STORY
Sir Tony Blair has warned Labour that it would be “playing with fire” if it moved to replace Sir Keir Starmer without first agreeing a clear political and policy direction. In a major intervention during Labour’s leadership crisis, the former Prime Minister said the party needed a “fundamental reset” and argued that the Government lacked a coherent plan for office. His comments come as speculation continues around the future of Starmer and the ambitions of figures including Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting.
Blair said Labour’s 2024 general election victory had been secured because the party was seen as an “acceptable alternative” to the Conservatives, rather than because voters had enthusiastically endorsed its programme. He argued that the Government needed to focus more strongly on economic growth, artificial intelligence, welfare reform, planning reform and working with the private sector. He also criticised parts of Labour’s existing agenda, including elements of its approach to net zero, workers’ rights and taxation, warning that Britain risked losing influence unless ministers adopted a more radical but practical programme.
The intervention is likely to intensify debate inside Labour over whether the party’s difficulties are rooted in leadership, policy or presentation. Blair, who led Labour to three successive general election victories, cautioned against reducing the argument to a contest between personalities and said the party needed to decide what it stood for in Government. Treasury minister Dan Tomlinson rejected the idea that Labour was trapped in an old New Labour versus Old Labour debate, while critics of Blair’s remarks argued that his prescriptions reflected an outdated political settlement. Downing Street declined to respond directly to the former Prime Minister’s comments.