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General election: Tony Blair says Tories and Labour both 'peddling fantasies' – live news General election: Tony Blair says Tories and Labour both 'peddling fantasies' – live news
(32 minutes later)
A day after Boris Johnson launched Tory manifesto, Labour leader will announce big shift in housing planA day after Boris Johnson launched Tory manifesto, Labour leader will announce big shift in housing plan
On a visit to Derbyshire this morning Jeremy Corbyn met a group of Waspi (Women Against State Pension Inequality) campaigners to promote the Labour plan to spend £58bn to compensate them. He told them:
Blair is wrapping up now.Blair is wrapping up now.
He says, whatever happens, Britain is a great country.He says, whatever happens, Britain is a great country.
He recalls a visit to an African country recently. The president told him he was sorry for what was happening in Britain.He recalls a visit to an African country recently. The president told him he was sorry for what was happening in Britain.
Q: Is it getting harder and harder to stay optimistic. What are the chances this will go your way?Q: Is it getting harder and harder to stay optimistic. What are the chances this will go your way?
Blair says he is naturally optimistic. But he is not sure he still is. He is worried, he says. Some days he thinks this problem will blow itself out. Other days he thinks the problems are really deep.Blair says he is naturally optimistic. But he is not sure he still is. He is worried, he says. Some days he thinks this problem will blow itself out. Other days he thinks the problems are really deep.
But we need to think deeply as a country, he says. He says he does not think the country can go on like this for long without “severe damage”.But we need to think deeply as a country, he says. He says he does not think the country can go on like this for long without “severe damage”.
People are less deferential, which is good. And they want a say, which is good. But people have to share responsibility.People are less deferential, which is good. And they want a say, which is good. But people have to share responsibility.
When this is over, “we’ve got to up the quality of political discourse”, he says.When this is over, “we’ve got to up the quality of political discourse”, he says.
He says what populism does is “ride the anger”.He says what populism does is “ride the anger”.
He says he is passionate about technology because he thinks that is an essential part of what a modern political agenda looks like.He says he is passionate about technology because he thinks that is an essential part of what a modern political agenda looks like.
And that’s it. The Q&A is over.And that’s it. The Q&A is over.
I’ll post a summary soon.I’ll post a summary soon.
Q: Where is Labour facing the most difficulties?Q: Where is Labour facing the most difficulties?
Blair says it is probably in the seats with electorates seen as working class.Blair says it is probably in the seats with electorates seen as working class.
He says his successor in Sedgefield is facing a tough election. But when he was MP there, the Labour vote was very solid. He says when he first used to canvas there in 1983, based on his experience in London, he would knock on doors and ask people if he could count on their vote for Labour. He says people used to be offended like that; they would think he was questioning their loyalty to Labour. He says his successor in Sedgefield is facing a tough election. But when he was MP there, the Labour vote was very solid. He says when he first used to canvass there in 1983, based on his experience in London, he would knock on doors and ask people if he could count on their vote for Labour. He says people used to be offended by that; they would think he was questioning their loyalty to Labour.
He says in some ways it is good that people are not as tribal as they used to be. But it has created problems for Labour, he says.He says in some ways it is good that people are not as tribal as they used to be. But it has created problems for Labour, he says.
Q: Is Jeremy Corbyn a fit and proper person to become prime minister?Q: Is Jeremy Corbyn a fit and proper person to become prime minister?
Blair says he will choose his words carefully. His differences with Corbyn are well documented, and his views have not changed. But he thinks there is a “pretty negligible” chance of Corbyn winning. Blair says he will choose his words carefully. His differences with Corbyn are well documented, and his views have not changed. But he thinks there is a “pretty negligible” chance of Corbyn winning a majority.
Q: You make a distinction between extremists and moderates. Where do the SNP fit in?Q: You make a distinction between extremists and moderates. Where do the SNP fit in?
Blair says he does not agree with the SNP on Scottish independence, but he does not see them as extremists. Blair says he does not agree with the Scottish National party on Scottish independence, but he does not see them as extremists.
Q: What are the prospects of a trade deal with the US?Q: What are the prospects of a trade deal with the US?
Blair says trade deals are like “reform”. Politicians always say they are in favour of both. But when it comes to the details, that is a different matter.Blair says trade deals are like “reform”. Politicians always say they are in favour of both. But when it comes to the details, that is a different matter.
He says anything happening in UK-US trade talks would impact on trade talks with the EU.He says anything happening in UK-US trade talks would impact on trade talks with the EU.
And he says, any trade deal would have to pass congress. He suggests he does not think that is likely. And he says, any trade deal would have to pass Congress. He suggests he does not think that is likely.
Blair is now taking questions from the audience.Blair is now taking questions from the audience.
Q: Do you think a government of national unity is still possible?Q: Do you think a government of national unity is still possible?
Yes, says Blair. He thinks that is a possibility.Yes, says Blair. He thinks that is a possibility.
Q: If the Tories get a majority, will you give up fighting Brexit?Q: If the Tories get a majority, will you give up fighting Brexit?
Blair says, if the Tories get a majority and the UK leaves on 31 January, we are going to have to make it work.Blair says, if the Tories get a majority and the UK leaves on 31 January, we are going to have to make it work.
But he says at that point there will still be an argument to be had about Britain’s relationship with Europe.But he says at that point there will still be an argument to be had about Britain’s relationship with Europe.
Blair says some in the Tory cabinet would support a WTO Brexit (ie, a no-deal Brexit, with the UK trading on World Trade Organisation terms). He says he does not think they understand what it would be like. He has spoken to the WTO about this, he sya. He says no serious person would advocate this for the UK. Blair says some in the Tory cabinet would support a WTO Brexit (ie, a no-deal Brexit, with the UK trading on World Trade Organisation terms). He says he does not think they understand what it would be like. He has spoken to the WTO about this, he says. He says no serious person would advocate this for the UK.
More from the Blair Q&A - from the Independent’s John Rentoul and HuffPost’s Paul WaughMore from the Blair Q&A - from the Independent’s John Rentoul and HuffPost’s Paul Waugh
Tony Blair is now taking questions from Alex Threlfall from Reuters.Tony Blair is now taking questions from Alex Threlfall from Reuters.
Blair said that he would be voting Labour at the election. He said the Lib Dem Chuka Umunna is a candidate in the constituency where he lives (Cities of London and Westminster). Blair said he understood why people might want to vote for Umunna, but he said his position as a former Labour leader meant that he was in a special position. He implied that he thought it was important for him to remain in the Labour party (he would be thrown out if he publicly backed a candidate for another party) because he wanted a say in what would happen to the party next.Blair said that he would be voting Labour at the election. He said the Lib Dem Chuka Umunna is a candidate in the constituency where he lives (Cities of London and Westminster). Blair said he understood why people might want to vote for Umunna, but he said his position as a former Labour leader meant that he was in a special position. He implied that he thought it was important for him to remain in the Labour party (he would be thrown out if he publicly backed a candidate for another party) because he wanted a say in what would happen to the party next.
Blair ended his speech by saying he expects the next parliament to agree to a second referendum at some point.Blair ended his speech by saying he expects the next parliament to agree to a second referendum at some point.
He also said he hoped that at some point in the future someone would rebuild “the sensible mainstream” in British politics.He also said he hoped that at some point in the future someone would rebuild “the sensible mainstream” in British politics.