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Party leaders who are not worried about the rise of Ukip in Britain are “foolish”, Tony Blair has said.
The former Prime Minister made no mention of Labour's performance or the response of Ed Miliband to the results, in remarks he made to Swedish television reported by his office.
"Of course we should be worried when a party like Ukip comes first in the European election, it would be foolish not to be,” Mr Blair said. “But on the other hand we also have to stand for what is correct and right for the future of Britain in the 21st century.”
Mr Blair added that there was a “major issue” with the way Europe worked and said pro-Europeans had to take on board the message sent by voters.
"When the world is changing so fast, to end up having the debate dominated by anti-immigrant feeling and a desire to get Britain out of Europe, these are not solutions for the 21st century,” he said.
Show all 34 1 /34In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Nigel Farage celebrates with a pint after early local election results in the Hoy and Helmet pub in South Benfleet in Essex
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Ukip leader Nigel Farage stands on stage after being re-elected as an MEP flanked by fellow Ukip MEPs Janice Atkinson (R) and Diane James (L)
AFP/Getty Images
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Nigel Farage on stage after being re-elected as an MEP as the South East England region results of the European Parliament elections
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In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Nigel Farage (L) jokes with a TV crew before an interview at the declaration of the South East England region results of the European Parliament elections
AFP/Getty Images
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Ukip leader Nigel Farage sits with fellow candidates Janice Atkinson (L), Diane James (second right) and Ray Finch (R) as the South East England region results of the European Parliament elections are declared by the returning officer at Southampton Guildhall
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In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 A defaced UKIP poster showing the faces of Nigel Farage, David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg in Sheffield
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Labour leader Ed Miliband is greeted by supporters and councillors at Redbridge Town Hall in Ilford, Essex
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Labour leader Ed Miliband shake hands with supporters and councillors at Redbridge Town Hall in Ilford, Essex
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 David Cameron and his wife Samantha Cameron arrive at the Polling Station in Westminster Central Hall to cast their vote in the European and Local Elections in London
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Nick Clegg leaves his home after disappointing results in the UK Local elections in London
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Nigel Farage leaves a polling station near Biggin Hill
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Council staff count votes from local elections at Trinity School in Croydon
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Council staff count votes from local elections at Trinity School in Croydon
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) members wait for results of local election during the counting of votes at Trinity School in Croydon
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 A ballot box containing votes in local elections is emptied at Trinity School in Croydon
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 A member of the Labour Party sleeps during the counting of votes in local elections at Trinity School in Croydon
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Cut-outs of the electoral wards in the Borough of Croydon are prepared to be placed on a map of the borough whilst votes in local elections continue to be counted at Trinity School
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 David Cameron talks during a campaign rally in Ealing
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Nick Clegg leaves after casting his vote at the Hall Park Centre, Sheffield
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 A Conservative Party supporter gets ready for a campaign ally in Ealing
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 David Cameron shakes a supporters hand during a Conservative party campaign rally in Ealing
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Nick Clegg walks past a bus stop to cast his vote at the Hall Park Centre, Sheffield
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Liberal Democrat Leader and Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg speaks to the media upon leaving The Cabinet Office, Whitehall
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Nick Clegg talks to residents on Weybourne Drive as he delivers Liberal Democrats Party leaflets in Bredbury in Stockport
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Nigel Farage with supporters following good results in local elections in South Ockendon
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Early local election results announced overnight show subsantial gains for UKIP
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 UKIP voters celebrate while waiting for Nigel Farage
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Nigel Farage meets supporters during a visit to South Ockendon, Essex
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 A supporter gives the thumb-up for UKIP leader Nigel Farage as the latter prepares to leaves Thurrock in Essex
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 British Labour Party leader Ed Miliband speaks to journalists outside his house in North London
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Ed Miliband and his wife Justine leave a polling station after they casting their votes in Sutton, south Yorkshire
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Nigel Farage gives a media interview before leaving his home in Cudham, Kent
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Nigel Farage celebrates with two supporters during a visit to Basildon, Essex
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Farage's party could be on track to win the biggest share of British votes in elections for the European Parliament
“We have got to be strong enough to show the leadership, to take on this wave of anti-immigration and old-fashioned ultra-nationalist feeling which isn't the future, has nothing to offer people and is no real response to the challenges of the 21st century”.
The former Labour Prime Minister added: “It's a balance, it's a balance in which we need both the courage to reform and the courage to lead."
Additional reporting by PA
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