The Conversation (0)
Politics
Elaine McCallig
Jan 04, 2022
Hundreds of thousands have called for former prime minister Tony Blair to be stripped of his knighthood.
The accolade was given to the former Labour leader in the New Year Honours List.
Blair - whose title is now formally Sir Tony - was made a Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter. He welcomed the appointment on Twitter, calling it an “immense honour”.
Tony Blair: It is an immense honour to be appointed Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, and I a… https://t.co/324XKyBEAE— Tony Blair Institute (@Tony Blair Institute) 1640990243
However opinion is split over whether or not the former prime minister, who was in power from 1997 to 2007, deserves the prestigious title.
A petition calling for the politician’s knighthood to be stripped has got over 600,000 signatures at the time of writing.
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Started by Angus Scott, the petition reads: “Tony Blair caused irreparable damage to both the constitution of the United Kingdom and to the very fabric of the nation’s society. He was personally responsible for causing the death of countless innocent, civilian lives and servicement in various conflicts. For this alone he should be held accountable for war crimes. [sic]
“Tony Blair is the least deserving person of any public honour, particularly anything awarded by Her Majesty the Queen.”
The petition’s statement concluded with a plea to Boris Johnson to petition the Queen to have Blair’s honour removed.
Similar sentiment spilled out on social media, with one Twitter user calling him “repugnant”:
I think HM The Queen has made a big mistake in knighting Tony Blair. The nation can’t stand the sight of him, he is… https://t.co/dVKcBh5lD0— BritishPatriot (@BritishPatriot) 1641220673
If you needed an advert to end the honours system it was tonight 👇👇 SIR TONY BLAIR What a joke. 🤔🤔🤔🤔 https://t.co/jf4RPdRq3a— Jamie Jenkins (@Jamie Jenkins) 1640989986
The good thing about Tony Blair is his ability to bring people together. Everyone hates him 🤣— Cornwall7000 ⛵️🐕 (@Cornwall7000 ⛵️🐕) 1641239509
The idea that Tony Blair should receive the HIGHEST order of chivalry possible has rightly angered a nation. Out of… https://t.co/P3ltfo1QId— Darren Grimes (@Darren Grimes) 1641288346
Tony Blair knighted...... I'm not sure this country can sink any lower.— Wexford Iceberg (@Wexford Iceberg) 1641030819
A reminder: https://t.co/TARlgFhpJr— Mehdi Hasan (@Mehdi Hasan) 1641002979
Tony Blair getting a Knighthood is sickening. Who Agrees? 🤔— David Poulden Esq®️ (@David Poulden Esq®️) 1640996024
Not a recent video, but @JeffStelling absolutely nails it here . Bravo 👏🏽 F****** Tony Blair 🤢https://t.co/jtBUQoelKl— Adam Brooks (@Adam Brooks) 1641148120
Tony Blair is to be knighted with the highest possible ranking in the new year honours list, Buckingham Palace has… https://t.co/QAryywaGWi— talkRADIO (@talkRADIO) 1640992496
However not everyone agrees.
Labour leader Keir Starmer toldGood Morning Britain that Sir Tony “deserves the honour”.
He added: “I haven’t got time to list this morning all his many achievements, which I think vastly improved our country.”
Over 500,000 people have signed a petition to strip former Prime Minister Tony Blair of his knighthood. Labour Lea… https://t.co/DhpFpK90UC— Good Morning Britain (@Good Morning Britain) 1641282364
@InstituteGC Many congratulations!— Anna Turley 🌹💙 (@Anna Turley 🌹💙) 1640990537
Congratulations to Sir Tony Blair, but I know he’ll be even more proud that @ValerieAmos, a personal hero of mine a… https://t.co/3LjpJIXviE— Wes Streeting MP (@Wes Streeting MP) 1640991015
Huge congratulations to Sir Tony Blair. Absolutely delighted, 3 times election winner, changed Britain for the bett… https://t.co/IDNkeHkA2k— Martin Angus (@Martin Angus) 1640989889
Indy100 has contacted the Tony Blair Institute for comment.