Tony Blair is poised to make a comeback to British politics amid concern over Jeremy Corbyn’ leadership and fears that Theresa May is a “lightweight” who is ill-equipped to handle Brexit, it is reported today.
The former Labour prime minister is said to be scoping out a base in Westminster from which to try to influence the Brexit deal.
The Sunday Times today reports that Blair is setting up an office close to Whitehall and has been meeting with various current and former senior ministers, including George Osbourne, as he seeks to reposition himself at the heart of British politics and cut down his business interests.
Blair is apparently due to soon meet with the Prime Minister, who is apparently sceptical about his intentions. Her aides believe he will attempt to disrupt Brexit.
Blair’s criticisms of Corbyn are nothing new, with him late last month warning the Labour leader that his “hard left” politics and the hard Brexit Tories could leave millions politically homeless. In June he criticised the inaction from Corbyn over Syria, accusing him of of “standing by” as the Syrian people face barrel bombing and starvation. In May he questioned whether Corbyn could win in 2020.
Corbyn has criticised Blair over Iraq and New Labour’s approach to big business.
More from LabourList
‘Your voice is vital: how you can help shape our decade of national renewal’
Welfare reform: List of Labour MPs prepared to rebel against benefit changes
‘Canada’s Liberals are riding a national pride wave – could Labour do the same?’