Tony Blair on the trauma which underpinned his rise to political power

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Watch the Blair interview in full on Independent TV The former Labour leader declares as his new book, On Leadership, is published: “The moment I saw what power was and what it could do, I wanted it.” As well as providing a masterclass in how to wield power, it also reveals his personal faults and successes during his decade in No 10 as well as the next 17 years forming the Tony Blair Institute, which today has 1,000 staff and advises governments of more than 40 countries. “When I asked him what to say, even after he had given me some notes he bluntly said, just tell them you’re sick, you’re not fit for prime time on this subject!” Sir Tony wryly adds: “But I did address them, unfortunately.” His struggles on that technical topic reflect his view that there are two different types of brains – artistic and scientific. I think it’s really important – the first duty of government is to keep people safe.” The constant for Sir Tony throughout his adult life has been his marriage to Cherie. I don’t think you should ever go into politics unless they want to change things.” Today, Sir Tony has democracies and dictators as clients.