This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2019/dec/18/labour-leadership-election-tony-blair-starmer-urges-labour-to-ditch-not-just-corbyn-by-corbynism-in-speech-on-partys-defeat-live-news

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Blair urges Labour to abandon 'fantasy island' and ditch Corbynism - live news Blair urges Labour to abandon 'fantasy island' and ditch Corbynism - live news
(about 1 hour later)
Rolling coverage of the day’s political developments as they happen, including Tony Blair’s speech on the lessons from Labour’s defeat.Rolling coverage of the day’s political developments as they happen, including Tony Blair’s speech on the lessons from Labour’s defeat.
This is what political journalists and commentators are saying about what has effectively been the soft launch of his leadership campaign, with his Guardian interview yesterday and his Today interview this morning. He is certainly not winning universal approval.
From my colleague Rafael Behr
From the New Statesman’s Jason Cowley
Cowley is editor of the New Statesman, but his staff are quite happy to take a different view.
From the New Statesman’s George Eaton
From the New Statesman’s Stephen Bush
From the Daily Mirror’s Jason Beattie
From the Daily Mirror’s Pippa Crerar
From Sky’s Lewis Goodall
From the i’s Jane Merrick
From the Mail on Sunday’s Dan Hodges
I will post more from the Blair speech, Q&A and report soon, but first here is a summary of the main points Sir Keir Starmer, the shadow Brexit secretary and a Labour leadership candidate, was making in his interview on the Today programme.
Starmer implicitly criticised the Labour leadership for sidelining him during the election campaign. He acknowledged that Brexit was an issue in the election, but he said Labour’s problem was that it did not challenge Boris Johnson’s claim he would “get Brexit done”. Starmer said:
Asked why he did not get the chance, he replied:
He repeated and expanded on the point he made in his Guardian interview about thinking it would be a mistake for Labour to “over-steer” in response to its defeat. He said:
He said that Labour needed to “build on” the radicalism introduced into the party by Jeremy Corbyn. He said:
But when it was put to Starmer that he seemed to be proposing “Corbynism without Corbyn”, he rejected that suggestion. He said:
He suggested he did not want to be associated with any previous leader. When it was put to him that he was sounding more leftwing than usual to appeal to party members, he replied:
That sounded like a declaration that he did not want to be seen either as a Corbynite or a Blairite (or a Brownite or a Milibandite, I suppose, although it is the first two who tend to frame the debate in the party at the moment.)
Starmer said there was “too much” in the manifesto. He said:
He said Corbyn led the party into the election carrying too much “baggage”. He said:
In his Guardian interview, and again on Today, Starmer sounded reluctant to criticise Corbyn personally. This was one of the few moments where he came close, although “baggage” did sound euphemistic.
He said there was no point in Labour just blaming the media for its election defeat. He said:
He stressed that he came from a working class background. He said:
He said that a lot of people wanted him to stand for the leadership, and that he was “seriously considering” standing, but that he would talk to colleagues before he announced his decision.
Q: Many people in Labour are saying the new leader must be a woman, and someone from outside London. Do you agree? Or should it be the best person for the job?Q: Many people in Labour are saying the new leader must be a woman, and someone from outside London. Do you agree? Or should it be the best person for the job?
Blair says it should be the best person for the job.Blair says it should be the best person for the job.
He says it would be great to have a woman as leader.He says it would be great to have a woman as leader.
But it should be the best person for the job. There is no point having a woman, or someone from outside London, if they are in the wrong space politically.But it should be the best person for the job. There is no point having a woman, or someone from outside London, if they are in the wrong space politically.
He says it does not matter if someone is from London or not if their politics is right. “Believe me, the country is not going to care?”He says it does not matter if someone is from London or not if their politics is right. “Believe me, the country is not going to care?”
People says the public does not want someone who went to public school. But who is prime minister now?People says the public does not want someone who went to public school. But who is prime minister now?
Blair also says the Labour party should never be anti-intellectual. It has had great intellectuals in the past. Good intellectuals give you good ideas, he says.Blair also says the Labour party should never be anti-intellectual. It has had great intellectuals in the past. Good intellectuals give you good ideas, he says.
