Sir Tony Blair is reportedly preparing a significant intervention in British politics, with his think tank developing a comprehensive policy plan intended to 'save the Labour party'. This move comes amid growing frustration with the direction of Sir Keir Starmer's government.
Blair's growing discontent with Starmer's leadership
Sources indicate that the former Prime Minister has all but 'given up' on attempting to influence Starmer directly in recent months. The relationship is said to have been strained by policy disagreements, with November's Budget reportedly killing any notion that this is a Blairite or New Labour-style administration.
Sir Tony is now said to be 'looking closely' at potential leadership candidates within the party. He is working with other figures from the centre-left to craft detailed policy proposals for healthcare, welfare, and technology through his Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI). These plans would be ready to present to a future leader should a contest emerge.
Key figures and policy clashes
The former Labour leader is scheduled to speak alongside Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood at an event on Wednesday. Ms Mahmood is widely tipped as a potential contender if a challenge to Sir Keir materialises, with her hard-line stance on immigration reportedly appealing to the party's right wing.
Significant policy differences have surfaced publicly. In May, Sir Tony criticised the climate change debate as 'irrational' and 'riven with hysteria' in a TBI report, arguing against short-term fossil fuel phase-outs. Downing Street defended its 'pragmatic approach', while Sir Keir sought to downplay the rift, insisting their positions on carbon capture were 'aligned'.
The path forward for Labour
While sources told The Times there 'isn't an overall plan to radically reform the state', Sir Tony's actions signal a concerted effort to reshape the party's trajectory from the outside. The development of a rival policy platform through his influential institute marks a notable challenge to the current leadership's authority and strategic direction.
This brewing internal conflict highlights the ongoing ideological tensions within the Labour Party, as figures from its New Labour past seek to reassert influence over its future, setting the stage for potential upheaval in the months to come.
