series at a reduced price.
This lecture will close to enrolments at 23:59 GMT on 28 October 2026.
Book this course
You can opt to attend this teaching event either online (via a livestream) or in person at Rewley House, Oxford. You will be given the option of how you wish to attend during the enrolment process. You can only pick one option. If your preferred attendance format is fully booked, you can email us to be put on the waiting list. For those who wish to attend online, please read the IT requirements below before enrolling.
Accommodation
If you wish to stay with us before and/or after the event, please contact our Residential Centre for availability and discounted rates.
Call +44 (0) 1865 270362 or email res-ctr@conted.ox.ac.uk
Our accommodation in Wellington Square has been rated as 4-Star Campus Accommodation under Visit England. All bedrooms are modern, comfortably furnished with tea/coffee making facilities, Freeview television, private bath/shower rooms and free WiFi. For more details see our accommodation information.
IT requirements
We will be using Zoom for the livestreaming of this lecture series. If you’re attending online, you’ll be able to see and hear the speakers, and to submit questions via the Zoom interface. Joining instructions will be sent out prior to the start date. We recommend that you join the session at least 10-15 minutes prior to the start time – just as you might arrive a bit early at our lecture theatre for an in-person event.
Please note that this lecture will not be recorded.
Fees
| Description | Costs |
|---|---|
| In-person event fee (includes tea/coffee and a pastry) | £18.00 |
| Virtual event fee | £15.00 |
Funding
If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, or are a care-leaver in the UK, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:
Concessionary fees for short courses
Payment
Please see the terms and conditions for our open-access courses.
Dr Martin Holmes
Dr Martin Holmes is a member of the Senior Common Room at St Hugh’s College, where he was previously Lecturer in Politics for over 20 years. Additionally, he has been Director of the annual Nebraska at Oxford summer program since 1989. For Oxford Lifelong Learning, he has taught several syllabi on the Foundations of Diplomacy course over the past decade, as well as guest lectures for the Diplomatic Studies Program. A strong supporter of lifelong education, he has also been a regular lecturer for the University of the Third Age (U3A). A specialist in International Relations and European Integration, he is the author of seven books. His latest publication, a diplomatic history of 20th century Europe, was published by Routledge in August: From the Treaty of Versailles to the Treaty of Maastricht: Conflict, carnage and cooperation in Europe 1918 – 93.
Module code: O26P106DSL
Please use the ‘Book’ button on this page. Alternatively, please contact us on events@conted.ox.ac.uk to obtain an application form.
You can opt to attend this teaching event either online (via a livestream) or in person at Rewley House, Oxford. You will be given the option of how you wish to attend during the enrolment process. You can only pick one option. If your preferred attendance format is fully booked, you can email us to be put on the waiting list. For those who wish to attend online, please read the IT requirements below before enrolling.
