The enduring influence of Tony Blair on British politics remains a contentious issue, as highlighted by recent events. Former Prime Minister Tony Blair continues to dominate headlines and political discourse, despite leaving office nearly two decades ago. This phenomenon raises questions about the Labour Party's inability to move beyond the Blair era.
The Persistent Presence of Blairism
Recent weeks have seen a flurry of activity from prominent Blairites. Peter Mandelson's messages and exchanges with Pat McFadden captivated Westminster. Tony Blair himself published an essay, followed by a report on youth unemployment from his former health secretary, Alan Milburn. The Labour leadership contest is shaping up to be a battle between Andy Burnham, praised by Blair as an outstanding member of his government, and Wes Streeting, a devoted fan of the former PM.
This pervasive influence suggests that an outsider might think Britain is under the control of Tony Blair. Whether it is Blair in the spotlight or other figures from the 1997 Labour government, such as Harriet Harman, Gordon Brown, Jonathan Powell, or Michael Barber, the old guard is constantly called upon. Even after a poor showing in local elections, the party turns to these figures for guidance.
Media Coverage and Public Perception
A Guardian analysis of national newspapers found that Tony Blair received three times the coverage of Yvette Cooper and Shabana Mahmood combined. A man who left power almost 20 years ago generates more headlines than the current home secretary and foreign secretary. He conducts major interviews, attracts extensive responses, and sets the terms of political debate.
Despite claims of being an enigma, Blair has been vocal on numerous issues in the past two years, including Iran, digital ID, and net zero. His frequent appearances are not driven by public demand; polls show he is considered less worth listening to than Boris Johnson. Instead, his audience is the political and media elite.
A Backward-Looking Government
The current Labour government under Keir Starmer appears trapped in a cycle of ancestor worship. More time has passed since New Labour took office than between New Labour and Harold Wilson's government. Yet, the party treats Blairite ideas as timeless wisdom, ignoring the failures of the past, including the loss of a million manufacturing jobs, a decline in council housing, and the financial bubble that led to the 2008 crisis.
Bryan Gould's criticism of Mandelson applies equally to Blair: he had a vision for winning elections but not for changing society. The Blair project's justification collapsed with the financial crisis, yet there has been little rethinking of political economy or Labour's purpose.
The Failure to Innovate
Recent exchanges between Mandelson and McFadden reveal a lack of fresh thinking. McFadden's focus on taxation and benefits, and Mandelson's vague rallying cry to 'win for Britain,' offer no substantive policy. Mandelson's advice to embrace risk and knowledge echoes the thinking that led to the banking crisis.
This government, led by a man with the political acumen of Rishi Sunak and still haunted by Liz Truss, remains beholden to Blairites who themselves lived in the shadow of Margaret Thatcher. It is a sad, backward-looking administration that fails to address contemporary challenges.
Aditya Chakrabortty is a Guardian columnist
