The former Labour leader referred to in the crossword solution is Tony BLAIR, who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1997 to 2007. He was the leader of the Labour Party from 1994 to 2007 and is widely credited with leading the party to a landslide victory in the 1997 general election. During his tenure, he implemented a series of reforms, including the introduction of the National Minimum Wage and the Human Rights Act. He also oversaw the devolution of power to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.