Labour want Blair to hit the campaign trail

Tom Watson has told the Times that Tony Blair should hit the campaign trail “if he fancies it”. There have been rumours that both Blairs will campaign at the next election, but this is the first time, to my knowledge, that a Brownite has publicly implored the former PM to return to the fold, and perhaps it’s a measure of the Brown camp’s increasing desperation that they are prepared to bury the hatchet.

I’ve no doubt that Blair will answer the call, he would have done so had no call come. His input will be valued by a party that grew accustomed to victory under his leadership, even if he only inspires false self-confidence. But, after 12 years of government and the catastrophic Brown premiership, I doubt whether even Blair can avert the inevitable.