This paper explores the psychology — and the appeal — of “middle way” or “third way” political leaders, with a particular focus on former British Labor prime minister Tony Blair. Reviewing two works by British psychoanalyst and Labor member of parliament (MP), Leo Abse, and Australian management theorist, Alistair Mant, the paper examines the middle way idea and its psychological meaning with particular reference to Blair and others including US president Bill Clinton and Australian Labor prime minister Bob Hawke. The paper, written in 1999, locates the middle way idea in relation to issues of aggression, denial of differences, idealization and parental identifications.