'Johnson doesn't have plan for Britain's future', says Sir Tony Blair

Boris Johnson does not have a plan for the future of Britain, according to Sir Tony Blair.

The former prime minister said there is a “gaping hole” in the governance of the country where there should be new ideas.

It comes amidst scandal engulfing the current incumbent in Number 10 and questions over what he knew about gatherings held at Downing Street during the coronavirus pandemic.

Sir Tony is expected to make the remarks in an online address on Thursday.

And he will state that whether or not Johnson survives the row, his biggest problem is the absence of a plan for the country’s future.

“There is a gaping hole in the governing of Britain where new ideas should be,” Sir Tony will say.

“We are living through three revolutionary changes simultaneously and are ill-prepared for any of them.

“Each of them would require major changes to the way we work as a nation.

“All of them together pose a challenge which is unprecedented in recent history.”

Sir Tony will say that the Government’s slogan of “levelling up” did little to clarify the real issues for the UK.

“Other than a desire to give opportunity to those without it, which is obviously hard to disagree with, the slogan risks misdirecting the framing of the country’s problem,” he will say.

“We face a national challenge – all the country, not simply the areas ‘left behind’.”

He will add: “I understand completely the rage against what happened in Downing Street during lockdown and how the country feels.

“Maybe Boris Johnson goes and maybe he doesn’t. But the real problem is the absence of a Government plan for Britain’s future.”