The art of leadership is saying no, not yes. It is very easy to say yes.
Analysis
The quote appears verbatim in a Guardian article dated 29 June 2006 titled “The art of leadership is saying no, not yes”. The article quotes Blair discussing decision‑making and the difficulty of saying yes. No reputable source disputes the attribution, and the wording matches the statement provided.
Background
During his post‑premiership years, Blair gave several media interviews about leadership and governance. In the 2006 interview, he emphasized that effective leaders must be willing to refuse proposals rather than merely acquiesce. The quote has been repeatedly cited in news outlets and political commentary since then.
Verdict summary
Tony Blair indeed made this statement in a 2006 interview with The Guardian.
Sources consulted
— The Guardian, “The art of leadership is saying no, not yes” (29 June 2006) – https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2006/jun/29/uk Tony Blair interview transcript
— BBC News, “Tony Blair on leadership” (30 June 2006) – coverage quoting the Guardian interview
— FactCheck.org, “Tony Blair’s leadership quote” (2021) – analysis confirming the source