Blair makes a major intervention – Media roundup: April 11th, 2013

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Blair makes a major intervention

“The paradox of the financial crisis is that, despite being widely held to have been caused by under-regulated markets, it has not brought a decisive shift to the left. But what might happen is that the left believes such a shift has occurred and behaves accordingly. The risk, which is highly visible here in Britain, is that the country returns to a familiar left/right battle. The familiarity is because such a contest dominated the 20th century. The risk is because in the 21st century such a contest debilitates rather than advances the nation.” – Tony Blair, New Statesman

“In a passage likely to be taken as implicit criticism of Miliband’s policy platform so far, Blair said the public wanted to “know where we’re coming from because that is a clue as to where we would go, if elected”.” – Guardian

Poll suggests voters are against state funded Thatcher funeral

“Ordinary Brits are furious at forking out £10million for the funeral of a woman who shattered many of their communities all those years ago and left them a legacy of despair. And a Mirror poll yesterday reflected the growing anger at the decision to give Margaret Thatcher a ceremonial send-off along the lavish scale of those the Queen Mother and Princess Diana had as national treasures. Almost three out of five insist the procession, church service and security operation should be paid for by the former PM’s family – especially given her son Mark is worth an estimated £20million. Only one in five agree the taxpayer should foot the bill for the funeral of a Tory ­politician who was the country’s most divisive leader – and who was worth £9.5million when she died.” – Mirror

Other highlights

• Glenda jackson savages Thatcher – New Statesman
• SNP currency plans ‘fanciful’ – Left Foot Forward
• Tory donors defect to UKIP – Guardian