Blair refuses to endorse Corbyn as next UK PM

Tony Blair, the most successful leader in Labour history who led the party to three successive election wins, on Thursday saw Theresa May returning as the prime minister after the June 8 election, and refused to endorse party leader Jeremy Corbyn.

Blair, who has been hinting at returning to frontline politics, launched a ‘mission’ in February to reverse last June’s referendum vote to leave the European Union. According to him, the vote was based on ‘imperfect knowledge’ and has called on people to “rise up” against Brexit.

Speaking to Sky News on forthcoming election prompted by Bexit, Blair refused to say if he thought Corbyn would be the best prime minister, arguing that people should vote Labour to make sure May has a strong opposition.

A known Corbyn critic, he said: “If the polls are right, we know who’s going to be prime minister on 9 June. That’s not the issue. It’ll be Theresa May if the polls are right. I think the real issue is blank cheque. It’s what mandate does she claim, on Brexit and on the health service.”

“I think the most powerful argument for Labour in this election because of the way the polls are, and the way the opinion polls are and the leadership issue, the most powerful argument for Labour is to say it’s important for our democracy that the government is held to account and needs a strong opposition.”