He recalls giving conference speeches as leader. The first draft of the speech would always contain lots of policy. But then advisers told him to take it out, because it was boring. He would say policy matter. His advisers said they agreed; but they told him just not to put it in the speech.He recalls giving conference speeches as leader. The first draft of the speech would always contain lots of policy. But then advisers told him to take it out, because it was boring. He would say policy matter. His advisers said they agreed; but they told him just not to put it in the speech.
Blair says he has not persuaded people yet about the importance of the technology revolution. The mission of modern social democracy is to spread its benefits fairly.Blair says he has not persuaded people yet about the importance of the technology revolution. The mission of modern social democracy is to spread its benefits fairly.
It does not really matter whether someone is London or not London, he says.It does not really matter whether someone is London or not London, he says.
And that’s it. The Q&A is over.And that’s it. The Q&A is over.
Q: What is your message to leadership candidates? Are you saying it is better to say the right thing, and lose?Q: What is your message to leadership candidates? Are you saying it is better to say the right thing, and lose?
Blair says he is cautious about this. In the Tony Blair Institute, they take a view that they must give practical advise when they are advising leaders around the world. There is no point giving advice that will be rejected.Blair says he is cautious about this. In the Tony Blair Institute, they take a view that they must give practical advise when they are advising leaders around the world. There is no point giving advice that will be rejected.
He says he accepts the leadership candidates won’t be able to be as blunt as he is being now.He says he accepts the leadership candidates won’t be able to be as blunt as he is being now.
But what they say must pass the “minimum bar of credibility”, otherwise members of the public will not listen to them afterwards.But what they say must pass the “minimum bar of credibility”, otherwise members of the public will not listen to them afterwards.
He says the election defeat should provide a moment of clarity. People must not forget this, he says.He says the election defeat should provide a moment of clarity. People must not forget this, he says.
Q: Are you hoping a mass influx of people will sign up as registered supporters to vote in the leadership contest? And doesn’t the experience of the Independent Group for Change show that replacing Labour is very difficult?Q: Are you hoping a mass influx of people will sign up as registered supporters to vote in the leadership contest? And doesn’t the experience of the Independent Group for Change show that replacing Labour is very difficult?
Blair says he hopes people do join Labour. But the Labour membership has changed. In 2010 David Miliband won a majority of party members. That has changed.Blair says he hopes people do join Labour. But the Labour membership has changed. In 2010 David Miliband won a majority of party members. That has changed.
He says his job is just to speak about reality.He says his job is just to speak about reality.
On the prospect of Labour being replaced, Blair says after 1983, if Neil Kinnock had not started changing the party, he thinks it would have been replaced.On the prospect of Labour being replaced, Blair says after 1983, if Neil Kinnock had not started changing the party, he thinks it would have been replaced.
He says some people who did vote Labour this time were voting for the part despite what they felt about it, not because of what they felt about it.He says some people who did vote Labour this time were voting for the part despite what they felt about it, not because of what they felt about it.
He says Labour was unable to build a coalition on Brexit this year because its leadership was seen as sectarian.He says Labour was unable to build a coalition on Brexit this year because its leadership was seen as sectarian.
Q: Do you think leadership candidates should accept the Brexit outcome? And do you accept there is a danger that, if you abandon Corbynism, the young people attracted to the party will walk away?Q: Do you think leadership candidates should accept the Brexit outcome? And do you accept there is a danger that, if you abandon Corbynism, the young people attracted to the party will walk away?
Blair says it was a mistake holding a Brexit election. The Lib Dems were partly to blame. But the remain camp has lost. We now have to make Brexit work, he says.Blair says it was a mistake holding a Brexit election. The Lib Dems were partly to blame. But the remain camp has lost. We now have to make Brexit work, he says.
He says the issue for the party is whether it will be willing to return to the mainstream of social democratic thinking.He says the issue for the party is whether it will be willing to return to the mainstream of social democratic thinking.
He says in 1983 it was also the case that individual manifesto policies were popular.He says in 1983 it was also the case that individual manifesto policies were popular.
You might assume that, of policies poll well individually, they will succeed collectively.You might assume that, of policies poll well individually, they will succeed collectively.
