Should Labour heed Tony Blair?

Should Labour heed Tony Blair?

From Political Fix by Financial Times

May 29, 2026 · 39 min

About this episode

The episode discusses Tony Blair's critique of the Labour Party and the implications of far-right politics in the UK.

Tony Blair’s lengthy – and excoriating – 5,600-word essay on the future of the Labour Party and Britain has set Westminster alight this week. The former prime minister's critique has sparked a lively debate, and triggered robust responses from Labour leadership hopefuls Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting. But is Blair right in some of his criticism? Host Lucy Fisher unpacks the article with FT colleagues Robert Shrimsley, Anna Gross and Stephen Bush. They also examine Rupert Lowe, the personality behind the far-right party Restore Britain, and whether it can harm Reform UK by splitting the rightwing vote. Follow: Lucy @LOS_Fisher or @ lucyfisher.ft.com Want more?   Tony Blair criticises Labour’s Andy Burnham for leftwing ‘delusion’ Tony Blair ‘does not understand’ role of inequality in politics, Andy Burnham says Labour’s retreat from intellectual debate traps it in comfort zone Turning Neets into engineers Britain’s expanding ‘lost generation’ UK risks ‘lost generation’ without more jobs for young people  Nigel Farage loses viral touch to Musk-backed Rupert Lowe Senior Reform UK figures clash over immigration plans      You can also sign up here for Stephen…

People in this episode

Host: Lucy Fisher

Guests: Robert Shrimsley, Anna Gross, Stephen Bush

Topics covered

  • Labour Party
  • Tony Blair
  • political debate
  • far-right politics
  • UK politics

Keywords

  • Tony Blair
  • Labour Party
  • politics
  • Andy Burnham
  • far-right
  • Restore Britain
  • Reform UK

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Labour Party, Restore Britain, Reform UK

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