Tony Blair’s Unfiltered Advice: Charting a Path for Leadership in Conversation with Sir Keir Starmer

Adam Boulton: Tony Blair is in discussions with Sir Keir Starmer, but what advice is he offering?

Tony Blair clarifies in his latest book that he hasn't assisted the current prime minister with government transition processes, leaving it uncertain whether the new leadership at Number 10 would appreciate his counsel.

Sky News analyst @adamboultonTABB

Sunday, September 8, 2024, 1:

In the annals of British politics, only four Labour leaders have secured outright victories in general elections: Clement Attlee, Harold Wilson, Tony Blair, and now Sir Keir Starmer. Of these, only Blair and Starmer are still living.

Tony Blair acknowledges that he regularly communicates with his successor. Despite claims that he has been sending text messages to Mr. Starmer with advice on transitioning into government, Mr. Blair emphasizes that their conversations are general discussions and he does not provide direct guidance.

He's absolutely right. In his latest book On Leadership, which spans 328 pages, the ex-prime minister notes, "It's crucial for a leader to foster a sense of hope. Nobody likes the idea of boarding a flight with a downcast pilot. It's important for the leader to appear motivated and assured. They should radiate confidence, not worry."

The current prime minister seems to be ignoring the popular sentiment, evident from his rather pessimistic "things can only get worse…" address to the country.

The new government has not yet detailed what it means by things getting worse "…before they get better." Mr. Starmer's hopeful outlook appears limited to undoing the supposed harm inflicted by the Tories.

Observers will naturally compare the recent remarks made by the last Labour prime minister with the initial actions taken by the newly instated Labour administration in its early months.

Mr. Blair's concepts extend beyond the UK, yet he recognizes that his language mirrors that of Mr. Starmer, especially when he discusses governmental "missions" and the decade required to transform a nation.

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Mr. Blair's return to the public discourse marks a crucial move in his effort to revive his political career.

"I would have remained had it been possible."

At 71 years old, he continues to promote his book, "Lessons For The 21st Century," through public appearances and high-profile media interviews, actively contributing his ideas to the public discourse.

Mr. Blair acknowledges, "I would have remained if possible," and expresses that "nothing makes me long for a return to government more" than "the technological revolution of the 21st century."

Despite the ex-prime minister's active mind, Mr. Starmer does not have to worry about him directly threatening his leadership. Mr. Blair has made it clear that he does not intend to seek a return to office.

He claims he's simply sharing insights on authority, based on his ten years at Number 10 and the subsequent 18 years spent consulting global "Leaders"—he consistently capitalizes the 'L'. Regardless of whether or not people concur with his views, he believes this to be a valuable endeavor.

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An outcast among his political peers

Tony Blair has remained a key figure for major corporations and global leaders seeking his advice since he stepped down from office.

For several years, he was virtually invisible at home. Until recently, he hardly dared to stroll through his neighborhood, anxious that someone might confront him and try to detain him over supposed war crimes committed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Under Jeremy Corbyn's leadership, Tony Blair was ostracized by his own party, mocked on signs as 'Tony B liar'. In an interview with a newspaper, Blair even briefly considered relocating permanently to the US.

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In "On Leadership," he shares insights that are shaped by the tough lessons he learned following the events of September 11.

He remarks regretfully: "The significant danger arises when foreign policy is implemented inconsistently, when responses to events and issues are improvised, and when the crucial need for clarity and coherence is overlooked."

He has also acknowledged that both the UK and the US failed to fully consider or appropriately react to the outcomes of their actions in the Middle East.

The invasion of Iraq took place in 2003. It has been 18 years since Tony Blair stepped back from frontline politics. In 2010, he released his autobiography, "Tony Blair: A Journey," and generously gave all the earnings, which exceeded £5 million, to a charity supporting wounded military personnel.

His latest initiatives aim to extract general teachings for the future based on his past experiences, instead of focusing on defending his previous actions.

Following a successful stint offering his services worldwide, he has dedicated the last seven years to the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change on a non-profit basis.

The organization currently has a workforce of more than 1,000 individuals stationed in nearly 50 nations. Each year, it hosts the Future of Britain conference in London.

The book does not include any references to Mr. Starmer. Gordon Brown, the competitor who ultimately ousted Blair, is mentioned just a single time, in a somewhat unclear manner, in a section titled Avoid Paranoia.

In his writings, Blair casually mentions, "[Brown] was an essential component of our government's operations, harboring ambitions to take over my position, preferably sooner rather than later. Naturally, my team wasn't too pleased about that. I often remarked, 'he has every right to aspire to the role.'"

Three phases of leadership development

Tony Blair believes that the progression of leaders follows three distinct phases, applicable across all nations and forms of governance.

Initially, they embrace their new authority with eagerness, absorbing information avidly. This is followed by a phase where they believe they have all the answers. Ultimately, they reach a stage of maturity, recognizing their own limitations and becoming open once again to new ideas and perspectives.

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Not every leader reaches that "profound level of understanding," but Mr. Blair feels he has achieved it and desires to assist other leaders in reaching it more swiftly.

The phrase "What matters is what works" was commonly heard during the New Labour era. In his book, Mr. Blair emphasizes that leaders need to own their decisions, gather top-notch teams, make swift and firm decisions, and ensure they are providing their citizens with service and security, regardless of the political system, a point he makes with a hint of mystery.

Mr. Blair's practical approach and seeming indifference to the methods leaders use to attain their positions reflect principles found in Machiavelli’s guide, The Prince, though absent of any spitefulness. Unlike Machiavelli, Mr. Blair advises against creating adversaries, recommends forgiveness, and suggests ignoring hostile criticisms.

He generally steers clear of details, yet some of his remarks on present matters in this new launch are likely to spark debate.

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He thinks that the world could handle a second term from Donald Trump. Reflecting possibly on the impeachment of his friend Bill Clinton, he is cautious about using the justice system for political purposes. He believes in applying the law equally to leaders and citizens, yet he also sees value in using discretion to determine when legal actions are genuinely essential.

He laments that successive UK governments have not maintained the key global partnerships he established—being America's closest ally, occupying a central position in Europe, and leading efforts to aid less developed nations.

He argues that Brexit has led to a shift from young, short-term migrants from the EU to immigrants from former British colonies who often arrive with their families.

Primarily, Mr. Blair champions the potential benefits that technology and artificial intelligence offer.

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He has consistently maintained that digital ID cards are essential for reducing illegal immigration. He was among the global stars who shared stages with cryptocurrency mogul Sam Bankman-Fried, who has since been found guilty of fraud.

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Mr. Blair displays profound enthusiasm and awe for the opportunities that large technology firms and visionaries like Elon Musk are creating.

He details numerous real-world technological uses currently being implemented by governments worldwide. He argues that the advent of AI will transform the role of the state and emphasizes the need to comprehend this transformation and embrace optimal practices.

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Mr. Blair is more enthusiastic than the Starmer administration about adopting new technologies.

In different sectors, his concepts do not align with the primary goals of the current administration. Should he progress to the third phase of the leadership path, Mr. Starmer might view Mr. Blair's opinions as initially inconvenient yet ultimately beneficial.

He should heed the counsel of his predecessor to "allow room for a bit of joy or humor" until that time.

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