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Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has issued a stark warning about the state of politics, cautioning that it risks becoming a realm dominated by celebrities and the wealthy. In a recent interview, Blair called for a reset of Britain’s relationship with Europe and criticized the rise of identity politics.

Blair, who left frontline politics over a decade ago, expressed concern about the direction of Western democracy, noting a “loss of mission” within the system. Despite the technological revolution that is reshaping society, he believes that too many politicians are pessimistic about the future.

The former prime minister also highlighted the issue of record net migration to the UK, suggesting that it is a sign of the country’s attractiveness. However, he advocated for the use of ID cards to better track and manage migration, rather than the current policy of sending individuals to Rwanda.

Blair’s comments come at a time when the Labour Party, under the leadership of Keir Starmer, is poised to potentially win the next general election. Starmer has openly praised the legacy of Blair’s government, signaling a shift from the previous leadership under Jeremy Corbyn.

As the head of the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, Blair’s influence is expected to grow if Labour returns to power. He emphasized the need for a new approach to Europe, calling for a reset of the UK’s relationship with the continent.

Despite his age of 70, Blair joked that he would lack direction in life if he did not keep working. He stressed the importance of waking up with a sense of purpose every day, noting that without it, he might just “sit around and drink all day.”