Blair is wrong about my government, Starmer says, as he hits back over criticism

The Independent highlights on-the-ground journalism across issues including reproductive rights, climate change, and Big Tech. It cites investigations into the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC and documentary work on American women fighting for reproductive rights. It argues that separating facts from messaging is crucial during a critical moment in US history, and says donations fund journalists who speak to both sides. It claims broad trust across the political spectrum and states it does not use paywalls, aiming to make quality journalism available to everyone. In UK politics, Sir Tony Blair criticizes Sir Keir Starmer’s government for lacking a coherent plan and for prioritizing politics over policy. Starmer rejects the criticism, saying he inherited a different situation in 2024 than in 1997 and endorses discussion of policy and ideas.

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"In a major intervention on Tuesday evening, Sir Tony urged the party to return to its radical centre and warned that the country was in a mess because the party had failed to put policy first and politics last. In a damning indictment of nearly two years of a Starmer government, he added: We don't have a worked-out, coherent plan for the country in a fast-changing world, and are in the wrong political position from which to devise one and win a second term."

"But Sir Keir rejected his criticism, saying he inherited a very different situation in 2024 to 1997. I agree with him that we should be having a discussion about policy and ideas, and that's what generates politics, that's where the focus should be, so Tony is right about that, Sir Keir said during a visit to the"

Read at www.independent.co.uk