Former Prime Minister Tony Blair has advised Keir Starmer, the current occupant of Downing Street, to steer clear of social media’s harsh scrutiny during his tenure. He warned that constant exposure to online criticism could lead to severe psychological issues.
In an interview with Andrew Rawnsley, the Observer’s chief political commentator, Blair shared insights from his latest book, On Leadership: Lessons for the 21st Century.
Blair’s remarks come as Starmer grapples with the pressures of leadership, following his successful bid to return the Labour Party to power after 14 years in opposition.
Blair, who once faced widespread public discontent over the Iraq war, drew from his personal experience, cautioning against the mental toll that unchecked criticism can take on a leader.
“You know, you start scrolling through social media that’s written about you, it’s going to do your head in,” Blair stated unequivocally.
In his book, Blair reflects on how he navigated the intense criticism that marked his time in office. His advice to Starmer is simple yet stern: “DON’T READ IT!” This, he believes, is crucial for maintaining mental stability in the face of inevitable public backlash.
When Rawnsley suggested that it is essential for leaders to be aware of public opinion, even when it is unfavorable, Blair acknowledged this, but with a caveat. “Of course. And, by the way, there’s no leader that isn’t aware of public opinion, and you’ve got to listen to sensible criticism,” he conceded.
However, he quickly added, “But what I’m really saying is that, if you’re not careful, you can become completely psychologically derailed by critics. And you can’t allow that to happen; you’ve got to carry on. You’ve got to realize it just comes with the territory.”
Blair Praises Starmer’s Early Achievements
Blair, initially skeptical of Starmer’s chances of reclaiming power, expressed admiration for the new Prime Minister’s accomplishment.
“I thought pulling it off was massive, but I have to say he has. And one of the best things he’s done, by the way, is the quality of the candidates that have come in,” Blair remarked, referring to the new wave of MPs who have joined the Labour Party under Starmer’s leadership.
Particularly, Blair lauded Starmer’s response to the recent far-right riots that erupted on Britain’s streets. “I think Keir handled it as well as it could be handled. I give him full marks for it. It was obviously difficult, but he took tough action and that ended it,” Blair said, commending the Prime Minister’s decisive approach.
Looking forward, Blair emphasized that Starmer’s success will hinge on his government’s ability to deliver on its promises to the electorate. “It’s always the same thing,” Blair noted.
“The challenge of democracy is delivering its efficacy. The reason for the rise of populism is all to do with the fact that people don’t believe governments are delivering for them.”
Tony Blair
Blair’s Strategic Advice to Starmer
As Starmer braces for the “tough decisions” necessary to address the economic and social challenges left by the previous government, Blair’s book underscores the importance of swift action. Reflecting on his time in office, Blair admitted, “In retrospect, I would have reformed earlier, faster.”
Blair shared a story from his book about former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres, who once asked a successor indecisive on a critical issue: “Do you want to be in the history book or the visitors’ book?”
Blair’s advice to Starmer is equally direct: “Go to it. It will be tough but if you don’t step up to the challenge, the visitors’ book is where you will end up.”
While Blair insists that his book is not a manual for Starmer, he does offer a word of caution regarding civil service reform. “My experience is that there is no reform of the system that is going to deliver you big change,” he warned.
Instead, Blair advocates for bringing in external expertise, citing Singapore’s example of integrating engineers into the government to drive innovation. “That gives you an idea of how much expertise you’re going to require from outside government in order to transform government,” Blair concluded.
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