Tony Blair announces return because of the harm it would cause the country

[muriel_volestrangler]

Tony Blair has said he plans to become more involved in the debate surrounding Britain’s departure from the European Union because of the harm it would cause the country.

The former prime minister said he would be “getting out more and reconnecting with voters” because of his worries about the economic damage incurred by leaving the single market, and warned that there were some Conservative politicians who wanted to deliver Brexit at any cost.

He said he would not be standing for a parliamentary seat or giving up work with his charitable foundation, but would try to influence the policy debate shaping the government’s exit negotiations.

The 63-year-old, who was speaking on the 20th anniversary of his landslide win over John Major at the general election in 1997, told the Daily Mirror: “I am going to be taking an active part in trying to shape the policy debate and that means getting out into the country and reconnecting … This Brexit thing has given me a direct motivation to get more involved in politics. You need to get your hands dirty, and I will.”

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/may/01/tony-blair-announces-return-in-bid-to-influence-brexit-debate

Oh Tony, you never got your hands clean, and you never will. Ask Lady Macbeth. It's having people like Blair on the remain side that can make you rethink your support for it.

[OnDoutside]

1. Exactly, Blair is damaged goods, and will only entrench

People. He sold his soul to Bush.

[PoliticAverse]

2. He's planning to become more involved to harm the country? n/t

[LeftishBrit]

3. A bad idea

Anyone would be influenced to oppose Brexit because of Blair probably opposes Brexit anyway; and he might put off some waverers.

[Doodley]

4. Is this the same Tony Blair who promised a referendum, but never delivered?

[Denzil_DC]

5. Given the polling evidence that interventions by high-profile politicians ("the Establishment")

during the referendum had a net negative effect on whichever side of the Leave/Remain divide they championed, I'd rather he kept his trap shut.

As I said last autumn when he reappeared to take up this debate, "right message, wrong messenger".