Tony Blair has revealed plans to set up a new centre-ground institute to combat the “new populism of left and right”.
The former prime minister today ended months of speculation by saying the new body would provide answers to anti-business and anti-immigrant views which share a “closed-minded approach to globalisation”.
In a lengthy statement published on his website, he ruled out a return to frontline politics and said his new not-for-profit organisation would deliver policies based on evidence rather than the “plague” of social media abuse.
Blair also said the centre would be a response to the political shocks of the last year, such as Brexit and the election of Donald Trump to the US presidency.
The new organisation will not be a think tank but aims to support practising politicians.
“It is what I know I would want were I still in the frontline of politics….
It marks one of Blair’s biggest political interventions since he left Downing Street in 2007 and comes 24 hours after he was the subject of intense debate in the House of Commons over an SNP-led motion – ultimately defeated heavily – which aimed to launch a new inquiry into his public statements in the run-up to the Iraq war.
Today Blair hit out at criticism of the business interests he has developed since leaving office – “much of it inaccurate”, he said – and highlighted the challenges of governance in eastern Europe, south America and Africa, as well as religious extremism and the Middle East peace process.
“During the time since leaving office, I have learnt a huge amount about the world and frankly what I can do and can’t do to affect it positively.”
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