Tony Blair could launch new centre-ground political party as he returns to frontline politics
SUSPICIONS are mounting that Tony Blair is about to launch a new centre-ground political party.
He repeatedly refused to rule one out as he announced his formal return to frontline politics.
He said he was “not sure I can turn something into a political movement” but crucially added: “I think there is a body of ideas out there people would support.”
But even senior Europhile Blairites told him to stand for re-election as a Labour MP or “shut the f*** up.”
An ally of the former PM admitted: “He just can’t help himself — but he’s not part of the solution.
“And that’s the problem.
“Either come back or don’t.”
They pointed out that the constituency neighbouring his old Sedgefield seat was up for grabs for the June 8 election.
But Labour MP and former shadow chancellor Chris Leslie insisted: “It’s important to hear what he has to say.”
In an interview to mark the 20th anniversary of his 1997 triumph, Mr Blair announced he will be “taking an active part in trying to shape the policy debate”.
He added: “That means getting out and reconnecting.”
He notably side-stepped suggestions of backing a British-style Emmanuel Macron, the favourite to be French President after forming his own party.
And he urged current Labour politicians to join his calls for a second EU referendum.
It has fuelled further speculation he is plotting a new party after the General Election and comes after Lib Dem leader Tim Farron said they had held talks about how to fight Brexit.
Mr Blair has also held talks with other prominent Remain campaigners, including and Nick Clegg.
Jeremy Corbyn slapped down Mr Blair’s latest intervention and bluntly told his long-standing Labour foe: “I’m leading this party.”
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And he demanded Mr Blair ditch his remarks after admitting he had “more in common” with the Lib Dems than Labour.
Mr Corbyn, who has branded Mr Blair a “war criminal” over the Iraq War, said: “Tony Blair has said many things over the last few days.
“What I look forward to is everybody getting together for a Labour victory on June 8.”
Asked by The Sun if the current leadership welcomed Mr Blair’s comeback, Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell said sarcastically: “I always welcome people’s contributions.”
The Tories revelled in Mr Blair’s return — and Theresa May drew laughter at a campaign event when she mentioned his name.
And she batted away his threat of starting a new movement to fight Brexit.
The PM told The Sun: “What I’m interested in is Conservative voices of the future, not Labour voices of the past.”
Tory MP Jacob Rees-Mogg predicted any party set up by Mr Blair would be a “flop”.
He added: “Tony Blair is a man of his time.
“That time has passed.”
And his colleague Philip Davies said: “I don’t think Blair realises how unpopular he is.
“I would welcome him back as an opponent.
“If he is looking for a name for his new party, I suggest the Anti-British Party might be the most suitable, for his desire to see the PM fail in her negotiations with the EU.”
Today the Greens will become the latest party to back a second EU referendum.
It will pile further pressure on Labour in its seats where voters are angry at the party for rejecting a second Brexit vote.
In another blow for Mr Corbyn, former Labour Chancellor Alistair Darling all but ruled out the prospect of an election victory despite there being more than five weeks to go.
He said the best result Labour can hope for is to remain a “sizeable opposition”.
And he suggested Mr Corbyn would be gone if he fails to oust Mrs May.
Asked if he endorsed Mr Corbyn, Mr Darling said: “He is the leader, he is the leader right up to the General Election.
“My view is we need to get on.
“We’re fighting a General Election campaign.
“You know leaders come and go.”
Trevor Kavanagh on Blair's dodgy legacy
TONY Blair is met with disdain by critics — not least for his 2003 invasion of Iraq that many judged illegal.
His support for then-US president George W Bush was fiercely contested and the war became one of the most controversial foreign policy decisions by a British PM.
More than a million people died as a result of the conflict, which was based on a “dodgy dossier” about Iraq’s alleged weapons of mass destruction.
But that didn’t stop Blair bagging a lucrative gig as the UN’s “Middle East Envoy” for peace in 2007.
Since then, his ever-growing fortune has left the public miffed. He is said to be worth over £60million, helped by a property portfolio of nearly 40 posh pads across the country.
Does Britain need Blair back?
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