Labour figures accuse former PM of ignoring inequality in his essay criticizing the current government's direction and policies.
9:40 PM
Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting have criticized former Prime Minister Tony Blair's assessment of the Labour government, saying his lengthy essay fails to address inequality as a central political challenge.
Blair published a 5,600-word critique of Labour's record under Keir Starmer, arguing the government lacks "a coherent plan" for the country and has introduced policies that have held back business. He called on Labour to embrace the "radical centre" rather than move left, and urged the party to crack down on welfare spending, abandon restrictions on oil and gas production, and improve relations with Donald Trump.
Burnham, who is widely expected to challenge Starmer for the Labour leadership if he wins a by-election in Makerfield next month, told the Observer that Blair "doesn't mention inequality once" in his critique. "If you don't get how that's driving politics now, if you are not rooting your analysis in the fact that people are unable to live and that things that were taken for granted are no longer accessible, then you don't understand what's going on," Burnham said.
Streeting also characterized Blair's essay as having a "striking weakness" in failing to engage with inequality. Both figures are among senior party members who have responded to Blair's criticism, which also targeted policy proposals from Burnham and Streeting themselves.
The exchange comes as Burnham prepares for the Makerfield by-election scheduled for next month, a contest that could position him as a challenger to Starmer's leadership within the party.
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