End of an era, but Blair vows no retreat

By Andrew Grice and Colin Brown

Thursday, 10 May 2007

Share
Close
- Digg
- del.icio.us
- Facebook
- Reddit
- Google
- Stumble Upon
- Fark
- Newsvine
Print
Email

Tony Blair will warn Labour not to retreat to the party's "comfort zone" by slowing down his reform programme as he announces his departure timetable today.

He will tell the Cabinet at its weekly meeting this morning that he is formally resigning as Labour leader, but will carry on as Prime Minister for another six or seven weeks while his successor is chosen. He will then travel to his Sedgefield constituency to make the public announcement.

Mr Blair's "long goodbye" provoked accusations that he is a "lame duck" Prime Minister. David Cameron, the Tory leader, taunted him in the Commons, branding his administration "a government of the living dead". He said there would be "another seven weeks of paralysis".

Downing Street denied the "lame duck" charge, saying the Government would publish policy documents on energy, planning, the family and the role of the state, and that Mr Blair would attend important G8 and EU summits.

After 10 years as prime minister, he will finalise his resignation statement en route to Sedgefield today. He will endorse Gordon Brown as his successor, but is still deciding whether to do that today or at a later stage. Mr Brown is expected to launch his campaign tomorrow. Mr Blair insists he does not want to be a "back-seat driver" after he stands down and accepts that Mr Brown will want to make some changes from the Blair era. Today, he will be upbeat about Labour's prospects of winning a fourth term. But he believes that his reforms must continue if the party is to woo the voters in the south of England who deserted it at last week's local elections.

One close aide said yesterday: "The warning he takes from the elections is that we have to get New Labour voters back. We don't have to chase traditional Labour voters. We've got to go for Middle England, stay in the centre ground and keep the reforms going. Our fate is in our own hands."

Mr Brown may disappoint ultra-Blairites by calling a halt to new private sector contracts in NHS trusts as part of a package designed to show real change after Mr Blair departs.

The Chancellor is privately furious that opinion polls show the Tories have overtaken Labour as the best party to run the NHS and intends to make health his top priority. However, he also wants to show some continuity with the Blair government and some highly controversial reforms will be stepped up.

Andy Burnham, the Health minister, who has come out in support of Mr Brown, called yesterday for primary care trusts to allow private companies to take over family doctor services in 30 areas where it has been difficult to recruit GPs. They are mainly in the North, and urban and inner- city areas.

"Some people say we are privatising the NHS, but we are not. The patients are still under the NHS. They do not pay for their care. This is about improving the provision of primary care services in under-doctored areas, and GP practices are already provided by private contractors," Mr Burnham said.

Mr Brown may put major policy announcements on hold while he embarks on a nationwide tour to show he is listening to the public following last week's election setback for Labour.

He is certain to succeed Mr Blair. The only possible challenge he faces is from a left-wing MP with no chance of defeating him. Michael Meacher and John McDonnell will announce today which one of them will be the left's candidate if they can win the necessary backing of 45 Labour MPs. The Tories are already turning their fire on Mr Brown. Alan Duncan, the shadow Trade and Industry Secretary, said last night that Mr Brown was a "blast from the past" who could not provide a "fresh start" after the Blair era.

Exit strategy

Today 9am: Blair tells Cabinet that he is to stand down by end of June Lunchtime: Blair makes public announcement in Sedgefield.

Tomorrow Brown launches his campaign.

Sunday Labour's NEC approves timetable for leadership elections

Next Mon-Wed Three-day nomination period for candidates.

Late May Start of five hustings meetings

Early June Ballot papers sent out

6 June Blair attends final G8 summit in Germany

2 June Blair attends his last EU summit in Brussels

23/30 June Results of elections announced

25 June/2 July New PM takes over