Tony Blair
Coverage of Tony Blair in the Nexus archive.
- Tony Blair warns Andy Burnham against 'wealth taxes'... as PM-in-waiting plots to drag more homes into 'mansion tax'
Tony Blair warns Andy Burnham against implementing 'wealth taxes' as Burnham plans to expand the 'mansion tax' to more homes.
- SMOKERS’ CORNER: COLA POLITICS
The article compares modern political branding to consumer choices like cola brands, citing Slavoj Žižek's analogy that voting behavior mirrors superficial consumer preferences. It highlights how political campaigns use branding, symbolism, and visual cues to shape voter identity, similar to corporate strategies, with examples like Obama's 'Hope' poster, Trump's MAGA caps, and New Labour's rebranding.
- Why England's national story runs through soccer
Playwright James Graham discusses how soccer in England transcends sport, serving as a medium for national storytelling and community cohesion. He highlights the emotional impact of events like Gareth Southgate's missed penalty in Euro '96 and links the tournament's euphoria to Labour's Tony Blair's 1997 election victory. Graham argues soccer's unifying power contrasts with political divisions.
- The old mate Andy Burnham has tapped to run his Downing Street
Andy Burnham has selected James Purnell to serve as his chief of staff at Downing Street if he becomes prime minister. Burnham and Purnell, longtime political allies who worked under Tony Blair, share a history of collaboration, including helping Burnham secure a parliamentary seat in 2001. Purnell, currently a university vice-chancellor and former Labour minister, is described as a Blairite and cross-factional operator.
- What does Burnham’s appointment of ex-Blair minister mean?
Andy Burnham appointed James Purnell, a minister from the Tony Blair era, as his chief of staff. The move is seen as a step toward building his leadership, welcomed by Labour MPs, business, and the City. Darren Jones ruled out a leadership challenge, potentially clearing the path for Burnham, while Reform UK's Robert Jenrick discussed migration and Labour's new direction.
- Andy Burnham lines up ex-Blair minister James Purnell as chief of staff
Andy Burnham is appointing James Purnell as his chief of staff ahead of his expected leadership of the Labour Party and potential PM role. Purnell, a former minister under Tony Blair, left parliament in 2010 and later worked at the BBC and Flint Global. Burnham is expected to be the sole Labour leadership candidate following Keir Starmer's resignation.
- UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer under pressure to resign
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces pressure to resign, with Andy Burnham emerging as a potential successor. Labour members favor Burnham due to his recent parliamentary seat win and leadership in a fast-growing region, contrasting with Starmer's unpopularity. A former Tony Blair adviser highlighted Burnham's political enthusiasm, while Rishi Sunak warned about the rapid depreciation of political capital.
- Makerfield by-election: This may finally be the end for Starmer
The Makerfield by-election could determine the future of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. A victory for Labour candidate Andy Burnham, a former Manchester mayor, might trigger a leadership challenge against Starmer, with Burnham seen as a more relatable alternative to revitalize the Labour Party and counter the far right.
- Polling on Gavin Newsom, Kamala Harris should alarm Californians
Polling on Gavin Newsom and Kamala Harris indicates growing concerns among Californians, as reflected in Tony Blair's observation about population trends linked to a state's desirability. California's unaffordability is driving people to leave.
- Tony Blair takes on larger role as US-led Board of Peace struggles to advance Gaza plan
Former UK prime minister Tony Blair assumes a larger role in a US-led Board of Peace, focusing on managerial responsibilities, aid efforts, and engagement with the Palestinian Authority on reforms. The board is struggling to advance its Gaza plan.
- Tony Blair's latest intervention reveals a man who learned nothing from Iraq
Tony Blair's recent 5,700-word essay on UK politics argues for continued alignment with the US amid shifting global powers, despite criticism of his past handling of the Iraq invasion and current support for US-Israeli military actions against Iran. The article criticizes Blair for not evolving his foreign policy stance and for downplaying international law violations.
- Reform UK extends its polling lead over Labour to nine points ahead of crucial Makerfield by-election - while voters would prefer Tony Blair as PM to Keir Starmer or Andy Burnham
Reform UK has extended its polling lead over Labour by nine points ahead of the Makerfield by-election. Voters would prefer Tony Blair as Prime Minister compared to Keir Starmer or Andy Burnham.
- Labour civil war rages as Wes Streeting calls for U-turn on Reeves' 'jobs tax'... and Tony Blair swipes that Burnham doesn't 'understand' the world
A Labour Party internal conflict intensifies as Wes Streeting urges a reversal of Reeves' 'jobs tax' policy, while Tony Blair criticizes Burnham for lacking understanding of global affairs.
