Blair: The Inside Story

First episode of a three-part documentary series in which Michael Cockerell tells the inside story of Tony Blair's controversial ten years at the top. Candid interviews with Downing Street insiders, Cabinet colleagues and rivals cast new light on key events and on the Prime Minister's complex character. Part One covers the years up to 9/11. New Labour had been swept to power pledged to transform Britain and make the world a better place.

Michael Cockerell tells the inside story of Tony Blair as war leader. When he came to power, Blair proclaimed his hope that he would not have to send a single British soldier to war. Yet he ordered troops into battle five times in his first six years. Using interviews with key insiders Cockerell tells how Blair was able to build as close a relationship with President Bush as he had with Clinton, and shows how Blair's sense of personal mission led him into wars that climaxed with Iraq.

The final part of Michael Cockerell's series telling the inside story of Tony Blair's final years in office. It is a period dominated by a range of crises: Blair's heart problems, his troubles with Gordon Brown, the aftermath of Iraq, cash for honours allegations and endless questions about when he would leave office. Downing Street insiders, Cabinet colleagues and rivals talk candidly about the longest-serving Labour prime minister in our history.