Theresa May could have to delay the March 2019 Brexit date because of the political impasse over the UK's future outside the EU, Tony Blair will say. The former prime minister will use a major speech to hit out at both the Tories and Jeremy Corbyn's Labour over the state of the Brexit process, demanding a more assertive Parliament and a fresh referendum on any deal with the EU. His comments come in a speech in which he will warn about a rise of populism which risks a return to the 1930s and the danger of the West losing sight of the values which brought the US and Europe together. He will tell the Chatham House foreign affairs think tank that he has "never been more worried about the future of... Register or log in to view this and other Politics articles. It's free and easy to do. Join regular debates with our journalists by commenting on articles Sign up to exclusive newsletters that give you the inside track on Westminster and Brexit Register Log in … [Read more...] about Tony Blair: Brexit date might have to be delayed because of impasse
Tony blair
Tony Blair calls for Brexit to be delayed and warns populism could drag Europe back to 1930s
Tony Blair is plunging himself into a fresh Brexit row by urging the government to postpone the date when Britain leaves the European Union. In another major intervention, the former prime minister and pro-Remain cheerleader will repeat his call for another referendum - on the terms of the Brexit deal.He is also expected to bitterly attack both Theresa May, dismissing her as s Brexit "hostage", and Jeremy Corbyn, accusing him of neglecting to lead the fight for the future of Britain.And, in a Chatham House lecture, Mr Blair will issue a rallying call to pro-Remain Labour and Conservative backbenchers to defy their party leaders and rebel on Brexit.The former Labour premier, branded the "Remainer-in-chief" by Brexiteers, is also set to claim the rise of populism in European countries such as Italy risks a return to the 1930s.On Brexit, Mr Blair will declare: "We cannot go on like this. I have never been more worried about the future of our country than now, with competing emotions of … [Read more...] about Tony Blair calls for Brexit to be delayed and warns populism could drag Europe back to 1930s
Brexit Talks Deadline May Need to Be Extended, Tony Blair Says
The U.K. should start planning to delay Brexit and extend negotiations with the European Union or face the disaster of leaving without a deal, according to former Prime Minister Tony Blair.In an impassioned appeal for a change of course, Blair will warn that crashing out of the EU with no agreement will be “devastating” for the U.K., as he declares himself more worried than ever about the country’s future.Blair believes Theresa May is allowing Britain to drift aimlessly toward exit day because the premier is so weak as to be “more a hostage than a leader.”“We cannot go on like this,” Blair will tell the Chatham House think tank in London on Wednesday, according to extracts released in advance by his office. “We should plan now for the possibility we need to extend the March 2019 deadline.”Blair’s intervention will deepen the divisions within the government over May’s handling of Brexit at a critical time as she prepares … [Read more...] about Brexit Talks Deadline May Need to Be Extended, Tony Blair Says
Tony Blair: return to dark 1930s politics no longer far-fetched
A return to the dark politics of the 1930s is no longer far-fetched today because of rampant nationalist populism and the widespread rejection of multilateral alliances, according to Tony Blair. In a stark speech to the Chatham House thinktank in London, the former British prime minister will say he has never been so worried about the future of the UK. Blair will also tell Donald Trump, ahead of the US president’s visit to Europe next month, that he must act to preserve the transatlantic alliance, or else he will weaken the whole of the west in the struggle against rising nations such as China. Blair is due to say: “We need to know from the current American administration and its president that our alliance matters, that it is regarded, historically and contemporaneously, as a vital American strategic interest.” “We are losing sight of the values which brought the west together, saw it through the menace of fascism and communism”, he will add. Blair also … [Read more...] about Tony Blair: return to dark 1930s politics no longer far-fetched
Tony Blair says Trump must reassure EU of support for bloc
Donald Trump must reassure Europe by clearly stating his support for democratic values and the survival of the EU if the US is not to suffer as individual European nations are picked off by rival powers such as Russia and China, Tony Blair has said. Speaking ahead of the US president’s visit to London and the Nato summit next month, the former British prime minister said Trump had to reassure Europe that he was not seeking the disintegration of the EU. Blair, often seen as the British politician most willing to defend US presidents and the centrality of the transatlantic alliance, expressed deep concern that Trump’s unpredictability was unsettling Europe. The president has repeatedly targeted the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, and his political allies appear to be siding with the pro-Russia populist voices in Europe currently in power in Austria and Italy. Speaking to a group of newspapers at the weekend, Blair said: “People in Europe worry about the … [Read more...] about Tony Blair says Trump must reassure EU of support for bloc