Tony Blair’s book tour is in full swing. Fresh off an interview with the BBC’s Amol Rajan during which he targeted the UK’s post-Brexit immigration system, the former prime minister has made further eye-catching comments. This time he told Sky News that he was “worried” about the rise of populism leading to strongman leaders.

But, Blair said, it is the centre ground that will defeat the extremes. He told Sophy Ridge: “The centre is not the mushy middle between Left and Right. It should be the place of solutions.” Reviewing Blair’s new book in The Guardian this week, former first minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon wrote: “I think history will, and should, judge him much more kindly than contemporary opinion does.” Of course, Blair’s reputation has only risen since he left office…