Tony Blair reveals his £10m war chest to block Brexit and fight against Donald Trump and ‘populism’ after winding up his lucrative companies
Former PM to pour £9.3m into his new not-for-profit organisation set up in the wake of last year's 'political earthquakes'
TONY Blair has pumped £9.3million into his new not-for-profit organisation set up to focus on influencing Brexit and the future of Europe.
The former Prime Minister announced at the end of last year he would launch the Tony Blair Institute, which he described as a "platform designed to build a new policy agenda for the centre ground".
Yesterday the 63-year-old revealed he has "gifted" millions to the new organisation after shutting down some of his other lucrative businesses.
His new body's aims include "helping countries alleviate poverty, raising people’s standards of living, fostering religious and cultural tolerance and advancing peace and reconciliation".
He has pledged to work for nothing in his new role and will not receive a salary or remuneration, despite raking in millions from his former consultancy project Windrush Ventures.
He said: “In the past six months we have seen political earthquakes in the UK with Brexit and in the American election, as well as an explosion in populist movements all over the European continent.”
The former PM said the group was not a think tank, but a “platform to inform and support the practising politician”.
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But the millionaire denied that the platform would be a springboard for him to return to politics.
“This is not about my returning to the front line of politics. I have made it abundantly clear that this is not possible,” he said, expanding on an interview he gave where he said that there was too much hostility against him for a return.
“However, I care about my country and the world my children and grandchildren will grow up in; and want to play at least a small part in contributing to the debate about the future of both,” Mr Blair added.