- Why Kemi should enlist Tony Blair as the secret weapon who might just get her into Number 10: QUENTIN LETTS
The article suggests Kemi should enlist Tony Blair as a potential strategy to secure a position in Number 10. It frames Blair as a possible 'secret weapon' to achieve this political goal.
- PETER HITCHENS: Blair brought us war, mass migration, tax, debt and lies. It's high time he faced the scrutiny he deserves - and stopped peddling suspect advice
Peter Hitchens criticizes Tony Blair for leading to war, mass migration, tax, debt, and lies, urging scrutiny and an end to his 'suspect advice'.
- Kemi Badenoch says the TORIES are now Tony Blair's only hope - warning Labour will ignore ex-PM's pleas to chase growth and scale back Net Zero
Kemi Badenoch claims the TORIES are Tony Blair's only hope, warning that Labour will disregard his calls to prioritize economic growth and reduce Net Zero initiatives.
- Should Labour heed Tony Blair?
The article discusses whether the Labour party should consider advice from Tony Blair. It also mentions Restore Britain's potential threat to Reform UK.
- Andy Burnham says Makerfield can be 'most powerful constituency in the land' in fresh attack on Starmer - as he demands more state control after Blair's plea for lower taxes
Andy Burnham claims Makerfield could become 'the most powerful constituency in the land' in a critique of Keir Starmer, advocating for greater state control following Tony Blair's call for lower taxes.
- Tony Blair is right... and Labour will ruin both itself and the country by never forgiving him for realising this cold-hard truth: JOHN WOODCOCK
Tony Blair is described as being correct about a 'cold-hard truth,' with the claim that Labour will destroy itself and the country by refusing to forgive him for this realization. The article is authored by John Woodcock.
- Keir Starmer defends policy choices in rebuttal of Blair’s criticism
Keir Starmer dismissed Tony Blair’s criticism of his government’s policies, arguing that the current situation differs significantly from 1997 and that his administration is implementing necessary measures for today. Starmer stated Blair misunderstands the government’s achievements during a visit to an apprentice training center in west London.
- The Campaign Diary of Robert Kenyon Aged 41 and Three-Quarters (as imagined by John Crace)
Robert Kenyon criticizes Carol Vorderman for reacting to his comment about her fitness and dismisses concerns about global warming, advocating for increased fossil fuel use. He supports Tony Blair's stance against net zero, comparing current climate policies to historical Neanderthal eras.
- Blair’s fossil fuel ideas ‘bizarre’ in face of energy and climate crises, experts say
Experts criticize former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair's proposal to abandon net zero targets and increase oil and gas drilling in the North Sea, arguing it would destabilize the economy and worsen climate risks. They highlight that clean energy is more cost-effective and stable, especially amid current energy crises and geopolitical tensions.
- A summer of Labour chaos? Tony Blair 'poised to ramp up his interventions' in leadership battle - as Wes Streeting takes a swipe at ex-PM over Iraq
Tony Blair is reportedly set to increase his involvement in the UK Labour Party's leadership contest, while Wes Streeting criticizes the former PM over the Iraq War. The article highlights political tensions within Labour as Blair's potential interventions could disrupt the leadership race.
- Tony is right! Keir Starmer 'under pressure from Cabinet ministers to rethink Net Zero' as Blair tells PM to scrap Ed Miliband's 'illogical' targets
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces pressure from Cabinet ministers to reconsider Net Zero targets, with Tony Blair advising him to abandon Ed Miliband's 'illogical' climate goals. The article highlights internal political tensions over climate policy.
- Burnham bites back: Blair 'doesn't understand' people's lives today, blasts Labour leadership hopeful
Kingsmill Burnham criticizes Tony Blair for lacking understanding of modern people's lives and attacks a Labour leadership hopeful. The remarks highlight internal Labour Party tensions over leadership and policy direction.
- Blair ‘does not understand’ role of inequality in politics, Burnham says
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham criticized former Prime Minister Tony Blair for failing to grasp the role of inequality in politics, following a veiled attack from Blair. Burnham accused Blair of misunderstanding how inequality influences political dynamics.
- Blair’s advice for Labour fails to engage with inequality, senior party figures say
Senior Labour figures criticize Tony Blair's essay for failing to address modern challenges like inequality and austerity. Andy Burnham and Torsten Bell argue the former PM's critique lacks relevance, with Burnham planning a detailed response.
