Tony Blair has called for “serious statesmanship” in negotiating Britain’s exit from the European Union.
Writing in The Telegraph, Mr Blair insists a Eurosceptic ‘Brexit Minister’ would be the wrong choice to conduct talks with the EU.
In an article that will inevitably be seen as an offer by Mr Blair to play a part in the negotiations, the former prime minister says: “There is going to be a negotiation of extraordinary complexity where there are a thousand devils in every detail... This needs serious statesmanship.”
"Actually, the people do have a right to change their mind, but that is not for now"Tony Blair
Mr Blair questions whether it is “really sensible” to put a pro-Leave minister in charge of Brexit negotiations.
Instead, he writes, the lead negotiator must have a “high level sense... of the things that might be compromised, the things that are red lines”.
He goes on: “The psychology of the other 27 countries is crucial to feel and shape.”
Mr Blair condemns Nigel Farage’s mocking outburst in the European Parliament earlier this week, warning the Government not to “underestimate the damage” that will have caused.
Nigel Farage jeered and booed as he tells MEPs they are 'in denial' over Brexit Play! 07:06
He also argues that the narrowness of the vote had left 48 per cent “completely disenfranchised” and “alienated”.
Mr Blair’s intervention will be interpreted as an attempt to influence the talks. A committed Europhile, Mr Blair had previously tried and failed in 2009 to become EU president.
Pro-EU rally held in central London Play! 00:57
Mr Blair says in The Telegraph that “Britain should keep all our options open” and goes on to insist that “is not an argument for another referendum”.
He then adds: “Actually the people do have a right to change their mind, but that is not for now.”
He concludes in what will be seen as a further offer to help: “Our nation is in peril. To allow us to come safely through this we need to be adult in our politics, to proceed with calm, maturity and without bitterness; because our future as a nation in the world and as the UK itself is at stake.”