Overview: Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Tony Blair discusses the rise of populism around the globe, Brexit, and why he is advocating a return to centrist politics this week on Firing Line. Tony Blair is a British politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1997 to 2007 and Leader of the Labour Party from 1994 to 2007. He was Leader of the Opposition from 1994 to 1997. As of 2017, Blair is the last UK Labour Party leader to have won a general election.