Taliban
American and British forces begin an aerial bombing campaign targeting Taliban forces and al-Qaeda, strikes were reported in the capital, Kabul
Role range: 2002-2003 – 1997-2007
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Anthony Charles Lynton Blair Biography and Timeline — Page 5
Follow Anthony Charles Lynton Blair through 292 dated historical records for Great Britain.
Anthony Charles Lynton Blair, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
292Distinct records
5 of 8Page
2001–2003Years on this page
2001
Election
The Labour Party win 42.0% of votes cast & 413 MPs
Role range: 1997-2007 – 1997-2007
Prime Minister of Great Britain
Appointed Prime Minister of Great Britain, 2nd term
Role range: 1997-2007 – 1997-2007
Visit to To Iran by a British Foreign Minister
Jack Straw makes the 1st visit to Iran by a British Foreign Minister since 1979
Role range: 1997-2007 – 1997-2007
Member of Parliament
Elected Member of Parliament for Sedgefield, majority of 17,713
Role range: 1997-2007
2002
Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)
Blair announces he will publish a dossier on Iraq's weapons of mass destruction
Role range: 1997-2007 – 1997-2007
WPSU
Britain publishes dossier on Iraq that says Saddam could launch weapons of mass destruction in 45 minutes, Dossier is criticized for overplaying certainty of intelligence. A 50 page dossier claims Iraq can deploy chemical & biological weopons within 45 mins
Role range: 1997-2007 – 1997-2007
Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)
Britain publishes dossier on Iraq that says Saddam could launch weapons of mass destruction in 45 minutes, Dossier is criticized for overplaying certainty of intelligence
Role range: 1997-2007 – 1997-2007
Invasion of Iraq
Both the US ambassador to the UN, John Negroponte, and the UK ambassador, Jeremy Greenstock, publicly confirmed the reading of the resolution, assuring that Resolution 1441 provided no "automaticity" or "hidden triggers" for an invasion.
Role range: 2003-2003 – 1997-2007
Invasion of Iraq
UN Resolution 1441 gives Iraq "a final opportunity to comply with its disarmament obligations" and set up inspections by the United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Role range: 2003-2003 – 1997-2007
UN Resolution 1441
UN Resolution 1441 gives Iraq "a final opportunity to comply with its disarmament obligations" and set up inspections by the United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
Role range: 2003-2003 – 1997-2007
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
UN Resolution 1441 gives Iraq "a final opportunity to comply with its disarmament obligations" and set up inspections by the United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
Role range: 1997-2007
Invasion of Iraq
Both the US ambassador to the UN, John Negroponte, and the UK ambassador, Jeremy Greenstock, publicly confirmed the reading of the resolution, assuring that Resolution 1441 provided no "automaticity" or "hidden triggers" for an invasion.
Role range: 1997-2007
Invasion of Iraq
UN Resolution 1441 gives Iraq "a final opportunity to comply with its disarmament obligations" and set up inspections by the United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Role range: 1997-2007
UN Resolution 1441
UN Resolution 1441 gives Iraq "a final opportunity to comply with its disarmament obligations" and set up inspections by the United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
Role range: 1997-2007
Constitution of Great Britain
Northern Ireland returns to direct rule from London after the suspension of the local assembly following allegations of Irish Republican Army spying
Role range: 1997-2007 – 1997-2007
Reform of Government
Network Rail, a non profit company, replaces Railtrack
Role range: 1997-2007 – 1997-2007
Rule of Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland returns to direct rule from London after the suspension of the local assembly following allegations of Irish Republican Army spying
Role range: 1997-2007 – 1997-2007
Scandal
Peter Foster, a convicted fraudster, helps the Blairs buy a flat ib Bristol
Role range: 1997-2007 – 1997-2007
Franchise
The Strategic Rail Authority abolishes long term franchises
Role range: 1997-2007 – 1997-2007
Reform of Electoral System
Network Rail, a non profit company, replaces Railtrack. The Strategic Rail Authority halves the number of train companies. The Strategic Rail Authority abolishes long term franchises
Role range: 1997-2007 – 1997-2007
2003
Economy of Great Britain
The Bank of England cuts interest rates to 3.75%, lowest for 50 yrs
Role range: 1997-2007 – 1997-2007
Interest Rates
The Bank of England cuts interest rates to 3.75%, lowest for 50 yrs
Role range: 1997-2007 – 1997-2007
Demonstrations
At least 1 million demonstrate against the war in Iraq
Role range: 2003-2003 – 1997-2007
Demonstrations
Nationwide demonstrations against war in Iraq
Role range: 1997-2007 – 1997-2007
Economy of Great Britain
The FTSE-100 slumps to an 8 yr low
Role range: 1997-2007 – 1997-2007
Resignation of Robin Finlayson Cook
Robin Cook resigns over the Governments policy on war in Iraq
Role range: 1997-2007 – 1997-2007
Invasion of Iraq
Unlike the first Gulf War or the war in Afghanistan (2001), this war had no explicit United Nations authorisation
Role range: 2003-2003 – 1997-2007
Resignation of Robin Finlayson Cook
Robin Cook resigns over the Governments policy on war in Iraq
Role range: 2003-2003 – 1997-2007
Bombing of Iraq
The bombing of Iraq by the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Poland, Australia, and Denmark begins
Role range: 2003-2003 – 1997-2007
Declaration of War
Blair wins Parliamentary vote over Iraq war but 139 party members defy him
Role range: 2003-2003 – 1997-2007
Invasion of Iraq
Three Government ministers resigned in protest at the war, John Denham, Lord Hunt of King's Heath, and the then Leader of the House of Commons Robin Cook. The UK Parliament held a debate on going to war on March 18, 2003 where the Government motion was approved 412 to 149
Role range: 2003-2003 – 1997-2007
Resignation of Robin Finlayson Cook
Foreign minister Robin Cook resigns
Role range: 2003-2003 – 1997-2007
Vote of Confidence
139 Laboor MPs vote against the war, but the Commons votes 412 to 149 in favour
Role range: 2003-2003 – 1997-2007
Iraq War Vote
Wins Commons backing for military action in Iraq.
Role range: 2003-2011 – 1997-2007
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Start of the conflict known as the Iraq War or Operation Iraqi Freedom in which a combined force of troops from the United States, alongside the United Kingdom, and smaller contingents from Australia and Poland
Role range: 2003-2003 – 1997-2007
Invasion of Iraq
According to Blair, the trigger was Iraq's failure to take a "final opportunity" to disarm itself of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons that US and British officials called an immediate and intolerable threat to world peace
Role range: 2003-2003 – 1997-2007
Invasion of Iraq
Start of the conflict known as the Iraq War or Operation Iraqi Freedom in which a combined force of troops from the United States, alongside the United Kingdom, and smaller contingents from Australia and Poland.
Role range: 2003-2003 – 1997-2007
Invasion of Iraq
The reasons for the invasion were "to disarm Iraq of weapons of mass destruction, to end Saddam Hussein's alleged support for terrorism, and to free the Iraqi people".
Role range: 2003-2003 – 1997-2007
Battle of Umm Qasr
The Battle of Umm Qasr is the first military confrontation in the Iraq War, with its objective the capture of the port. Allied forces advanced across Southern Iraq and after an amphibious landing forces captured the new port area of Umm Qasr then spend several more days fighting through the old town of Umm Qasr encountering fierce resistance
Role range: 2003-2003 – 1997-2007
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.