Tony Blair brutally hits out at Keir Starmer for 'lack of coherent plan' as he slams Labour over proposals to rejoin EU and Net Zero

Tony Blair has published an essay called 'The Labour Party is playing with fire over its future and the future of the country'

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GB NEWS

Alice Tomlinson

By Alice Tomlinson


Published: 26/05/2026

- 22:27

Updated: 26/05/2026

- 23:23

He said the 'Labour Party is playing with fire; or, more accurately, with its future, and that of the country'

Sir Tony Blair has brutally hit out at Sir Keir Starmer for a "lack of coherent plan" as he slammed Labour over the party's proposals to rejoin the EU and Net Zero policies.

In an essay published by the the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, the former Prime Minister criticises the current chaos engulfing the Labour Party, arguing it has an "extraordinarily retro 20th-century feel to it".


He wrote: "The Labour Party is playing with fire; or, more accurately, with its future, and that of the country."

Whilst he does not blame "Keir's personality" for the party's deteriorating popularity among the electorate, or its failure to communicate its successes or what it stands for, Sir Tony argues it is because there is not a "worked-out, coherent plan for the country in a fast-changing world".

Sir Tony's essay attempts to unpack the predicament the Labour Party finds itself in - writing it has "almost an infinite capacity for self-delusion" and if it continues on as "'Just Labour', it risks getting sliced to the left and right of itself".

He explains how whilst the party might adopt more traditional Labour values, winning back the "Red Wall", a move could alienate the electorate in the south of the country.

The former Prime Minister indirectly points to how the party's leaders have not learnt from his record premiership, writing: "Unfortunately to the exam question: how do we win a second full term of government, the one answer which seems ruled out, is learning from the only time in the party’s 120-year history it has ever done so."

Sir Tony stepped down as Prime Minister in June 2007 after facing an internal revolt within Labour.

Keir Starmer

The former Prime Minister said Labour's problems were not because of 'Keir's personality'

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GETTY

He also writes of a "dangerous" to move to the left "in Government".

Sir Tony writes: "It is one thing when in opposition to indulge this perennial delusion that when we lose seats to the right the country is really signalling it wants Labour to move left; it is dangerous to do it in government."

This could be a possible indication to the rumours Angela Rayner, former deputy Prime Minister, may make a leadership bid, who politically sits on the left of the Party.

The longest serving Labour Prime Minister also takes aim at various issues tormenting the party.

Tony Blair

The essay was published this evening by the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change

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PA

He addresses Brexit, writing: "Just as Brexit was never the answer to Britain’s challenges back in 2016, reversing it isn’t the answer to the country’s far worse situation in 2026."

This comes after the former Health Secretary Wes Streeting said last week leaving the EU was a "catastrophic mistake".

Andy Burnham backpedaled on his position on Brexit - previously saying he would like to see the UK rejoin the EU in his lifetime, but then changing tact arguing it is not helpful to rehash old arguments.

The Makerfield seat he is attempting to win voted 66 per cent in favour of leaving the EU in 2016.

On Net Zero, the former Prime Minister backed the UK making the most of its resources in a bid to improve the country's energy crisis, calling the Government to abandon policy which "prioritise clean energy over cheaper energy".

He wrote: "We must prioritise cheaper energy and electrification over net zero and use what is left of our North Sea oil and gas resources.

"At a minimum, the government should try to limit the effect of the changes made and, as we have argued consistently, remove those parts of the net-zero agenda which prioritise clean energy over cheaper energy; and from now on make sure the actions match the words on growth."

He also addressed the potential leadership challenge against Sir Keir, warning "trying to force the Prime Minister out" whilst future policies have not been outlined "is not a serious way of conducting ourselves".

Sir Tony continued: "If you’re not careful, people will vote thinking they’re getting a version of New(ish) Labour and then in government feel they have instead got a version of Old(ish) Labour...

"The leadership will end up personifying Labour’s essential choice, not resolving it."

He called for the Labour Party "to become the Radical Centre".

GB News has reached out to the Cabinet Office for comment.