Blair’s advice for Labour fails to engage with inequality, senior party figures say

Andy Burnham and Torsten Bell say the former Labour PM’s essay does not address today’s challenges

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Tony Blair’s criticism of the Labour party fails to engage with inequality and the “extremes of austerity”, senior party figures have said.

Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester, who is widely expected to launch a leadership challenge if he wins next month’s Makerfield byelection, said the essay merited a “considered response” and he would set one out on Thursday.