30 July 1997: Tony Blair throws his Cool Britannia party

Tony Blair, fresh from his election victory, decided to showcase the best of Britain and New Labour by throwing his Cool Britannia party on this day in 1997.

Noel Gallagher and Meg Matthews © John Ferguson/Ian Vogler/Mirrorpix/Getty Images
Noel Gallagher and girlfriend Meg Matthews arrive for Tony Blair's bash
(Image credit: © John Ferguson/Ian Vogler/Mirrorpix/Getty Images)

It was the 1990s. Thatcherism had won in the end, and the Labour policies of the 1970s and 80s were old hat. The economy was up, John Major was out, and politics was groovy again.

Subscribe to MoneyWeek

Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE

Get 6 issues free
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/mw70aro6gl1676370748.jpg

Sign up to Money Morning

Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter

Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter

Sign up
Chris Carter
Wealth Editor, MoneyWeek

Chris Carter spent three glorious years reading English literature on the beautiful Welsh coast at Aberystwyth University. Graduating in 2005, he left for the University of York to specialise in Renaissance literature for his MA, before returning to his native Twickenham, in southwest London. He joined a Richmond-based recruitment company, where he worked with several clients, including the Queen’s bank, Coutts, as well as the super luxury, Dorchester-owned Coworth Park country house hotel, near Ascot in Berkshire.

Then, in 2011, Chris joined MoneyWeek. Initially working as part of the website production team, Chris soon rose to the lofty heights of wealth editor, overseeing MoneyWeek’s Spending It lifestyle section. Chris travels the globe in pursuit of his work, soaking up the local culture and sampling the very finest in cuisine, hotels and resorts for the magazine’s discerning readership. He also enjoys writing his fortnightly page on collectables, delving into the fascinating world of auctions and art, classic cars, coins, watches, wine and whisky investing.

You can follow Chris on Instagram.