Blair allies plot to quit Labour for new party

BRITAIN: Close allies of former UK prime minister Tony Blair have drawn up plans to create a new political party if Labour crashes to a historic defeat in the British election next month and have already received pledges of funding if it is needed, according to sources familiar with the discussions.

Blair has said he wants to see the moderates reclaim control of Labour after the election. But some of his political allies have concluded the party cannot be saved from the clutches of the hard Left and that a ‘‘plan B’’ will be required.

A source who used to work for Blair said: ‘‘People are waiting to see just how bad the damage is on June 9. They will look at the results and say, ‘Is this horse a dead horse or can it still be revived? Some people have already come to the conclusion that it can’t and therefore something else will have to be born.

‘‘They’re certainly entertaining possibilities they wouldn’t have entertained before. The unthinkable is being thought.’’

Donors are already standing by to fund a new party. ‘‘Don’t underestimate the genuine love most people have for the Labour Party,’’ the former Blair employee said. ‘‘But if it was to go the other way, the money would be there.’’

Most of the moderates seeking re-election as MPs are convinced they should first try to wrest the party from Jeremy Corbyn and his hard-Left acolytes by seizing control of Labour’s governing body, the national executive committee (NEC).

They also want to bring back the old leadership election rules, which give MPs far more voting power than individual members.

Last week it was reported that, if Corbyn cannot be ousted, up to 100 potential Labour MPs are considering making a unilateral declaration of independence from the party leadership, sitting on the benches as a new grouping.

Another friend of Blair said: ‘‘I think the priority after the election is to get control of the NEC and get the leadership rules changed.

‘‘The party now needs fundamental reform and overhaul. It cannot survive without it. Once control has been regained, this task can begin with a new leader prepared to undertake it. If we do not get such a leader, then we have to think again.’’

The Labour moderates are not confident they can remove the influence of the hard Left since party rules say only 15 per cent of Labour MPs are required to endorse a candidate for a leadership ballot.

Corbyn’s allies are on average in safer seats than the moderates.

‘‘Fifteen per cent of 150 MPs is nothing,’’ said a Blairite. ‘‘The moderates can do the maths, which is why they are starting to think other thoughts.’’

– Sunday Times