But Blair says if you had tried to implement the whole manifesto, there would have been chaos. People understood that. So it is wrong to say the manifesto was popular. If it were popular, people would have voted for it, he says.But Blair says if you had tried to implement the whole manifesto, there would have been chaos. People understood that. So it is wrong to say the manifesto was popular. If it were popular, people would have voted for it, he says.
He says “the Labour party’s ability to delude itself about where people really are” has been a constant factor in the party’s election defeat.He says “the Labour party’s ability to delude itself about where people really are” has been a constant factor in the party’s election defeat.
Blair says he accepts that young people are enthused by the idea of radical change. But Labour’s share of the vote amongst young people dropped in 2019.Blair says he accepts that young people are enthused by the idea of radical change. But Labour’s share of the vote amongst young people dropped in 2019.
They are less enthused by this idea now.They are less enthused by this idea now.
If you put forward a radical manifesto for change which is practical, young people will be enthused. They were enthused in 1997, he says.If you put forward a radical manifesto for change which is practical, young people will be enthused. They were enthused in 1997, he says.
Blair is now taking questions from journalists. (The previous questions were from Hazarika).Blair is now taking questions from journalists. (The previous questions were from Hazarika).
Q: What sort of person do you want to see leading the Labour party?Q: What sort of person do you want to see leading the Labour party?
Blair says it must be someone who recognises the scale of the defeat.Blair says it must be someone who recognises the scale of the defeat.
He says this is unlike any election defeat Labour has ever has.He says this is unlike any election defeat Labour has ever has.
The party has never been taken over by the far left before, he says.The party has never been taken over by the far left before, he says.
Now it has to “re-engineer social democratic politics”.Now it has to “re-engineer social democratic politics”.
If Labour cannot do that, then people will look to another party, he suggests.If Labour cannot do that, then people will look to another party, he suggests.
Q: Who would you like to see as next Labour leader?Q: Who would you like to see as next Labour leader?
Blair says it would be sensible not to answer that question.Blair says it would be sensible not to answer that question.
Q: Are there any candidates up to the challenge?Q: Are there any candidates up to the challenge?
Blair says that is another way of asking the same thing.Blair says that is another way of asking the same thing.
But he says the public will be looking at what happens. And the party has to show it is changing. If there is any sense that “we are ignoring the message [the public] has given us, it doesn’t matter who leads the Labour party - we just won’t win again.”But he says the public will be looking at what happens. And the party has to show it is changing. If there is any sense that “we are ignoring the message [the public] has given us, it doesn’t matter who leads the Labour party - we just won’t win again.”
He says the “minimal threshold for credibility” is an acknowledgement that Labour has been in the wrong place, and needs to change.He says the “minimal threshold for credibility” is an acknowledgement that Labour has been in the wrong place, and needs to change.
He says there is no point any candidate winning the leadership without accepting this, because they won’t win an election if they haven’t absorbed this lesson.He says there is no point any candidate winning the leadership without accepting this, because they won’t win an election if they haven’t absorbed this lesson.
Tony Blair is now taking questions after his speech. He is being interviewed by Ayesha Hazarika, a former Labour aide who is now a journalist and comedian, before taking questions from journalists.Tony Blair is now taking questions after his speech. He is being interviewed by Ayesha Hazarika, a former Labour aide who is now a journalist and comedian, before taking questions from journalists.
Blair says the problems facing Britain in the 21st century require an activist state. That should be an advantage for Labour, he says, because the party believes in an activist state.Blair says the problems facing Britain in the 21st century require an activist state. That should be an advantage for Labour, he says, because the party believes in an activist state.
He says he came into the Commons after the 1983 defeat. There were some similarities then with now; it was clear that the leader, a decent man, needed to go.He says he came into the Commons after the 1983 defeat. There were some similarities then with now; it was clear that the leader, a decent man, needed to go.
But 1983 was also different. In 1983 Michael Foot was trying to get rid of Militant. Now the far left has taken over the party, he says.But 1983 was also different. In 1983 Michael Foot was trying to get rid of Militant. Now the far left has taken over the party, he says.
He says “this far left grouping” is not interested in compromise. They want to take over the party, he says. He says in the months ahead of the election they were trying to deselect sensible candidates, and replace them with far left candidates.He says “this far left grouping” is not interested in compromise. They want to take over the party, he says. He says in the months ahead of the election they were trying to deselect sensible candidates, and replace them with far left candidates.
