Sir Tony Blair is reportedly preparing a significant intervention in Labour's direction, with his think tank assembling a comprehensive policy plan aimed at “saving” the party amid growing frustration with Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership. According to sources cited by The Times, the former prime minister has become disillusioned with the current government’s trajectory, particularly after November’s Budget, which sources claimed had “killed any idea this is a Blairite or New Labour-like government”.
Through the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI), Sir Tony is said to be working with centre-left figures to draft policies covering healthcare, welfare, and technology. These proposals would be ready to present to a future leader should a leadership contest emerge. The move comes as Sir Tony is also reportedly reviewing potential candidates for a future leadership campaign, though sources stressed there “isn’t an overall plan to radically reform the state”.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, seen as a possible contender if a challenge to Sir Keir arises, is set to speak alongside Sir Tony at an event on Wednesday. Those on the right of the party are said to favour her hard-line immigration policies. The report indicates that while Sir Tony is assessing potential future prime ministers, he has largely “given up” on trying to influence Sir Keir directly in recent months.
The former prime minister and Sir Keir have previously clashed on issues such as climate change. In May, Sir Tony argued the climate debate had become “irrational”, stating in a TBI report that “any strategy based on either ‘phasing out’ fossil fuels in the short term or limiting consumption is a strategy doomed to fail”. Downing Street responded that the UK was taking a “pragmatic approach” and that Sir Tony’s suggestions were “aligned” with the government’s overall mission. Sir Keir sought to downplay the disagreement, asserting that Sir Tony’s remarks on carbon capture were “absolutely aligned” with Labour’s policies.
