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Blair may stay until next summer Blair may stay until next summer
(about 2 hours later)
Tony Blair is likely to stay as prime minister longer than some had expected, Education Secretary Alan Johnson said.Tony Blair is likely to stay as prime minister longer than some had expected, Education Secretary Alan Johnson said.
Buoyed by Mr Blair's final conference speech as leader, his supporters want him to stay until next summer.Buoyed by Mr Blair's final conference speech as leader, his supporters want him to stay until next summer.
Mr Blair has said he will quit within a year, but there had been calls for him to go by next May at the latest.Mr Blair has said he will quit within a year, but there had been calls for him to go by next May at the latest.
Mr Johnson said the fact Mr Blair said he would focus on Middle East troubles before stepping down "suggests he's not thinking about a couple of weeks".Mr Johnson said the fact Mr Blair said he would focus on Middle East troubles before stepping down "suggests he's not thinking about a couple of weeks".
LABOUR WEEK AHEAD WEDNESDAY: Alan Johnson, David Miliband, Patricia Hewitt all take to the platform and Bill Clinton is the guest speakerTHURSDAY: John Reid, Peter Hain and John Prescott all take to the stage Blair rejects blame for terror Conference: At-a-glanceLABOUR WEEK AHEAD WEDNESDAY: Alan Johnson, David Miliband, Patricia Hewitt all take to the platform and Bill Clinton is the guest speakerTHURSDAY: John Reid, Peter Hain and John Prescott all take to the stage Blair rejects blame for terror Conference: At-a-glance
And he agreed, during an interview on BBC Radio 4's Today, with the suggestion that Mr Blair would stay on longer than many had expected at the start of the party conference in Manchester.And he agreed, during an interview on BBC Radio 4's Today, with the suggestion that Mr Blair would stay on longer than many had expected at the start of the party conference in Manchester.
He said: "If the prime minister says: 'I want to use the rest of my time to try to resolve the Middle East problem in the same way we tried to tackle the Northern Ireland problem', I think it suggests he's not thinking about a couple of weeks. It's a big problem.He said: "If the prime minister says: 'I want to use the rest of my time to try to resolve the Middle East problem in the same way we tried to tackle the Northern Ireland problem', I think it suggests he's not thinking about a couple of weeks. It's a big problem.
"But I really think people now are saying: 'Tony, the date you step down is a matter for you and it would be crazy to name a date.""But I really think people now are saying: 'Tony, the date you step down is a matter for you and it would be crazy to name a date."
Clinton speechClinton speech
Mr Johnson, one of the possible contenders to succeed Mr Blair, will speak at the conference on Wednesday.Mr Johnson, one of the possible contenders to succeed Mr Blair, will speak at the conference on Wednesday.
The conference has already heard from poverty campaigner Bob Geldof, who called for more aid funding in next year's comprehensive spending review.The conference has already heard from poverty campaigner Bob Geldof, who called for more aid funding in next year's comprehensive spending review.
Now delegates are being addressed by ex-US President Bill Clinton. Ex-US President Bill Clinton paid glowing tributes to Mr Blair and Mr Brown during a speech to conference which also warned that Labour's biggest problem was that people would take their achievements for granted.
Mr Clinton wowed the Labour delegates four years ago and has recently praised both Mr Blair and Chancellor Gordon Brown.
Reforms under-fireReforms under-fire
The Labour leadership has already lost one conference vote on Wednesday, with delegates backing a motion demanding the government provides more money for council houses "as a matter of urgency".The Labour leadership has already lost one conference vote on Wednesday, with delegates backing a motion demanding the government provides more money for council houses "as a matter of urgency".
And trade unions are confident they will inflict another defeat later over NHS reforms - although the vote result is unlikely to be released until Wednesday.And trade unions are confident they will inflict another defeat later over NHS reforms - although the vote result is unlikely to be released until Wednesday.
The motion criticising reforms comes as striking NHS workers lobby the conference.The motion criticising reforms comes as striking NHS workers lobby the conference.
The motion, tabled by public service union Unison, says "immense damage" is being done to some local NHS services despite the extra investment of recent years.The motion, tabled by public service union Unison, says "immense damage" is being done to some local NHS services despite the extra investment of recent years.
It blames cash deficits and the "breakneck speed of change" and pressed the government to "rethink the headlong rush to a competitive system".It blames cash deficits and the "breakneck speed of change" and pressed the government to "rethink the headlong rush to a competitive system".
Electoral successElectoral success
BBC political editor Nick Robinson said Mr Blair's aides were little short of euphoric at the reception for Mr Blair on Wednesday.BBC political editor Nick Robinson said Mr Blair's aides were little short of euphoric at the reception for Mr Blair on Wednesday.
The prime minister won a lengthy standing ovation on Tuesday as he told an emotional Labour gathering: "You're the future now, make the most of it."The prime minister won a lengthy standing ovation on Tuesday as he told an emotional Labour gathering: "You're the future now, make the most of it."
The prime minister said in his speech on Tuesday that "it is hard to let go" but insisted a fourth Labour election victory was all he wanted as his legacy.The prime minister said in his speech on Tuesday that "it is hard to let go" but insisted a fourth Labour election victory was all he wanted as his legacy.
Like every great showman, he left with the crowd wanting more BBC political editor Nick Robinson Read Nick's thoughts in full Key quotes: Blair speechLike every great showman, he left with the crowd wanting more BBC political editor Nick Robinson Read Nick's thoughts in full Key quotes: Blair speech
Mr Blair also trumpeted the achievements of his government in raising standards in education and health and in cutting crime.Mr Blair also trumpeted the achievements of his government in raising standards in education and health and in cutting crime.
And he attacked the notion that British foreign policy was to blame for terrorist attacks.And he attacked the notion that British foreign policy was to blame for terrorist attacks.
His performance is being seen as possibly his best Labour conference speech in 12 years as leader.His performance is being seen as possibly his best Labour conference speech in 12 years as leader.
Labour MP Ian Gibson, a frequent critic of Mr Blair, said: "I kept thinking: why's he going when he's still obviously got the passion."Labour MP Ian Gibson, a frequent critic of Mr Blair, said: "I kept thinking: why's he going when he's still obviously got the passion."
But Conservative Party chairman Francis Maude said: "With the NHS in crisis and crime soaring, the British people won't share Mr Blair's misty-eyed nostalgia. The time has now come for him to accept the applause and leave the stage."But Conservative Party chairman Francis Maude said: "With the NHS in crisis and crime soaring, the British people won't share Mr Blair's misty-eyed nostalgia. The time has now come for him to accept the applause and leave the stage."
Lib Dem campaigns chief Ed Davey said Mr Blair was a "lame duck" and should tell the public when he was going.Lib Dem campaigns chief Ed Davey said Mr Blair was a "lame duck" and should tell the public when he was going.