The grassy, flower speckled settings may have been similar, but in the newspaper photographs from 1997 and those taken yesterday recording the Blairs’ stroll to the polls for Britain’s general elections, the passage of four years was clearly evident.
Gone were the lowered heads and shy looks of the Blair siblings prior to their move to Downing Street, replaced by confident waves and broad smiles. With BBC exit polls giving their father, Labour leader Tony Blair, a clear majority over the Conservatives, led by William Hague, their continued residence at Number 11 – which they took over after the traditional prime minister’s residence at Number 10 proved too small for the family – was assured.
And how they have grown. At 5ft 9in, oldest son Euan, 17, is fast catching up with his 6ft-tall dad. Meanwhile, despite being two years younger, brother Nicky has sprouted up, gaining at least a couple of inches on Euan. At 13, their sister Kathryn has blossomed, and was almost unrecognisable from the pinafore-clad youngster snapped four years ago. “They’re growing up, aren’t they? They’re getting bigger,” said Mr Blair as he chatted with local residents. Youngest member of the family, one-year-old Leo, snoozed away dad’s big day at home.
As they walked from the prime minister’s constituency home in Sedgefield, County Durham, to the polling station at Trimdon Colliery Community Centre, Cherie, too, seemed more relaxed and at home with her role as the premier’s wife. Although both she and the opposition leader’s wife, Ffion Hague, kept low profiles throughout the campaign period, barrister Cherie’s few pronouncements have been fun-filled, not to say racy – inviting her husband to join her in an aeroplane loo to earn a place in the mile-high club and autographing a man’s chest.
Tony Blair was showing the effects of four years at the head of the country. The lucky red tie remained the same, but there were fewer hairs on the PM’s head and more pounds on his boyish frame.
Meanwhile, the PM now faces a major challenge to deliver on the pledges his government failed to meet during its first term in office – particularly the crisis in the national health system and the dire state of the country’s transport networks. In a massive reshuffle of the cabinet, John Prescott will exchange the role of Environment Secretary, for that of Deputy Prime Minister, freeing the premier up to concentrate on public services.
It remains to be seen who will lead the opposition, as William Hague announced that he was stepping down as leader of the Conservative party after their crushing defeat at the polls.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
