Tony Blair's father - an interesting journey

Tony Blair’s father Leo, who died today, was a man with a remarkable life story.

• He was given up for fostering by his parents – who were travelling performers - aged three months.
• He left school at 14 and joined the Young Communist League.
• He served in the Army in the Second World War.

• After the war he studied law in his spare time to become a barrister and later a law lecturer in Australia and at Durham University.
• He rose to chair the Durham Conservative Association and had aspirations to become a Tory MP.

• After his son became Labour leader, he joined the party shortly after.
• He sent a letter of congratulations to him on becoming PM - only to get a reply from Downing Street saying his idea was not something that No 10 could take up.