‘It’s clear!’ Bev Turner accuses Keir Starmer of Tony Blair ploy as ex-PM sets out vision

‘It’s clear!’ Bev Turner accuses Keir Starmer of Tony Blair ploy as ex-PM sets out vision

WATCH NOW: Bev Turner and Andrew Pierce react to Sir Tony Blair's speech on Britain

GB News
Georgia Pearce

By Georgia Pearce


Published: 09/07/2024

- 12:02

Updated: 09/07/2024

- 12:05

The former Prime Minister hailed an 'era of transformation' as he set out Labour's vision for Britain

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has been accused of "being told what to do" by Sir Tony Blair, as the former Labour leader delivered a speech at the Future of Britain Conference.

Setting out his vision for Britain under Starmer's new government, Blair claimed that the UK is in an "era of transformation", and said the "risks and opportunities are huge".


Reacting to Blair's speech, GB News presenters Andrew Pierce and Bev Turner criticised the Prime Minister for allowing the event to be held by the Tony Blair Institute, which is an "extraordinarily successful billion pound industry".

Echoing thoughts of GB News viewers, Andrew said there is "exasperation, fury and confusion" about Blair's perceived involvement in the new Starmer administration.

Sir Keir Starmer and Bev Turner

Bev Turner has hit out at Prime Minister Keir Starmer for his 'Tony Blair ploy'

PA / GB News

Bev agreed with Andrew and the thoughts of viewers, adding: "Tony Blair is on the stage today, in the first week of a Labour administration, basically taking the reins off Sir Keir Starmer. It's a bad look."

Andrew pointed out that the conference "was probably organised months in advance", but it is still a "bad look" for the new Prime Minister.

Andrew explained: "We know that with Blair, a lot of his people have worked in Starmer's private office when he was leader of the opposition, and they provided lots of policy documents.

"On the front page of the Sunday Times, Blair was laying down the law to Starmer on immigration, saying you've got to sort immigration out, otherwise there'll be a problem with reform.

Sir Tony Blair

Former Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair set out his vision for Britain under new leader Sir Keir Starmer

PA

"Which coming from him, when he caused most of the immigration problems, this now will look like Keir Starmer is being told what to do."

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Bev was in agreement with Andrew, stating it is "clear" that Starmer is being overseen by the former Prime Minister.

She fumed: "He clearly is. One of the things he said there is what we're going to do for growth is planning reform. And Tony Blair said it's a seemingly dry subject."

Hitting out at Blair, Bev added: "No, Tony Blair, it is not a dry subject. It is a dry subject if all you're bothered about is expanding your technocratic ambitions across the globe and filling your coffers at the expense of the British people.

"But if you are a person living in this country, actually planning reform is really important."

Bev Turner

Andrew Pierce and Bev Turner said Tony Blair is 'taking the reins' from Keir Starmer

GB News

Noting the Labour government's decision to reform planning permissions, Andrew criticised their plans to build on 'Greenbelt land'.

He told GB News: "They're going to build on Greenbelt, and it's about what the definition of greenbelt is.

"I heard the new local government minister, Jim McMahon, talking about how it won't be on the rolling hills of England. Well, that's all right then. If the hills roll, they won't build on them!"

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