Tony Blair’s critique of the Labour Party overlooks inequality and the effects of austerity, according to senior party figures. Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester and a potential leadership contender after next month’s Makerfield byelection, described the essay as needing a thoughtful reply, which he plans to deliver on Thursday. He noted that Blair did not address inequality as central to Britain’s political challenges. Burnham told the Observer that the former leader ignored how economic pressures shape current debates and that without recognising these realities, the analysis misses the point. Torsten Bell, a DWP minister involved in Labour’s recent budget, said Blair presented a strong political case but offered little on concrete policy. Bell agreed that personality-driven politics should be avoided yet argued the essay lacked a vision suited to present conditions, adding that mentioning AI does not equal a national strategy. Blair released a detailed review of Labour’s record under Keir Starmer and cautioned against a hasty leadership race without first debating ideas to restore the party’s standing. He urged tighter welfare controls, easing limits on oil and gas, and better ties with Donald Trump. Blair warned that the party risks its future and the country’s by avoiding substantive policy discussion, while also questioning proposals from Wes Streeting and Andy Burnham. Other Labour voices said Blair appears disconnected from shifting voter concerns. Bell acknowledged useful comments on planning and regional spending but said the piece failed to examine why taxes have increased, citing debt costs and public service cuts rather than welfare alone. He rejected the idea that welfare spending is the main cause and warned that Blair’s suggestion to raise VAT instead of employer contributions could lead to higher interest rates and inflation. Bell also pointed to inconsistency in Blair’s stance on relations with the United States.
