Tony Blair on Keir Starmer

Tony Blair is reportedly expressing frustration regarding the trajectory of Keir Starmer's government, with his think tank preparing comprehensive policy plans for a potential future Labour leader. Reports indicated that figures within the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI) were compiling policy frameworks across areas like healthcare and welfare, in case a leadership contest emerged. This apparent dissatisfaction stems from a view that November's Budget "killed any idea this is a Blairite or New Labour-like government," suggesting Blair had largely given up on trying to steer the current leadership directly. The former Prime Minister has also publicly voiced critical views on the current administration's approach to climate change, arguing the debate had become "irrational" and that strategies based on short-term fossil fuel phase-outs were doomed to fail.

Despite this reported dissatisfaction and policy preparation, the relationship is not entirely adversarial, as the current Prime Minister has publicly acknowledged his predecessor, suggesting that Blair "deserves the honour" of a knighthood. Furthermore, when addressing policy differences, the Prime Minister has sometimes sought to frame them as aligned, such as stating that his government’s investment in carbon capture reflected Blair's suggestions. However, the reported move by Blair's team to create a parallel policy roadmap for a future leader suggests a significant, if perhaps privately held, divergence in strategic vision from the current government's direction.