Tony Blair has launched a blistering attack on Sir Keir Starmer, accusing the Labour leader of having no 'coherent plan' to present to voters. In a 5,700-word essay, the former prime minister claimed the party has an 'almost infinite capacity for self delusion' and is in the 'wrong political position' to win a second term.
Blair called for radical policy shifts, including scrapping net zero targets and reassessing the pensions triple lock. He also criticised Starmer's handling of Donald Trump, urging a more immediate response to the US request to use British bases.
The intervention has sparked fierce backlash from Labour figures. Treasury minister Dan Tomlinson accused Blair of peddling '30-year-old ideas', while former shadow chancellor John McDonnell said Blair was 'out of touch' with party members. Backbencher Ian Byrne posted on X: 'It’s his brand of politics that’s led us to an utterly broken country.'
The essay comes as Labour fights a tricky by-election in Makerfield, with Andy Burnham aiming to return to Westminster. Blair urged Labour MPs to 'force people to say where they stand' before picking a new leader.
