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17 min ago 3 min read
The UK must prioritise cheaper energy and electrification over net zero and use what is left of North Sea oil and gas resources, according to former Labour leader and Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair.
In a , he said the moves would be “essential for our competitiveness” and for taking advantage of artificial intelligence.
“All governments for the foreseeable future will govern in the age of AI. Those which understand it will see their countries prosper; those which don’t, won’t,” he writes.
“This is literally the challenge across all sectors … it will define the future of the British economy which, ironically, has a powerful position in technology but one we’re in danger of squandering. AI will change everything. There is no point in debating whether this technological revolution is a good or bad thing.”
Calling for an end to traditional left-and-right politics, he said today’s geopolitical and technological challenges call for “a wholesale reconfiguration” of government, with the specialist technical skills necessary to do systemic change.
And turning to Europe, he said it is facing the challenge of implementing the .
“Most countries agree it should be implemented. Many objective observers doubt it will be, because it advocates flexible labour markets, welfare including pension reform, and technological innovation. All face stiff opposition,” he notes.
“The German chancellor and the European Commission are embracing the Draghi report with at least some clear intention of implementation. So, there are signs of hope. But there is .”
Geopolitics was another key area of analysis, understandably with the Middle East crisis .
In a recent ‘Question of the day’ poll, gasworld readers cited geopolitics as one of the primary issues facing businesses with 41% seeing ‘localisation as inevitable’ when accelerating regional gas production strategies.
Blair believes the US, China and India have created a new ‘G2/3’ and everyone else, including Britain, is now a middle power.
Reflecting on the America-first push from the current administration, he said what is being said to the UK is not ‘the partnership is dead’ but rather ‘be bigger and better partners’.
“Europe needs to build economic competitivity and military capability … the so-called new world order is not a consequence of an American breach with its western allies.”
“Rather it is the product of a risen China, a rising India, a newly militaristic Russia, emerging significant power blocs in the Gulf and elsewhere, and therefore the shifting pattern of power.”
He said the Gulf States are another new factor in global politics – wealthy, modernising fast, and with huge investment in the West which they’re increasing, as well as becoming important players in the developing world. “The war in Iran will not alter this,” he said.
The UK recently signed with Gulf states.
