The special relationship between Blair and God

It was an unusual preliminary to the war. No British prime minister before Tony Blair has set the scene for a military campaign with a visit to the Vatican for a blessing by the Pope. Admittedly it was not a state visit. Tony Blair’s trip to the Vatican was apparently in the capacity of the spouse of a practising Catholic. Nevertheless, it was very striking indeed that the Prime Minister, visibly exhausted by a demanding schedule, should find the time on the eve of war.

It is now conventionally held that Tony Blair is the most religious prime minister since Gladstone. ‘There is no doubt,’ writes the Sunday Telegraph columnist Matthew d’Ancona, ‘that he seeks authorisation for war, as well as personal spiritual solace, in the Gospels.’ D’Ancona is one of many who see Blair’s Christian faith as the key to understanding his personality as prime minister, insisting that it lends a special moral dimension to everything he does, setting him apart from less devout politicians. D’Ancona, who has spoken at length to Blair about his religion, asserts that the Kosovo war also was inspired by the Prime Minister’s Christian commitment. Indeed, Tony Blair was the first to use the term ‘crusade’ in connection with the Balkans, a regrettable phrase later appropriated by President Bush in the aftermath of 11 September.

Religion is a difficult subject. History shows that it has served as a cloak for the most monstrous abuse, as well as inspiring great holiness and simple goodness. Tony Blair’s Christianity has always been taken on trust. But the Prime Minister asserts, time and again, that this war goes to the core of his personal convictions. So what exactly is going on when Tony Blair turns to the Gospels for truth and solace?

The first point to note is that even though the Prime Minister once said, ‘I can’t stand politicians who wear God on their sleeve,’ he himself has often done precisely that.