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07 April 2025

Sir Tony Blair speaks to King's postgraduate students

Students on the MA Government Studies course heard from former Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair during their final class.

Tony Blair and the  MA Government Studies cohort

Sir Tony visited King’s on 3 April to take a range of questions from students studying MA Government Studies modules ‘Prime Ministers & No.10 Downing Street’ and ‘The New Labour Years’. Subjects ranged from his relationship with former Chancellor and Prime Minister Gordon Brown, foreign policy interventions in Kosovo, Iraq and Sierra Leone and domestic issues such as the Northern Ireland Peace Process and delivery of public services. 

As a student from the US, the MA Government Studies programme has exceeded all my expectations. To meet people who are or have been inside the room when the crucial decisions have been made has been an amazing experience. It was brilliant to meet Sir Tony and ask him questions related to my essays.

Student Dane MacAfee
Tony Blair speaking

After an introduction from Senior Vice President (Academic) Professor Rachel Mills, Sir Tony shared his breadth of experience and discussed how government needs to respond to modern-day challenges such as tariffs and global instability.

The MA in Government Studies explores how the British state truly operates, using the historical method and taught with and by those with direct experience of governing. Students use real-life case studies and hear from the people who work within government. Modules are delivered in partnership with organisations like No. 10 Downing Street and HM Treasury.

‘It’s a huge honour for our students to have Sir Tony for their final classes. We’ve created a programme where students not only learn how government works from top academics, they also meet and talk to practitioners who are or have been at the very highest levels.

Professor of Government Education Jon Davis OBE

Applications for next years are open here: MA Government Studies