While many object to knighting Tony Blair on moral grounds, citing his role in the Iraq War and the tragedy he therefore inflicted on their lives, rewarding Blair is a bad call even from a realist perspective.
It is harmful to the British state's authority and credibility that it failed to put Blair on trial. It is potentially disastrous that the Queen is perceived to endorse him by knighting him.
Sooner or later, a state that ignored and handwaved away the people's feelings can face a lot of distrust, and this is a mistake of governance more than a failure of morals. Even the most corrupt and vile person in the highest places of the state, if they had sense, would exorcise Blair and sacrifice him to regain the trust of the many millions of citizens who remember how he lied to justify the Iraq War.
With an award, Blair undermines the country's image at home and abroad and contributes to the perception of state deception and cynicism. Here is a person who lied the country into a war and suppressed information that disputed the legality of his actions.
Remembering the lies
Tony Blair and his defenders pass the events of the Iraq War off as mistakes by a sincere man, but this is refuted by those who knew Blair was lying at the time and took significant action of their own to protest his disinformation. These included the largest street protest in British history and one cabinet resignation.
Blair's participation in a crime is better documented than the actions of other criminals who are now behind bars. There will be a perception that his role within the state makes him immune from justice and even still eligible for awards, and that is just why so many people distrust the state itself.
This is a man who knowingly imperilled British troops and Iraqi civilians and unleashed a disaster in the Middle East, for reasons that were insufficient and he knew they were. He is responsible equally for the failed war effort in Afghanistan and for a lot of terrorism in the world, much of it motivated by a sense of injustice because this one person's wrongful actions were unpunished. A lot of people would still be alive today and the world would be a much better place, were it not for him. The place of Britain in the world would be better. Life would be easier for everyone in the British government itself, from lowest worker to the highest holder of political office, who would no longer be faced with citizens who obstinately disbelieve everything they say.
If punished appropriately, Blair would do a huge service to the country and empower the state's authority. The action would send a message to the world that the country in fact stands for a set of rules, and that not even those who reached the top of the state are immune from justice. That commitment to always follow the law, no matter where it leads, is what Britain is meant to represent.
Not so noble
The revealing of crooks and paedophiles such as Jimmy Savile and Prince Andrew, in high and esteemed places in British life, is a perception damaging to the state, and the damage must be repaired. The names of these televised deceivers, Savile and Blair, belong on the same page, no matter how liked they once were by many.
The population is becoming suspicious that something is wrong with those who supposedly represent our best. Whatever it is, it is disproportionately found among them in comparison with the normal population.
We don't hear that our colleagues are paedophiles and crooks, but we hear a great deal about this problem arising among the supposedly noble and honourable sirs who possess esteemed titles. Maybe it is true that power attracts the psychopathic.
Why can't we just let him go?
Finally, if Britain doesn't tidy up the problem of apparently self-serving incestuous power that allows the state figures to tell lies without punishment, political attitudes among the public will include rejecting everything the state says as a lie even when it is true. With many rejecting government pleas to vaccinate, and the earlier crazy attacks on 5G infrastructure and workers, we may already be nearing that stage of absolute distrust in all institutions and authority.
One unpunished (even rewarded!) lying politician is the biggest reason many will cite for their distrust. The state risks losing credibility with millions of people because of Blair, or properly rejecting this goblin.
My Dissident Voice article continuing this topic: The State’s Celebration of Lies and Punishment of Truth | Dissident Voice