‘The centre-ground is being squeezed out’ Tony Blair hints at COMEBACK to British politics

The former prime minister has ruled out standing as an MP, but reiterated that he wanted to take a more active role in front-line politics.

Speaking to Sky News, the former Labour leader said he thought it would be a “step too far” to think he could stand in the General Election on June 8. 

On the 20th anniversary of his New Labour win, Mr Blair discussed changing ideologies within the Labour Party.

The former prime minister rejected Adam Boulton’s claim that the Iraq War turned his party away from New Labour to Jeremy Corbyn, claiming it was “the wrong reading of history”.

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Tony Blair hinted he could make a return to front-line politics

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He said: “Some people left the Labour Party, that’s absolutely true but I don’t think it was the reason why we ended up deciding that New Labour was wrong.

“I think actually the reasons are far more to do with domestic politics and to do with the politics inside the Labour Party.”

The 63-year-old then suggested that he would return to the forefront of British politics, insisting it was nothing to do with money. 

He said: “I’m sure of one thing – that I want to take part in the debate.

I’m sure of one thing – that I want to take part in the debate

Tony Blair

“I’ve shut the business side and transferred all the money to the non-for-profit, which was always my intention by the way, and we’re creating this institute which as well as the work that I do in Africa, the Middle East is about co-existence between people of different faiths, it’ll focus particular on what are the policy solutions for today’s world.”

The former prime minister then highlighted a change in politics within the Labour Party. 

He added: “I think the problem for politics is the centre-ground being squeezed-out of politics, in this country particularly.

“It is a really bad thing for British politics, because the truth is the 21st Century is not about the old ideologies of left and right, it’s about values that sure are about opportunities for all and about social justice, but realise that in a world whose chief characteristic is change.”

Mr Blair rejected the suggestion that he was not supportive of the Labour Party, but admitted Theresa May was on course for a big victory. 

He finished: “I’m not telling people not to vote Labour, of course I want people to vote Labour. 

“If the polls are right, we know who’s going to be prime minister on 9 June. That’s not the issue.

“It’ll be Theresa May if the polls are right.”