By James Simons-
Former UK prime minister, Tony Blair, is plotting a comeback to British politics.
Blair said he feels strongly about the state of British politics and is considering a role for himself in the future.
Speaking to Esquire magazine, Blair said the government was restricted to a choice between a government pursuing a ”hard Brexit” and an ultra-left Labour party, whose policies he said are out of date. Blair’s spokesman told the BBC that Blair wanted to play a part in the debate because the true centre ground is vacant. According to his spokesman, he would not be returning to frontline politics, although Mr.Blair obviously want to influence the political debate surrounding Brexit and all the economic and political future facing the UK.
Tony Blair has already faced serious criticism over his role in taking Britain to the Iraq war in 2003, his reputation seriously tarnished in this summer’s official Chilcot inquiry into the war. Blair is also no fan of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and delivered public warnings to the Labour party before for members not to elect Corbyn, because of the potential liability Tony Blair believed he would pose to the party. especially in weakening its appeal to the voting public. The bitter division that followed the Brexit outcome and led to a second vote would have convinced Blair that his former party is in trouble.
SCATHING
Tony Blair has also been scathing about the Conservative Party’s Brexit accomplishment, in particular criticising David Cameron for calling what Blair has always insisted was an unnecessary referendum. A referendum which has led to a ”hard Brexit” outcome Blair is very critical about. The ex-prime minister is also bemoaning the absence of any real opposition to the ongoing ”hard Brexit” situation that EU members have tied Theresa May to, referring to British politics as a ”one party state”.
Blair told the BBC ” It’s a tragedy for British politics if the choice before the country is a Conservative government going for a hard Brexit and an ultra-left Labour party, that believes in a set of policies that takes us back to the 60’s”.
”In the UK at the moment, you’ve got a one-party state. When you put all together, there is something seriously wrong
‘‘I don’t know if there is a role for me.There is a limit to what I want to say about my own position at the moment. All I can say is that this where politics is at. Do I feel strongly about it? Yes, I do. Am I motivated by that? Yes. ”Where do I go from here? What exactly do I do? That’s an open question. Blair said there had been a huge reaction against the politics he represents, adding that it is to soon to say the centre has been defeated. ”Ultimately, I don’t think it will (be defeated). I think it will succeed again.
”The centre ground is a retreat. This is our challenge. We’ve got to rise to that challenge.”. It seems the role for Tony Blair at best is that of a commentator, where he can make his own input into the political situation and debate. The one problem is how he plans to shake off the stain to his reputation that inevitably comes with widely known misjudgement about Iraq? Blair ahs since accepted his errors in relation to Iraq, but there will always be those who would wonder if he is attempting to influence politics with another highly flawed perspective on political issues.
CAUTION
Caution should be called for on both grounds, since a man in serious error on one thing, can be right on the money in relation to a separate thing. Blair’s anathema to a ”one party state” may also be influenced that in his time he had a more competent leader of opposition in Neil Kinnock. An opposition leader who could on a number of occasions challenge Blair and sometimes give him a run for his money. Corbyn seems to be struggling to make an impact and provides the limited opposition for the new female prime minister, who is confidence is her goals and moving her agenda quickly. The unknown factor of whether Theresa May will actually see things work out well for Britain is what Blair doubts, making for an interesting and intriguing year ahead.