I'd take Blair over Starmer any day of the week. As I've said up above Blair had Brown, Cook, Claire Short etc in his Cabinet. Starmer wouldn't have them in the party.
As for Wales being different demographically, true with regards to Southern England but not that different to the North where English Labour have been hemorrhaging votes for years.
As I've also said above without Wales you'd be looking at being under tory rule for infinity and beyond. Its an uncomfortable fact, we are propping you up.