Will Tony Blair try to take Labour back from Jeremy Corbyn?
AFTER Labour’s crushing defeat in the Copeland by-election, many supporters are wondering whether Tony Blair will try to take the party back from Jeremy Corbyn.
Blair: People voted without knowledge of terms of Brexit
Labour lost the Copeland constituency to the Conservatives for the first time in over 80 years during the by-election in Cumbria yesterday.
The Conservatives won with a swing of seven per cent, an unprecedented result for a governing party.
On the same night Labour managed to defend its Stoke-on-Trent seat from Ukip, however that victory has been all but overshadowed by Copeland.
John Woodcock, Labour MP for the neighbouring Barrow and Furness constituency, has called the result a “disaster” for the party.
Speaking on Radio 4’s Today programme, he predicted that the party is on course for a “historic and catastrophic defeat” in the next general election.
Mr Woodcock’s comments echo calls from many Labour supporters for Jeremy Corbyn to step down as party leader.
But if Mr Corbyn does quit, could Tony Blair replace him as Labour leader?
The debilitation of the Labour party is the facilitator of Brexit
Mr Blair has launched a political comeback in recent weeks, and has announced the creation of a new anti-Brexit policy institute.
Just a week before the Copeland by-election, Mr Blair delivered a scathing speech during which he accused the “debilitated” Labour party of allowing Brexit to happen.
“The debilitation of the Labour party is the facilitator of Brexit. I hate to say that, but it is true,” he said.
“What this means is that we have to build a movement which stretches across party lines, and devise new ways of communication.”
The former Prime Minister has faced a backlash from Labour MPs loyal to Mr Corbyn over his comments.
John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor and one of Mr Corbyn’s key allies, has suggested that Mr Blair’s comments contributed to the Copeland result.
He told ITV: “What’s interesting is that the overwhelming number of members of the party, the majority of the party, are saying ‘unite’.
“And we can’t have a situation like we did last week when Tony Blair comes out and attacks his own party, Peter Mandelson as well.
“So we are saying to those people ‘unite’ because people will then see the real Labour party campaigning. And we will win back places like Copeland.”
John Mcdonnell snaps during grilling about Copeland defeat
Mr Corbyn has admitted that there are “nuanced differences of opinion” between himself and his predecessor, and has admitted: "I don’t see Tony Blair and I working together. I don’t think he does either.”
For his part, Mr Blair has ruled out a return to elected politics.
Speaking about his new institute, he said: “This is not about my returning to the front line of politics. I have made it abundantly clear that this is not possible.
“However, I care about my country and the world my children and grandchildren will grow up in; and want to play at least a small part in contributing to the debate about the future of both.”