TONY Blair is planning a dramatic return to frontline UK politics to “fill a hole” in the Brexit debate with his own think-tank, aided by Jim Murphy, the former Scottish Labour leader and Europe Minister, it has emerged.
Following the referendum vote to leave the European Union, the former Prime Minister made his alarm public and hinted at the time that he might, in some form or another, return to the cut and thrust of domestic politics; ruling out, however, any attempt at a return to elected office.
Recently, Mr Blair has spoken about how voters need to have another say on the Brexit package, possibly in a second EU referendum, and called on those who backed the Remain campaign to become the “new insurgents”.
It is suggested the former Labour leader is intent on establishing an institute close to Whitehall and has already held talks with senior UK Government ministers and officials. He is due soon to have talks with Prime Minister Theresa May.
Mr Murphy in April was named as the new chairman of business publisher, Global Professional Publishing; its offices are based in London’s West End.
Mr Blair is said to have recruited the Scot to help him combine his charitable and commercial enterprises, which employ some 130 people, under a single brand with a London HQ in an attempt to influence the Brexit negotiations.
A spokesman for the former PM said: “He will make a proper announcement around all of this in the New Year. I can also confirm Jim Murphy is working for the organisation.”
One source close to Mr Blair claimed: “He’s not impressed with Theresa May; he thinks she’s a total lightweight. He thinks Jeremy Corbyn is a nutter and the Tories are screwing up Brexit. He thinks there’s a massive hole in British politics that he can fill.”
A Whitehall source confirmed the former Labour leader had held meetings with the former Chancellor George Osborne, noting: “Tony and George have been speaking and meeting and have had lots of conversations about the post-Brexit political climate.”
But one ministerial aide warned that the former premier would be “shooting his side in the foot because he’s toxic”.
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