Stuck in his glory days': Blunkett and others cast doubt on Blair's advice to Labour party

David Blunkett described friendly disagreements with Tony Blair and said it is hard for public figures to let go. Blair has remained active internationally through the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, advising many countries, and he has roles connected to Donald Trump’s Board of Peace. Blair recently wrote a long essay urging Labour to seize artificial intelligence opportunities, cut red tape, and value its relationship with the White House regardless of the incumbent’s behavior. He also urged Labour to engage China and the Middle East, setting aside concerns about human rights and democratic legitimacy. He called for Labour to leave its soft-left comfort zone, citing policies under the Starmer government that increased national insurance for business and raised the national minimum wage.

"David Blunkett had a chat with his old boss Tony Blair just a few months ago. I can have very constructive disagreements with him and still stay friendly as it should be, the former Labour cabinet minister said with a chuckle. The current generation of senior Labour figures are perhaps a little less warmly disposed towards Blair after his latest intervention in contemporary politics an essay lashing out at Keir Starmer, Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting, followed by a prime 8.10 slot on the Today programme."

"If you're seen on the global stage as still a player, it is hard not to feel that he should be one domestically, Blunkett said. I think like most of us who spend our lives in the public eye it is very hard to let go. Then home secretary David Blunkett with Tony Blair at Labour's 2003 conference. Photograph: Chris Ison/PA"

"It is Blair's proud boast that the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, set up after his departure from Downing Street nearly two decades ago, today advises 40 countries around the world. He is also on the executive board of Donald Trump's Board of Peace, a committee of leaders that was initially said to be a vehicle for the reconstruction of Gaza but is apparently seen in the White House as a rival to the United Nations. The former prime minister nevertheless found time in recent weeks to pen his more than 5,700-word essay, and his message was clear: Labour should seize the potential of artificial intelligence, cut red tape, treasure its relationship with the White House, no matter the erratic nature of the incumbent, and put to one side any queasiness with regard to human rights and democratic legitimacy to engage with China and the Middle East."

"Crucially, Labour must get out of its soft left comfort zone from which the Starmer government increased national insurance on business and oversaw a rise in the national mini"

Read at www.theguardian.com