Jon Davis

Dr Jon Davis will be speaking in the library during Tuesday lunchtime about Tony Blair and his Premiership, which he has researched extensively for his new book. Dr Davis teaches political history at Queen Mary University and previously wrote "Prime Ministers and Whitehall", and exploration of the relationship between Prime Ministers and the Civil Service. He has also worked closely with the influential political historian and writer, Peter Hennessy.

The Special Relationship

Another interesting Tony Blair drama on BBC2 on Saturday night (on iplayer) starring Michael Sheen, this time on the 'special relationship'. This is the name Britain tends to give to the relationship between the United States and Britain. From the US's point of view, this name is a little optimistic, considering Britain's competition - Mexico and Canada to name but a few. However, it is a subject that both historians and journalists find fascinating. It is a very interesting relationship; made only more so by the recent personal relationships between Blair and Clinton (the programme's subjects) and Blair and Bush. The programme is excellent to give you an overview of the issues that involved the US and the UK at the end of the 1990s, especially Kosovo. Peter Riddell, the Times journalist and author, has also written an excellent book which is very readable and informative on this topic.
What do you think the relationship is between Obama and Cameron? Is the relationship between the US and UK 'special'?

Blair at the Iraq Inquiry

Here is a link to live video feed from the BBC of Tony Blair at the Iraq enquiry. Here is regularly updated commentary from the Guardian.