Blair family photograph assures electorate: ‘I’m just like you’

BEAMING proudly on the steps of Number 10 for a third — and final — time the Blairs yesterday offered a rare glimpse of a family that has grown up largely away from the public eye.

Hours after an historic but draining night, British Prime Minister Tony Blair glowed with joy as he posed in Downing Street surrounded by wife Cherie, their three sons and daughter.

Mr Blair hoisted four-year-old Leo into the air as the family celebrated the party's success in securing Labour's historic third term in government.

Dressed in a white shirt, cropped trousers and fashionable brown sandals, the youngest Blair the first child born to a serving British prime minister in 150 years offered an impish grin to photographers as his mother led him on to the Downing Street pavement.

Psychologists claim those images could also help Mr Blair restore his fractured relationship with the electorate.

Dr Lovemore Nyatanga, a leading social psychologist, said: "People have a very emotional response to pictures of young children. Images like this send out signals that Mr Blair is sensitive and understanding, there will be very positive responses amongst the general public. It is an image that says to people I'm just like you and I'm ready to tackle problems together with you."

Older sons Euan, 21, and Nicky, 19, flanked their mother in smart, sober suits.

After troubled teenage years, which saw Euan arrested for being drunk and incapable in Leicester Square, the Blair's eldest son appeared a model of respectability and had earlier shown his maturity as he appeared alongside his father during election campaigning.

Daughter Kathryn Blair, 17, who stood at the Prime Minster's shoulder, waved confidently to the crowd.

Yesterday was the first time since the last general election that the whole family had posed together in public for photographs.

The Blairs' reluctance to be snapped as a family illustrates the lengths to which the Blairs have gone to protect their offspring.