The Brexit vote has brought many unintended side effects – one of which is Tony Blair’s return to politics, 20 years after he won a landslide general election.
As we head towards another of those – but this time with a Conservative government poised to take the victory – the former Prime Minister spoke of his ambitions to soften Brexit and “shape policy debate”.
He told The Mirror: “This Brexit thing has given me a direct motivation to get more involved in the politics. You need to get your hands dirty and I will.”
Mr Blair is not as wildly popular as he was 20 years ago – especially not in the ranks of his own party.
He acknowledged that he will get a “bucket of wotsit” poured on his head when he makes his grand return.
However, those worried the original Blairite will grab control of the Labour party need not worry – for now.