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Tony Blair's advice to the incoming government

(22 Posts)
TerriBull Sun 07-Jul-24 15:25:30

"Get tough on crime and don't fall prey to wokeism" from an article in the Sunday Times today. The five missions set out, covering economic growth, the NHS, crime, education and clean energy.

In the article he goes on to mention the challenge of Reform, having pillaged the Tory vote in this election but points out that it is a challenge for Labour too.

In that respect his advice "challenge immigration, if we don't have rules, we get prejudices. In office, I believed the best solution was a system of identity, so we know precisely who has a right to be here" and suggests we should move to digital id. "If not, new border controls will have to be highly effective"

"We need a tough new approach to law and order. At present, criminal elements are modernising faster than law enforcement"That's definitely very apparent.

"And the government should avoid any vulnerability on "wokeism"

"There is also clearly a challenge in part of the Muslim community, but that is a topic requiring its own special analysis"

I thought pretty sound advice, even though I didn't vote for Labour, it's undeniable that the Tories have made a pig's ear in many areas and a new approach is needed.

Any thoughts?

TerriBull Sun 07-Jul-24 15:42:27

I was also interested in another article by Kathleen Stock as to Labour's intention to lower the voting age to 16. Her observations looking towards continental Europe, it's not necessarily a given that demographic will be leaning to the left. For example. In recent elections young voters in Germany, Portugal, Finland, The Netherlands and Belgium have been instrumental in significant gains for hard right parties. In April a poll found that 32% of French 18 - 25 year olds intended to vote for Marine Le Pen's National Rally, now likely to become the biggest parliamentary block in France.

She went on to point out that we too have economic instability, housing crisis and the after effects of a Covid lockdown, and the a perception that law and order is breaking down - all factors that said to be driving the rise of the right across Europe. "Farage may seem like an embarrassing drunk uncle to most teens and twenty somethings but if he were to find his own sharp suited TikTok friendly "Jordan Bardella" were to enter British politics it might be a different story.

winterwhite Sun 07-Jul-24 15:50:39

I think this a bit rich of Tony Blair. KS and his new cabinet are quite capable of analysing these problems for themselves.

Whitewavemark2 Sun 07-Jul-24 16:01:49

TBs advise was politely received, but turned down.

Anniebach Sun 07-Jul-24 16:04:43

Did Blair say he was giving advice to Starmer ?

LizzieDrip Sun 07-Jul-24 16:05:14

TBs advise was politely received, but turned down

Exactly! KS and his team will be just fine without advice from TB.

kittylester Sun 07-Jul-24 16:12:20

Bit rich of TB really. I am not a labour voter but I am quite optimistic about this government - hope it delivers.

Galaxy Sun 07-Jul-24 16:20:54

Its sound advice. If they dont follow at least some of it they will fail. The SNP is a good example of how not to behave.

TerriBull Sun 07-Jul-24 16:21:37

kittylester

Bit rich of TB really. I am not a labour voter but I am quite optimistic about this government - hope it delivers.

I think I read, some months ago that KS was turning to TB for advice, but as and when it became clear that Labour were going to surely win the election maybe it was wise of him to put some distance between them, given TB is, like so many previous leaders, somewhat of a tainted yesterday's man I did read TB texts KS quite a bit maybe he should block him!

Yeah I'm with you Kitty, not a Labour voter, I have been, but am optimistically hoping that this new government delivers on some of its proposed strategies. .

Oreo Sun 07-Jul-24 17:12:03

I think that Tony Blair is spot on with his advice Terribull

GrannyGravy13 Sun 07-Jul-24 17:13:45

kittylester

Bit rich of TB really. I am not a labour voter but I am quite optimistic about this government - hope it delivers.

I am cautiously optimistic, but deeply concerned regarding taxes.

Anniebach Sun 07-Jul-24 17:21:36

Why would Blair think his article in the press would be taken as
advice and acted on ? Any advice would not be given in public

MaizieD Sun 07-Jul-24 17:44:09

Anniebach

Why would Blair think his article in the press would be taken as
advice and acted on ? Any advice would not be given in public

I agree, Ab.

Loads of people have been telling a prospective new labour government what they should be doing in the past few months and weeks. I trust that Blair is no more influential than any of them...

Particularly as Blair is so tainted by Iraq...

Bumface Sun 07-Jul-24 17:58:23

Not only is Tony Blair to blame for the farcical business of weapons of mass destruction which lead to the war in Iraq, he also introduced university fees which meant only those with well off parents were not saddled with debt for years to come.
And, as if that were not enough, he carried on damaging the NHS by outsourcing services and relating funding to performance. He probably did more damage than Thatcher and all in the name of socialism.

If I were Keir Starmer I would tell him to .... ...

Oreo Sun 07-Jul-24 19:35:29

I think Starmer is astute enough to know that what Blair is saying makes total sense.

Galaxy Sun 07-Jul-24 19:39:51

I think he realised it a while ago. Starmers whole approach changed a while back.

Whitewavemark2 Sun 07-Jul-24 19:43:15

Galaxy

I think he realised it a while ago. Starmers whole approach changed a while back.

When as that then?

Whitewavemark2 Sun 07-Jul-24 19:43:28

Was not as

petra Sun 07-Jul-24 19:54:03

Galaxy

I think he realised it a while ago. Starmers whole approach changed a while back.

Totally agree. I can’t pinpoint when it was but he certainly has.
A while back he jumped on any relevant idea/ movement going but thank god someone had the sense to tell him, no! keep away.
Having written that I think he changed when he realised the damage he’d done to his reputation when he spoke about women having a penis.
I don’t know what he truely believes but at least he’s learnt to keep his mouth shut on contentious issues.

Galaxy Sun 07-Jul-24 20:15:09

I am not sure, it's been gradual, certainly his stance on the gender issue did a complete volte face. He started talking about traditional values etc.

Sparklefizz Sun 07-Jul-24 20:35:26

I think Blair is right in that we need digital ID for obvious reasons.

Curtaintwitcher Mon 08-Jul-24 06:31:21

Perhaps Tony Blair has woken up to the mistakes he made and wants another go at power. What he has said is good advice, but Starmer needs to be his own man and not someone's puppet. He has little respect to start with because of his shilly-shallying.