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Blair in 'left-wing' warning to Miliband's Labour Tony Blair says Labour 'left-wing' warning 'misinterpreted'
(35 minutes later)
Tony Blair has suggested Labour under Ed Miliband may risk being too left-wing to win the general election. Tony Blair has insisted he is fully behind Ed Miliband despite appearing to suggest Labour risks being too left-wing to win the general election.
The former prime minister said he believed the party "succeeds best when it is in the centre ground." The former prime minister told the Economist May's poll could become one "in which a traditional left-wing party competes with a traditional right-wing party, with the traditional result".
But 2015's election could be one "in which a traditional left-wing party competes with a traditional right-wing party, with the traditional result", he told the Economist.
Asked if he meant a Conservative win, Mr Blair replied: "Yes."Asked if he meant a Conservative win, Mr Blair replied: "Yes."
But Mr Miliband has insisted that Labour can win in 2015, telling activists in his new year message that "we have the power to bring about the change working families all over Britain need". He later said he expected a Labour victory and had been "misinterpreted".
Mr Blair, the last Labour leader to win a UK general election, stressed the importance of "not alienating large parts of business, for one thing". Mr Miliband has maintained that Labour can regain power in 2015, telling activists in his new year message that "we have the power to bring about the change working families all over Britain need".
But Mr Blair, the last Labour leader to win a UK general election in 2005, told the Economist that he was "convinced the Labour Party succeeds best when it is in the centre ground".
'Centre ground''Centre ground'
He told the magazine: "I am still very much New Labour and Ed would not describe himself in that way, so there is obviously a difference there. Stressing the importance of Labour "not alienating large parts of business, for one thing", he added: "I am still very much New Labour and Ed would not describe himself in that way, so there is obviously a difference there."
"I am convinced the Labour Party succeeds best when it is in the centre ground."
BBC political correspondent Ross Hawkins said the comments "appear to make clearer than ever the gap between Mr Miliband and Mr Blair".BBC political correspondent Ross Hawkins said the comments "appear to make clearer than ever the gap between Mr Miliband and Mr Blair".
Mr Blair won three consecutive elections for Labour after modernising the party, before standing down to be replaced by Gordon Brown.Mr Blair won three consecutive elections for Labour after modernising the party, before standing down to be replaced by Gordon Brown.
He also questioned Mr Miliband's claim that the financial crash in 2007/8 and subsequent economic problems had shifted the UK's political centre ground towards the left.He also questioned Mr Miliband's claim that the financial crash in 2007/8 and subsequent economic problems had shifted the UK's political centre ground towards the left.
"I see no evidence for that," Mr Blair said. "You could argue that it has moved to the right, not left.""I see no evidence for that," Mr Blair said. "You could argue that it has moved to the right, not left."
Mr Blair subsequently issued a short statement on Twitter: "My remarks have been mis-interpreted, I fully support Ed and my party and expect a Labour victory in the election."
'Concrete plan''Concrete plan'
Following newspaper reports in October alleging Mr Blair doubted Labour's chances of victory, the former prime minister insisted that Ed Miliband "can and will win the next election".Following newspaper reports in October alleging Mr Blair doubted Labour's chances of victory, the former prime minister insisted that Ed Miliband "can and will win the next election".
Mr Miliband has in recent months committed his party to freezing energy prices, reinstating the 50p top rate of income tax and introducing a levy on properties worth more than £2m dubbed the "mansion tax".Mr Miliband has in recent months committed his party to freezing energy prices, reinstating the 50p top rate of income tax and introducing a levy on properties worth more than £2m dubbed the "mansion tax".
In his traditional end-of-year message, the Labour leader said his party would reveal further plans to raise wages, establish "fair rules for immigration" and "rescue our NHS" in the run-up to the 7 May poll.In his traditional end-of-year message, the Labour leader said his party would reveal further plans to raise wages, establish "fair rules for immigration" and "rescue our NHS" in the run-up to the 7 May poll.
Although warning that change would not be "easy or instant", he said a future Labour government could "build a country that works for everyday people".Although warning that change would not be "easy or instant", he said a future Labour government could "build a country that works for everyday people".
"This isn't about idle dreams or empty promises," he said. "It's about a real, concrete plan: a plan for a recovery which reaches your kitchen table.""This isn't about idle dreams or empty promises," he said. "It's about a real, concrete plan: a plan for a recovery which reaches your kitchen table."