Tony Blair is to tell Labour that it will be “replaced” as a serious political force if it attempts to “whitewash” its recent election defeat.
The former prime minister will say in a speech that the party faces electoral oblivion unless it changes course. He is also expected to unveil research suggesting Labour's problems go “far deeper” than its position on Brexit and the unpopularity of Jeremy Corbyn.
Blair will say: “Labour needs not just a different driver, but a different bus.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
“This election was no ordinary defeat for Labour. It marks a moment in history. The choice for Labour is to renew itself as the serious, progressive, non-Conservative competitor for power in British politics – or retreat from such an ambition, in which case over time it will be replaced.”
This is far from the first time that the former leader has criticised the current one. Last year, Blair spoke of his concerns that “moderates” may never be able to take back control of Labour, following the “profound change” in the party under Corbyn’s leadership.
Blair’s latest intervention comes after Corbyn faced the fury of some Labour MPs at a meeting of the parliamentary Labour party in Westminster.
The outgoing leader told the meeting: “I am very sorry for the result, for which I take responsibility. I will continue to lead the party until a new leader is elected. I want us to have the smoothest possible transition.”
However, this was not enough to calm the anger of some MPs during meeting, which was described as “fiery” by the Daily Mail. Newcastle North MP, Catherine McKinnell, read out the list of seats lost in the north-east and said they had not been given enough support.
Leeds West MP Rachel Reeves described Corbyn’s manifesto as “economically illiterate” and said the party needed radical change and a leader that “actually wants to win”.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
-
How China rewrote the history of its WWII victoryIn Depth Though the nationalist government led China to victory in 1945, this is largely overlooked in modern Chinese commemorations
-
September 3 editorial cartoonsCartoons Wednesday’s political cartoons include news from the war front in Ukraine, RFK Jr. riding the Grim Reaper, and a Donald Trump cabinet meeting
-
Why high-street coffee chains may have had their dayIn the Spotlight Rising costs of coffee, energy and payroll, plus growing appetite for luxury drinks like matcha, has caused boom in independent and speciality coffee shops
-
'Three Pads' Rayner: a housing hypocrite?Talking Point As real estate moguls go, the Deputy PM is 'hardly Donald Trump'
-
Who will win the battle for the soul of the Green Party?An ideological divide is taking root among the environmentalists
-
Are we facing a summer of riots?Today's Big Question Anti-immigrant unrest in Essex has sparked fears of a summer of disorder
-
Who stands to gain – and lose – from 16-year-old voters?Today's Big Question Many assume Labour will benefit but move could 'backfire' if Greens, a new hard-left party or Reform continue to pick up momentum
-
What difference will the 'historic' UK-Germany treaty make?Today's Big Question Europe's two biggest economies sign first treaty since WWII, underscoring 'triangle alliance' with France amid growing Russian threat and US distance
-
Mortgage reform: is Rachel Reeves betting the house on City rules shake-up?Today's Big Question Reforms could create up to 36,000 additional mortgages next year
-
Corbynism returns: a new party on the LeftTalking Point Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana's breakaway progressive party has already got off to a shaky start
-
How will Labour pay for welfare U-turn?Today's Big Question A dramatic concession to Labour rebels has left the government facing more fiscal dilemmas
