THERE is no doubt that Tony Blair is damaged goods as far as the Labour Party is concerned. The flawed justification for bombing Iraq hangs over him like a bad smell and, with prolonged delays over the publication of the Chilcot inquiry, the air is not likely to be cleared any time soon.

A consequence of that tarnished reputation is that anything Mr Blair says is likely, to a significant extent, to be counter-productive.

And that is proving to be the case with his repeated warnings over the direction of the Labour leadership campaign as it heads to its conclusion.

By this week urging members to reject the "Alice in Wonderland" appeal of Jeremy Corbyn, or drive the party over the abyss, he knows he risks reinforcing the protest support for the engaging left-wing candidate who has taken the leadership race by storm. To many, a Blair warning is translated as an endorsement.

And yet Mr Blair is right to speak out. How could the man who led Labour to three general election victories by shedding the party's most traditional left-wing clothes stay silent when so much is at stake?

However history judges him on Iraq – and it is very likely to be badly – Mr Blair undeniably made Labour electable again after a long period in the wilderness. He knows that the country will only vote for Labour at a general election if it appeals to middle England and has a credible economic plan that is not seen as anti-business.

We have spoken to senior Conservative figures here in the North-East who are desperately hoping that Jeremy Corbyn becomes Labour leader – and what does that tell you?

Mr Corbyn may have Alice in Wonderland appeal – but making him leader would be madder than the March Hare.