Broken Vows: Tony Blair—The Tragedy of Power by Tom Bower. A warped take on his years in power. Blair has his many faults, but this book fails to cover his achievements.
Bower’s disdain of Tony Blair reeks all the way through the book. It is obvious from the preface that it is implied that Blair’s intentions in his new employment are less than ethical. The book’s selective take is borderline biased and occasionally vindictive on Blair’s rather uncollegiate style of governing. Bower is pretty confirming his own dislike of Blair.
The biography is gossipy albeit well-researched. Bower’s extensive access to insiders during Blair’s decade in power is impressive. The repeated observations on Blair’s lack of interest in detail, or domestic politics in favour of international statesmanship. Blair is portrayed as weak against Brown who has nothing but disgust for him. Money is thrown at schemes that doesn’t work. Policy is reactionary and ministerial choices are questionable.
The examination of the Iraq and Afghanistan saga is detailed without directly accusing Blair of the WMD question. However, Blair’s self-belief about exporting his faith-based ideology is left looking like a failure.
By the time it is time to stand down, Blair is portrayed as failing to miss his moment to leave on a high and instead is nudged out in a Thatcherite manner. His post-prime ministerial era is portrayed as bordering on the unethical in his dealings in Africa, and his role in the Quartet is a failure. Bower observes that he can negotiate but lacks the skills to seal the deal.
But what is problematic with this biography is its blinkered view of the Blair era. It was, on certain levels, a success with repeated election wins, modernisation of the country, and a strong economy (which went bust in 2008). Undoubtedly, he was a charismatic leader and brought the different factions in the party together. But Bower is only interested in assassinating his character through his dealings with ministers and civil servants.
Blair is portrayed as failing in the Israel-Gaza conflict and being too biased for the job. Yet his return to the conflict in 2025 through Trump suggests his international reputation is holding up.
Bower’s style is readable, but the level of detail means it really comes up for air when the subject is getting complicated. As a highly detailed biography, it stakes its claim as a valuable biography. But it falls short, often reading more as a confirmation of Bower’s dislike of Blair rather than an objective exploration of the man and his legacy.
