Blair launches prime-time television offensive
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Tony Blair yesterday pictured on the Des O'Connor Show as part of a charm offensive to dispel his "smarmy" image. Added to an appearance on BBc Radio 4's Woman's Hour, he was trying to show that like other 14- year-old schoolboys, he was a bit of a teenage tearaway, writes Colin Brown.
The leader of the Labour Party wanted to go a bit further than most other boys who bunked off from school, however. When he played truant, he tried to catch a flight to the Bahamas. "It was one of the craziest things I've ever done."
His parents put him on a train in Newcastle to return to Fettes School in Edinburgh, but instead of heading off to lessons and "fagging" for older boys, he got changed into casual clothes and made his way to Newcastle Airport, where he joined passengers on a flight.
"I snuck onto the plane, and we were about to take off when the stewardess came up to me and said: `I don't think I actually saw your boarding pass'."
He told her: "Don't tell anyone, but I'm running away."
His escape never got off the ground. But the disclosure that he had played truant may have endeared Mr Blair to the elderly women, who, according to the polls, have so far proved impervious to his charms, and find him "smarmy".
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments