Blair told campaigners that British Prime Minister David Cameron's plan to hold a European Union membership referendum, if he is re-elected next month, would destabilise the British economy. However, his intervention has proved controversial, since Miliband was keen to distance himself from Blair's 'New Labour' philosophy and what is seen as a tainted brand.
Labour leader Blair, who served as prime minister from 1997-2007, took Britain to war in Iraq in 2003, despite one of the biggest uprisings against the war in decades. He is accused of making agreements with (then) US President George W. Bush in which Blair gave assurances of joining the invasion without the full consent of parliament.
Despite mass public protests against the war, Blair — who had been having many meetings and phone calls with Bush — convinced parliament that Saddam Hussein really was a threat and that Britain had to join the US.
“I want Labour, under @Ed_Miliband’s leadership, to be the Government of our country on May 8th. I believe we can and will do it” Tony Blair
— Tony Blair Office (@tonyblairoffice) April 7, 2015
On March 20, 2003, US and UK forces began the invasion that led to the eventual downfall of Saddam Hussein and his regime. Politicians from all sides of parliament in the UK called for an inquiry into what deals Tony Blair had made with then US President George W. Bush.
Finally, after years of pressure to uncover the deals made between Bush and Blair, the — then — British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, caved in to public pressure and called for an inquiry which was launched in July 2009 chaired by Sir John Chilcot. So far, the $11 million (£7.4 million) inquiry has yet to report. There is growing resentment at the delay in publishing the report — although Blair himself has said he has done nothing to hinder its publication.
“Lab and @Ed_Miliband understand our future and its destiny better than those prepared to trade policy for political advantage.” Tony Blair
— Tony Blair Office (@tonyblairoffice) April 7, 2015
Since the Iraq War, Blair has been the subject of accusations of war crimes. Bishop Desmond Tutu and playwright Harold Pinter are among many who have called for Blair to stand trial at the International Criminal Court.
Middle East Madness
After leaving 10 Downing Street, Blair was appointed Middle East envoy as representative of the quartet, consisting of Russia, the United States of America, the United Nations and the European Union.
Senior diplomats told the Financial Times Blair was being eased out of the role because he had been "ineffective in this job."
"He [Tony Blair] has no credibility in this part of the world."
Critics have attacked the lack of progress achieved in the region and last year three former British ambassadors backed a campaign calling for him to be sacked and accused him of trying to ''absolve himself'' of responsibility for the crisis in Iraq.
Blair has also come under fire for signing up to advise the Serbian prime minister, Aleksandar Vucic, in a deal that is allegedly funded by the United Arab Emirates — a deal seen as conflicting with his Middle East role.
He has already faced criticism after The Guardian reported in July 2014 that Blair had agreed to advise the Egyptian president, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who came to power in a military coup in 2013 year, as part of a programme funded by the United Arab Emirates that has promised to deliver huge "business opportunities" to those involved.
