Tony Blair’s Unofficial Guidance: Navigating Leadership and Legacy in Conversations with Sir Keir Starmer

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

In his latest publication, Mr. Blair refutes claims that he assisted the present prime minister with taking office, and it remains uncertain if his guidance is sought after by the new leadership at Downing Street.

Sky News analyst @adamboultonTABB

Sunday, September 8, 2024 at 1:

In the annals of UK political history, only four Labour leaders have achieved outright victories in general elections: Clement Attlee, Harold Wilson, Tony Blair, and now Sir Keir Starmer. Among them, only Tony Blair and Sir Keir Starmer are living.

Tony Blair has confirmed that he often communicates with his successor. Despite claims that he's been sending texts to Mr. Starmer with advice on transitioning into government, Mr. Blair clarifies that their conversations are general discussions rather than him providing direct counsel.

He's right about that. In his latest book, On Leadership, spanning 328 pages, the ex-prime minister notes: "It's crucial for a leader to foster a sense of hope. Nobody prefers to board a flight with a downcast pilot. People expect the one at the helm to appear as though they have reasons to look forward to tomorrow. They should radiate assurance rather than worry."

The present prime minister is clearly ignoring that, as evidenced by his "things can only get worse…" motivational speech to the country.

The new government has not yet detailed the "…before they get better" aspect of their message. Mr. Starmer's hopeful outlook appears limited to addressing what he claims are the harms inflicted by the Tories.

Observers will naturally compare the recent remarks from the previous Labour prime minister with the initial actions taken by the new Labour government in its early months.

Mr. Blair's concepts extend beyond the UK, yet he recognizes that his talk of government "missions" and the decade needed to transform a nation mirrors the rhetoric of Mr. Starmer.

Further Insight on Labour

Labour is comfortable with its current unpopularity

Enrollment in pension credit surges as it becomes mandatory for receiving winter fuel allowance

The Home Secretary will lead a meeting focused on tackling smuggling networks, prompted by recent fatalities in

Associated Subjects:

Tony Blair's recent return to public discourse marks a major milestone in his efforts toward political revival.

"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. He remains energetic and eager to contribute his ideas to the public discourse.

Mr. Blair confesses, "I would have remained if it were possible," adding that "nothing makes me long to be back in 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 any direct threats to his leadership. Mr. Blair has made it clear that he is not attempting to come back into power.

He claims that he is simply sharing his insights on authority, based on his ten years at Number 10 and his subsequent 18 years spent consulting with 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.

For an enhanced video experience, it's recommended to utilize the Chrome browser.

An outcast among his own political allies

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

At his own residence, he became somewhat invisible for a period of time. Until recently, he struggled to even stroll through his neighborhood, worried that someone might try to detain him over supposed war crimes committed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Under Jeremy Corbyn's leadership, he was ostracized within his own party, often mocked on signs as 'Tony B liar'. Blair once contemplated in a press interview the idea of relocating permanently to the US.

For an enhanced video experience, it's recommended to use the Chrome browser.

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 necessity for clarity and coherence is overlooked."

He has also acknowledged that both the UK and the US failed to fully consider or effectively address the repercussions of their actions in the Middle East.

The military action in Iraq took place in 2003, and it has been 18 years since Tony Blair retired from frontline politics. He released an autobiography titled "Tony Blair: A Journey" in 2010, and generously gave all the earnings, which amounted to over £5 million, to a charity supporting wounded military personnel.

His latest initiatives aim to derive general insights for the future from his past experiences instead of reflecting on them merely to defend his previous actions.

Following a successful career as a sought-after international speaker, he has dedicated the last seven years to his nonprofit organization, the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, on a voluntary basis.

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

The book does not include any references to Mr. Starmer. Gordon Brown, who ultimately ousted Blair, is only ambiguously mentioned once under a chapter titled Avoid Paranoia.

In his memoir, Blair casually notes, "[Brown] was an essential part of the governmental apparatus and harbored ambitions to replace me, preferably sooner rather than later. Naturally, my supporters were not fond of that idea. I would often remark, 'he has every right to aspire to the position.'"

The Evolution of Leadership: A Three-Phase Journey

Tony Blair believes that the progression of leaders involves three distinct phases, applicable universally across all nations and types of governance.

Initially, they embrace listening and learning as they come into power. Next, they fall into the trap of believing they have all the answers. Ultimately, they reach maturity, recognizing their limitations and becoming open once again to listening and learning.

👉 Tap here to subscribe to Electoral Dysfunction on your preferred podcast platform 👈

Not all leaders achieve that "profound moment of understanding," yet Mr. Blair feels he has reached it and aims to assist other leaders in getting there more swiftly.

The phrase "What matters is what works" became widely recognized during the New Labour era. In his book, Mr. Blair advocates for the importance of leadership accountability, the assembly of top-notch teams, and the need for swift and firm decision-making. He emphasizes the necessity for leaders to ensure they provide both service and security to their citizens, adding a provocative note with "democracy or not."

Mr. Blair's practical approach and seeming indifference to the methods leaders use to attain their high statuses recall Machiavelli's guide for rulers, The Prince, though devoid of its malice. However, Mr. Blair advises against creating adversaries, promotes forgiveness, and recommends ignoring negative criticism.

He tends to dodge the details, yet some of his remarks on present matters in this new campaign are likely to stir controversy.

The world would manage a second Trump presidency.

He is of the opinion that the world could handle a second term under Donald Trump, and possibly reflecting on the impeachment of his friend Bill Clinton, he expresses caution about using the justice system for political purposes. He advocates for the application of the law equally to leaders and citizens, but he also sees value in using discretion to determine when legal action is genuinely needed.

He laments that the governments that followed him in the UK have not maintained the key global partnerships he established, which positioned Britain as America's closest ally, a central player in European affairs, and a leading advocate for the development of less affluent nations.

He argues that Brexit has led to a shift from predominantly 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 have to offer.

Stay informed with the most recent updates from the UK and international news by tuning into Sky News.

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

Read further: The era of Cool Britannia during Tony Blair's tenure. Tony Blair's strategies for reducing immigration. Starmer offers profound apologies for the shortcomings in handling the Grenfell tragedy.

Mr. Blair shares a profound sense of awe and enthusiasm for the opportunities that major technology companies and their founders, like Elon Musk, bring to the table.

He details numerous real-world technological initiatives currently being implemented by governments worldwide. With the advent of AI, he believes these will transform the role of government and emphasizes the need to comprehend this revolution and embrace optimal practices.

Stay ahead with the latest breaking news updates.

Download the Sky News application at no cost

Mr. Blair is more open than the Starmer administration in his enthusiastic support for emerging technologies.

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

Until that time, he should consider his predecessor's suggestion to "allow room for a bit of joy or humor."

Associated Subjects

Sky News Bottom Section

Information About Sky News

Services Offered by Sky News

Sky Network Channels

Additional Sky Websites