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Athena Stavrou, Political Reporter
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Athena Stavrou, Political Reporter
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Blair intervenes in Labour civil war
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Three weeks to go until the Makerfield by-election and a (very splintered) Labour has received yet another blow.
Tony Blair has become the latest party heavyweight to intervene in Labour's civil war, as he launched a scathing attack in the form of a 5,600 word essay.
The former prime minister said the party lacked a plan for the future and urged it not to move further to the left, saying it should instead occupy the “radical centre”.
But he warned trying to force Sir Keir Starmer out of No 10 without a clear policy direction “is not a serious way of conducting ourselves”.
But the essay was not loved by all, with potential leader-to-be Andy Burnham hitting out at Sir Tony over the remarks.
In a criticism of Blair, Mr Burnham noted he did not “mention inequality once”, suggested the former PM is "out of touch", and claimed he was partly to blame for the rise of politicians like Nigel Farage.
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The intellectual wasteland of the Corbyn years means this Labour government is now in power without a coherent plan or vision with which to face the immense challenges of the 21st century – and that is why we need urgent change, says Tony Blair, in this 5719-word essay (20-minute read)
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We wouldn’t allow cigarette companies to walk into schools and hand out packets to children. Yet we are allowing tech companies to pump harmful content directly into young people’s developing brains, 24 hours a day, says Esther Ghey
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What else you need to know |
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Peter Mandelson failed security vetting for the US ambassador job because of his links to China, Russia and Israel, sources have confirmed.
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Twenty-seven MPs have called for the equalities watchdog to investigate alleged Islamophobia in Reform UK.
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Resident doctors will strike for four days in June as part of their long-running dispute with the government over pay, the British Medical Association has confirmed.
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Reform UK’s candidate for the upcoming Makerfield by-election said that Russia was “within their rights” to invade Crimea, comparing it with the UK’s sovereignty claim over the Falkland Islands.
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Tony Blair’s ‘whirlwind of change’ essay demands a return to his winning way |
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John Rentoul, Chief Political Commentator
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John Rentoul, Chief Political Commentator
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He knows how to attract attention. And I suspect most senior people in Labour and millions of potential Labour voters agree with Tony Blair’s essay, which we reprint in full.
I doubt, however, that Keir Starmer or any of the contenders for his job will act on it. Which makes me wonder how Blair thinks his plan for a high-tech powerhouse will happen.
Perhaps part of him imagines that he can come back to No 10 at the age of 73. After all, Winston Churchill was 76 when he returned to office in 1951.
My commentary on Blair’s essay is here.
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Blair: Labour is playing with fire over UK’s future – and is too weak to rejoin EU |
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Blair is more sensible than Starmer's government. He's right that the legislation they have passed has done more to create headwinds for the economy than to offer any hope, and that without even mentioning the increase to NICs making it more expensive to hire.
I don't agree with him on much usually, but a lot of what he seems to have suggested is much needed. Welfare spending is far too high, and costs on businesses (particularly small ones) crush enterprise. You can't tax your way to growth, but the suite of legislation we have on the books now means you can't grow your way to growth either.
YawningAngel
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There is a lot I can agree with Tony Blair in this article.
He hits the nail on the head with what he says about headwinds created by Labour’s foolishly soft left policies on workers’ rights laws, net-zero, oil and gas industry, minimum wage, non-dom changes.
Krispad
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Burnham or Brexit 2.0: Inside the leadership contest latest |
Helen MacNamara and Cleo Watson discuss the two frontrunners for Westminster’s most coveted job, how Wes might have messed up his chances already, and whether Burnham can bring some of his Manchester magic down south.
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Burnham or Brexit 2.0: Inside the leadership contest latest |
Helen MacNamara and Cleo Watson discuss the two frontrunners for Westminster’s most coveted job, how Wes might have messed up his chances already, and whether Burnham can bring some of his Manchester magic down south. |
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