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Tony Blair and David Cameron 'forging special relationship' Tony Blair denies he and Cameron are forging 'special relationship'
(about 1 hour later)
Tony Blair and David Cameron are forging a "special relationship" as they discuss a range of matters, including public service reform and coping with the challenges of being prime minister, according to reports. Tony Blair's office has scotched rumours that the former Labour prime minister has been busy advising David Cameron, following reports that he and the Conservative premier are forging a "special relationship" on a range of matters, including public service reform.
The former New Labour prime minister has visited Chequers and has spoken to the Conservative prime minister at least seven times since Cameron took office. Blair has visited Chequers and has spoken to the Conservative prime minister at least seven times since Cameron took office, according to the Daily Mail.
Blair visited Cameron's country residence last July, the same month as the phone-hacking scandal erupted, according to the Daily Mail. Talks between Cameron and Blair, who is special envoy for the Quartet on the Middle East (the UN, US, EU and Russia) is believed to have widened to include other subjects, such as public service reform and Whitehall. They are also believed to have discussed the euro crisis and the economy. Talks between Cameron and Blair, who is special envoy for the Quartet on the Middle East (the UN, US, EU and Russia) were reported to have widened to include other subjects, such as public service reform and Whitehall. They are also believed to have discussed the euro crisis and the economy.
A "senior source" told the Daily Mail that Blair, who served as premier for a decade before standing down two years into the Labour government's third term, has also been advising Cameron on how to cope with the gruelling task of bring prime minister. A "senior source" told the Daily Mail that Blair has also been advising Cameron on how to cope with the gruelling task of being prime minister. "They have a lot to talk about. It is quite a special relationship between one prime minister and another. Who else knows what you're going through? They ostensibly talk about the Middle East but when you've got him on the phone, it is natural to talk politics."
"They have a lot to talk about. It is quite a special relationship between one prime minister and another. Who else knows what you're going through? They ostensibly talk about the Middle East but when you've got him on the phone, it is natural to talk politics." But Blair's office swiftly dismissed claims that he was advising the Tory premier – a scenario likely to provoke anger among Labour party supporters – as being wide of the mark.
Cameron raised eyebrows in 2005 when he claimed he was the "heir to Blair". A spokesman for Blair said: "Of course from time to time he speaks to the PM, particularly in his role as Quartet representative, as he does with many world leaders. But he does not routinely advise the PM on domestic or other policy."
The Times has reported on Tuesday the strength of admiration for Blair that still exists in Downing Street. "His influence is very firmly felt. He's like the footballer Cristiano Ronaldo – gone but still greatly admired," a senior Tory told Times columnist Rachel Sylvester. The Times reported on Tuesday the admiration for Blair that still exists in Downing Street. Cameron raised eyebrows in 2005 when he claimed he was the "heir to Blair".
Blair has also talked with other senior ministers about public service as well as with Steve Hilton, Cameron's longstanding adviser who left earlier this month. A senior Tory told Times columnist Rachel Sylvester. "His influence is very firmly felt. He's like the footballer Cristiano Ronaldo – gone but still greatly admired."
Cameron's policy unit has also been consulting Matthew Taylor and Geoff Mulgan, two former heads of Blair's Downing Street policy unit, according to reports. The comment is likely to have infuriated those Conservative backbenchers who already feel Cameron spends too much time listening to the Liberal Democrats in coalition.
The reports are likely to infuriate party tribalists on both sides of the fence. Some Conservative backbenchers already feel Cameron spends too much time listening to the Liberal Democrats, without adding a former Labour premier to the mix, while Labour supporters are likely to feel angered at any impression that Blair is helping the opposition. A Downing Street spokesman said: "It's fair to say the prime minister has spoken to Tony Blair several times on foreign policy issues. It's not unusual for prime ministers to talk to former prime ministers, particularly ones with significant international roles."
A Downing Street spokesman said last night that he was unable to confirm the exact number of conversations. But he told the Daily Mail: "It's fair to say the prime minister has spoken to Tony Blair several times on foreign policy issues. It's not unusual for prime ministers to talk to former prime ministers, particularly ones with significant international roles." It has also emerged that Lord Adonis, the Labour peer who set up the schools academy programme and who is close to Blair, has visited Downing Street in the past few days. The peer, who accepted a job assisting Labour's policy review a fortnight ago, said his visit was to discuss high-speed rail, "a great cross-party project", and that he had urged Cameron to legislate for it as soon as possible.
Lord Adonis, the Labour peer who set up the schools academy programme and who is close to Blair, made an undisclosed visit to Downing Street in the past few days. The peer, who accepted a job assisting Labour's policy review a fortnight ago, said his visit was to discuss high-speed rail, "a great cross-party project" and he had urged Cameron to legislate for it as soon as possible.
Adonis described suggestions that No 10 may offer him a policy role as "pure mischief".Adonis described suggestions that No 10 may offer him a policy role as "pure mischief".
"I am on Labour's policy review and made it very clear when they last played this game before the last election that I wasn't moving." He said: "I am on Labour's policy review and made it very clear when they last played this game before the last election that I wasn't moving."