Following Keir Starmer's resounding election win, former Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair has made a notable entry into British political discourse.
Blair urged Starmer to implement a "plan to control immigration" as a strategic move to address potential challenges from the anti-immigration Reform UK Party, which Blair believes threatens not only the Conservative Party but Labour as well.
Starmer, who is on his second full day as Prime Minister and is currently visiting Scotland, has been advised by Blair to consider the political landscape shaped by the Reform UK Party. Led by Nigel Farage, a prominent Brexit advocate, the party split the right-wing vote during the election, securing five seats in the Westminster parliament and 14 percent of the vote. Farage has warned that Reform UK will now target Labour voters.
In a Sunday Times article titled "My advice to Keir Starmer," Blair highlighted the global trend of traditional political parties facing disruption. He pointed to examples in France and Italy where new political entrants are significantly impacting the political scene. Blair emphasized the need for immigration control to prevent the rise of prejudices, advocating for the adoption of digital ID technology as a solution to managing irregular immigration.
Blair also advised Starmer on several other fronts, including law enforcement and social issues. He called for a "tough new approach to law and order" to keep pace with rapidly modernizing criminal elements. Additionally, Blair warned against being perceived as overly politically correct, suggesting that the government should steer clear of policies that might be viewed as excessively "woke."
Blair's advice is framed within the context of harnessing artificial intelligence and modern technology to address these challenges, reflecting his vision of a digitally adept governance strategy. His insights come as Starmer begins to navigate his new role as Prime Minister.