Sir Keir Starmer has defended his government’s policy decisions after former Labour Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair accused the administration of having “no coherent plan” for the country, sparking a fresh bout of infighting within the party.
In a 5,600-word essay, Blair warned Labour against forcing Starmer to quit without having a proper policy agenda to follow him, and called for a “fundamental reset” of the party’s direction. The intervention, his first since the party was plunged into a leadership crisis, has drawn sharp responses from senior figures.
“Tony Blair’s accusation that Labour has ‘no coherent plan’ has triggered a war of words with Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting, exposing deep divisions over the party’s economic and environmental policies.”
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and former minister Wes Streeting hit back, accusing Blair of ignoring inequality. Burnham, speaking to City A.M., called for stronger state intervention in the economy to deliver what he terms “good growth”. While conceding areas of agreement with Blair – notably on the importance of economic growth – Burnham said there was a “gaping” hole in the former PM’s blueprint.
The New Statesman described Blair’s intervention as potentially sparking a “Labour civil war”, noting that he had called for Starmer to “rip net zero to pieces”. A cartoon by Nicola Jennings in the Guardian lampooned Blair’s critique of Labour policy.
Blair, who won three general elections for Labour, has warned that forcing Starmer out without a proper policy alternative would be a mistake. His essay urges the party to adopt a more centrist, pro-business stance, sharply at odds with the more interventionist approach advocated by Burnham.
What happens next: The Labour Party faces a deepening divide over its future direction, with Blair’s essay likely to fuel debate at upcoming party conferences and potential leadership contests. Starmer’s allies have dismissed the criticism, insisting the government has a clear plan focused on economic growth and public service reform.
What This Means For You: The internal Labour battle could delay major policy decisions on net zero, economic intervention, and public spending. Voters may face uncertainty over which direction the government will take on issues affecting their daily lives, from energy bills to public services. Business leaders will be watching closely for signals on regulation and state intervention.