Former Prime Minister Tony Blair has released a 5,700-word essay critiquing the Labour Party, Keir Starmer, and UK policy, but the intervention has been met with annoyance from within the party. Blair, who led Labour for 13 years and won three general elections, argues that the party is failing to learn from its only period of successive electoral success. The essay, published by the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, offers faint praise for Starmer and Wes Streeting but largely criticises Labour’s direction.
Blair advises Starmer to abandon net zero projects, workers’ rights laws, and higher minimum wage commitments, instead focusing on supporting business. He also suggests the UK should have backed Donald Trump’s stance on Iran and views Trump as seeking a stronger NATO. These policy prescriptions are seen by many as politically unfeasible, potentially causing revolt among Labour MPs.
The timing of the essay, ahead of a byelection in Makerfield, has been criticised as unhelpful. Responses from Labour figures have been dismissive, with some calling Blair “less and less relevant.” Critics note that Blair’s recent engagements, such as attending the World Economic Forum and associating with Trump, distance him from ordinary voters.
Blair’s broader argument that the UK is stuck in insular political debate and failing to address challenges like AI is acknowledged by some in Labour. However, his specific policy suggestions are seen as impractical, and his call for a “radical centre” is viewed as vague. The essay reinforces the perception that Blair, who left frontline politics nearly 20 years ago, is out of touch with current political realities.
