Kemi Badenoch Tells Tony Blair to Stop Offering Policy Advice to Labour
Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative Party leader, has openly told former Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair to "not waste your time" attempting to influence the Labour government's direction. Badenoch's intervention follows Sir Tony's 5,600-word essay, which asserted that Sir Keir Starmer's administration lacked a "coherent plan" for the UK and implemented policies that hindered commercial activity.
In an open letter published in The Times, Badenoch acknowledged Sir Tony's call for Labour MPs to focus on a "proper political project that increases our economic and military strength." However, she maintained that only the Conservatives could deliver this, suggesting Sir Tony should cast his vote for her party in the next general election.
Badenoch criticised aspects of Sir Tony's governmental record, particularly on devolution and the impact of legal reforms on migration. She remarked, "The Blairite legacy is that the entire country is now run by HR as Labour junk your best ideas and champion your worst." She concluded by advising, "Don't expect Labour to change. Don't waste your time with these essays."
Sir Tony's original essay offered specific suggestions, including adjusting net-zero policies to prioritise cheaper energy, reforming welfare, and removing obstacles to business growth. Sir Keir Starmer subsequently issued a 3,000-word rebuttal, defending his administration's policy decisions and claiming the UK was "outperforming our peers" economically. Former Labour health secretary Wes Streeting and Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham have both accused Sir Tony of underestimating the role of inequality in his analysis.