- Tony Blair and the Reform party both want AI in government, though they can't agree on what for
Tony Blair and Reform MP Danny Kruger both advocate for AI in government but with divergent goals. Blair emphasizes AI's transformative potential for public services and economic competitiveness, while Kruger's Reform party proposes using AI to reduce government size and efficiency. Blair's Institute for Global Change, backed by entities like the Gates Foundation and Oracle, promotes AI as a solution to governance challenges.
- Labour must put policy first, politics second, Tony Blair says
Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair urges the Labour Party to prioritize policy over politics and 'analyse the world' amid concerns over its leadership under Keir Starmer. He warns the party's 'self-delusion' could lead to electoral defeat.
- Tony Blair says UK is not 'a serious country' as he condemns 'bizarre' Labour leadership chaos, calls for benefits cuts and says rejoining EU 'isn't the answer'
Tony Blair criticized the UK's political state, calling it 'not a serious country' and condemning Labour Party leadership chaos as 'bizarre.' He advocated for benefits cuts and argued that rejoining the EU is not the solution.
- Minister rejects Blair intervention, accusing ex-PM of retreading old arguments – UK politics live
Tony Blair has criticized Labour leaders Keir Starmer, Andy Burnham, and Wes Streeting in a 5,700-word essay, warning their actions risk the party's future. The Labour leadership contest is intensifying amid Blair's intervention, though he is not a candidate. Current Labour figures are actively engaging in the contest while Starmer defends his legacy.
- Wednesday briefing: Can the UK adapt in time to a new normal of extreme heat?
The UK faces record-breaking spring temperatures, with health alerts due to risks for vulnerable populations and warnings of a new heatwave normal. Additional reports cover political tensions, post-riot domestic abuse arrests, global hunger linked to US-Israel conflicts, and legal reviews of non-custodial sentences for rape cases.
- DAILY MAIL COMMENT: Will Starmer listen to blast from Blair?
The article questions whether UK Labour Party leader Keir Starmer will heed advice or criticism from former Prime Minister Tony Blair. The title references a 'blast from Blair,' suggesting potential political tension or guidance.
- Tony Blair warns that Labour's lurch to the Left is pushing Britain into the 'relegation zone' - and says ditching Starmer won't fix the party's problems
Tony Blair warns that the Labour Party's shift to the Left is endangering Britain's political standing, labeling it the 'relegation zone.' He argues that removing Labour leader Jeremy Starmer will not resolve the party's challenges.
- Tony Blair’s essay on Labour failings gets full marks for being unhelpful
Tony Blair's 5,700-word essay criticizes Labour Party leader Keir Starmer and the UK's political direction, urging the abandonment of net zero goals and closer alignment with Trump. The article dismisses Blair's intervention as unhelpful and designed to annoy his party.
- Tony Blair tells Starmer and rivals: abandon net zero and move closer to Trump
Tony Blair criticizes Labour leaders Keir Starmer, Andy Burnham, and Wes Streeting for abandoning the political center, warning that the party's 'self-delusion' could lead to electoral defeat. He advocates cutting welfare spending, relaxing oil and gas restrictions, and improving relations with Donald Trump.
- Tony Blair criticises Labour’s Andy Burnham for leftwing ‘delusion’
Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair criticized Labour leader Andy Burnham for what he described as a leftwing 'delusion,' warning that the party's internal leadership debate risks destabilizing the UK's future by 'playing with fire.'
- ‘No evidence’ of formal security vetting when Andrew became UK trade envoy, minister says
Government documents reveal that formal security vetting was not conducted before Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's appointment as UK trade envoy in 2001. Newly released files show that Queen Elizabeth II was instrumental in requesting her son take the prominent role to promote British interests.
- Schools are ‘pipeline’ to joblessness for many people, says ex-Labour adviser
Former Labour adviser Peter Hyman has warned that schools are functioning as a 'pipeline' to joblessness for many UK young people, describing youth unemployment as a 'national scandal'. He has called for urgent government action including banning social media and reforming education to address the growing population of young people not in education, employment, or training (NEET).
- REVEALED: Jeffrey Epstein helped billionaire's son avoid justice over rape and murder of beautiful student in London - and how bombshell files uncovered bizarre intervention by Tony Blair's top prosecutor
Jeffrey Epstein helped a billionaire's son avoid justice in a rape and murder case of a student in London, with intervention from Tony Blair's top prosecutor. The bombshell files uncovered the bizarre details of the case. The incident involved a beautiful student in London.