MP gives Blair sleaze warning
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.TONY BLAIR was warned the "bubble may be about to burst" by a Labour MP last night as he faced set-backs to his leadership on the national executive elections in the run-up to Labour's annual conference.
Chris Mullin, the chairman of the powerful Commons select committee on home affairs, said: "I wish we were not so dependent on spin doctors or the favours of rich men. We won on sleaze. We could lose on sleaze."
But in a strongly supportive speech to a left-wing group of Labour supporters, Mr Mullin also praised the Blair government's achievements.
"There are some signs in the last few weeks that the bubble may be about to burst but, by and large ... voters are much happier with this Labour government than [are] party members, or at least those who are active."
He said it should not have built the Millennium Dome; it should not have been necessary to make "a Faustian pact with the middle classes over taxation"; and he attacked an "unhealthy authoritarian streak in New Labour".
But there were 10 areas where it had made progress, including the minimum wage, he said. His support for Mr Blair came after the former Labour leader Neil Kinnock weighed into an increasingly sour battle for places on the party's governing body with a warning to activists not to elect "Trotskyites, sectarians and other selfish parasites".
Mr Blair's supporters are expected to be defeated by some on the hard- left in the elections to the National Executive Committee (NEC) to be announced at the party conference in Blackpool at the end of the month.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments