Why Tony Blair believes Covid crisis demands a ‘completely different modus operandi’ by policymakers

Why Tony Blair believes Covid crisis demands a ‘completely different modus operandi’ by policymakers

He was early in seeing that face-masks and visors would become necessary for key workers and the wider public; he was big on mass testing before others; and he was first to propose a longer gap between vaccine doses in order to protect more vulnerable people quickly.

Speaking to the Telegraph on Tuesday in front of a large piece of Brit art recalling his “Cool Britannia” days, Mr Blair accepted his was the easier role and made no criticism of ministers. “I've been there... I've no doubt everyone in government is working their socks off,” he said.

But there is little doubt the former prime minister's pragmatic brand of politics and penchant for the “big picture” suit the current crisis. The virus does not respect ideology but it may be vulnerable to the politics of the “third way” – or so it seems.

On the big picture, Mr Blair said countries in Asia which had suffered a “near death experience” with Sars and Mers had done well by pursuing a policy of “Covid eradication”, but believes that “horse has bolted” for the rest of us.

Instead, countries like Britain must “manage” the virus, something which requires a “completely different modus operandi”, he said.

“What policymakers