Here is another extract from the Tony Blair’s speech.Here is another extract from the Tony Blair’s speech.
Good morning. Sir Keir Starmer, the shadow Brexit secretary, has effectively set out his opening pitch for the Labour leadership in an interview with the Guardian. He has not yet confirmed that he will stand, but it is impossible to imagine that he won’t after reading what he says, which he fleshed out a few minutes ago in an interview on the Today programme. His Guardian interview is here.Good morning. Sir Keir Starmer, the shadow Brexit secretary, has effectively set out his opening pitch for the Labour leadership in an interview with the Guardian. He has not yet confirmed that he will stand, but it is impossible to imagine that he won’t after reading what he says, which he fleshed out a few minutes ago in an interview on the Today programme. His Guardian interview is here.
I will post more from his Today interview shortly. And Yvette Cooper, the former Labour minister and chair of the home affairs committee in the last parliament, has also been on the same programme this morning, confirming that she is considering standing for the leadership too.I will post more from his Today interview shortly. And Yvette Cooper, the former Labour minister and chair of the home affairs committee in the last parliament, has also been on the same programme this morning, confirming that she is considering standing for the leadership too.
And on the same theme, Tony Blair, the former Labour leader and the last person to win a general election for the party since 1974, has just given a speech on the election this morning. There is nothing more satisfying in life than being able to say ‘I told you so’, and so it is not surprising that he wants to have his say. His thinktank, the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, has also published an 18-page report on why Labour lost.And on the same theme, Tony Blair, the former Labour leader and the last person to win a general election for the party since 1974, has just given a speech on the election this morning. There is nothing more satisfying in life than being able to say ‘I told you so’, and so it is not surprising that he wants to have his say. His thinktank, the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, has also published an 18-page report on why Labour lost.
The report is here, the speech is here, and there is a live feed of the event here. I will cover the argument of the speech, and the report, in detail, but the key message is that this defeat was “seminal” and Labour must now ditch Corbynism. Here is an extract from the report.The report is here, the speech is here, and there is a live feed of the event here. I will cover the argument of the speech, and the report, in detail, but the key message is that this defeat was “seminal” and Labour must now ditch Corbynism. Here is an extract from the report.
And here is an extract from the speech.And here is an extract from the speech.
Here is the agenda for the day.Here is the agenda for the day.
8.30am: Tony Blair gives a speech on Labour’s election defeat.8.30am: Tony Blair gives a speech on Labour’s election defeat.
10am: Matt Hancock, the health secretary, gives a speech to the Policy Exchange thinktank.10am: Matt Hancock, the health secretary, gives a speech to the Policy Exchange thinktank.
As usual, I will be covering breaking political news as it happens, as well as bringing you the best reaction, comment and analysis from the web. We plan to publish a summary at the end of the day.As usual, I will be covering breaking political news as it happens, as well as bringing you the best reaction, comment and analysis from the web. We plan to publish a summary at the end of the day.
You can read all the latest Guardian politics articles here. Here is the Politico Europe roundup of this morning’s political news. And here is the PoliticsHome list of today’s top 10 must-reads.You can read all the latest Guardian politics articles here. Here is the Politico Europe roundup of this morning’s political news. And here is the PoliticsHome list of today’s top 10 must-reads.
If you want to follow me or contact me on Twitter, I’m on @AndrewSparrow.If you want to follow me or contact me on Twitter, I’m on @AndrewSparrow.
I try to monitor the comments below the line (BTL) but it is impossible to read them all. If you have a direct question, do include “Andrew” in it somewhere and I’m more likely to find it. I do try to answer questions, and if they are of general interest, I will post the question and reply above the line (ATL), although I can’t promise to do this for everyone.I try to monitor the comments below the line (BTL) but it is impossible to read them all. If you have a direct question, do include “Andrew” in it somewhere and I’m more likely to find it. I do try to answer questions, and if they are of general interest, I will post the question and reply above the line (ATL), although I can’t promise to do this for everyone.
If you want to attract my attention quickly, it is probably better to use Twitter.If you want to attract my attention quickly, it is probably better to use Twitter.