British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has defended his government against criticism from former Labour leader Tony Blair, insisting his administration has made the right policy decisions to steady
Britain after years of political and economic turbulence.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Starmer rejected Blair’s suggestion that Labour had failed to respond effectively to mounting political challenges and declining public support. While welcoming debate within the party, the prime minister said the government’s record should be judged against the difficult circumstances it inherited after taking power in 2024.
“I don’t agree that the policy choices of this government weren’t the right policy choices, given what we inherited,” Starmer said.
Blair, Labour’s longest-serving prime minister, reignited tensions within the party earlier this week with a lengthy essay urging Labour figures to focus less on personalities and more on delivering stronger policy solutions. The former premier, who led Labour to three consecutive election victories between 1997 and 2007, also criticised what he described as reactive politics as the party struggles with falling popularity.
Starmer argued that comparisons between his government and Blair’s era overlooked the vastly different challenges facing Britain today.
“It’s a very different situation in 2024 to 1997,” he said, adding that his government’s decisions had already delivered results.
The prime minister pointed to improving relations with the European Union, efforts to stabilise the economy and shorter waiting times in the National Health Service as evidence that Labour’s strategy was beginning to work. He also reiterated that he had no intention of stepping down despite increasing criticism from within his own party.
Blair’s intervention has failed to calm divisions inside Labour. Two figures widely viewed as potential future leadership contenders — Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and former health minister Wes Streeting — both distanced themselves from Blair’s assessment.
The pair argued that Blair underestimated the impact of widening inequality on British politics, particularly the growing appeal of the populist Reform UK party and the left-wing Green Party among disillusioned voters.
Starmer has faced mounting pressure since Labour suffered heavy setbacks in local elections and devolved assembly votes in Scotland and Wales earlier this month. The losses triggered renewed questions over his leadership, with dozens of Labour lawmakers reportedly urging him to step aside.
Despite the backlash, Starmer has vowed to remain in office and deliver the “change” he promised voters after Labour’s landslide election victory in 2024. Photo by Number 10, Wikimedia commons.
