This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/5314632.stm

The article has changed 31 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 15 Version 16
Blair urged to go by Labour MPs Blair urged to go by Labour MPs
(20 minutes later)
A group of normally loyal Labour MPs has written to Tony Blair urging him to quit as prime minister, the BBC understands.A group of normally loyal Labour MPs has written to Tony Blair urging him to quit as prime minister, the BBC understands.
The 17 MPs, who were elected in 2001, made the call as the prime minister faced mounting pressure to name his departure date.The 17 MPs, who were elected in 2001, made the call as the prime minister faced mounting pressure to name his departure date.
The news prompted Cabinet minister David Miliband to say he expected Mr Blair to quit in a year's time.The news prompted Cabinet minister David Miliband to say he expected Mr Blair to quit in a year's time.
It follows a leaked memo detailing plans for a farewell tour by Mr Blair.It follows a leaked memo detailing plans for a farewell tour by Mr Blair.
Uncertainty fearsUncertainty fears
The prime minister has said he will step down before the next election but has refused to give more details about his plans at this month's Labour conference in Manchester.The prime minister has said he will step down before the next election but has refused to give more details about his plans at this month's Labour conference in Manchester.
Now Labour MPs have acted to try to force his hand.Now Labour MPs have acted to try to force his hand.
He should be the star who won't even play that last encore Leaked memo from Blair allies class="">In full: leaked memo Analysis: How will Blair go? He should be the star who won't even play that last encore Leaked memo from Blair allies class="">Key quotes: leaked memo Analysis: How will Blair go?
A senior Cabinet source told BBC News the correspondence from the 2001 intake of MPs effectively calls on the prime minister to go.A senior Cabinet source told BBC News the correspondence from the 2001 intake of MPs effectively calls on the prime minister to go.
The source said the letter was seen for the first time on Monday and was likely to convince Mr Blair he needed to say more about his departure plans.The source said the letter was seen for the first time on Monday and was likely to convince Mr Blair he needed to say more about his departure plans.
It is not yet been decided whether Mr Blair will spell out that this is his final year in office, said the source.It is not yet been decided whether Mr Blair will spell out that this is his final year in office, said the source.
Alternatively he could start a process of working with Chancellor Gordon Brown to make clear that a "stable and orderly transition" was under way.Alternatively he could start a process of working with Chancellor Gordon Brown to make clear that a "stable and orderly transition" was under way.
'Misconceived''Misconceived'
Blairite MPs Chris Bryant and Sion Simon are understood to have coordinated the letter.Blairite MPs Chris Bryant and Sion Simon are understood to have coordinated the letter.
But Mr Bryant told BBC Wales that if he had sent the prime minister a private letter "then it's a private matter".But Mr Bryant told BBC Wales that if he had sent the prime minister a private letter "then it's a private matter".
HAVE YOUR SAY Blair should only step down if an immediate General Election is called Mark, Guildford Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY Blair should only step down if an immediate General Election is called Mark, Guildford Send us your comments
Dai Havard, who became in an MP in 2001, said he would have signed the letter had he been asked - but its real significance was that it came from the prime minister's closest allies.Dai Havard, who became in an MP in 2001, said he would have signed the letter had he been asked - but its real significance was that it came from the prime minister's closest allies.
"They have been saying things like this for a long time in private. They are now doing the right thing," he told the BBC News website."They have been saying things like this for a long time in private. They are now doing the right thing," he told the BBC News website.
Sir Jeremy Beecham, chairman of Labour's national executive committee, said the letter was misconceived.Sir Jeremy Beecham, chairman of Labour's national executive committee, said the letter was misconceived.
"Tony Blair is conscious of what needs to be done and I'm sure he is entitled to be able to depart in dignity and I'm sure that will happen in time for a new leader to be in place for the conference next year," he told BBC News 24."Tony Blair is conscious of what needs to be done and I'm sure he is entitled to be able to depart in dignity and I'm sure that will happen in time for a new leader to be in place for the conference next year," he told BBC News 24.
Leaving in triumph?Leaving in triumph?
MPs elected only last year are also understood to have drafted a separate letter which praises Mr Blair's achievements but says it is time for him to go.MPs elected only last year are also understood to have drafted a separate letter which praises Mr Blair's achievements but says it is time for him to go.
Meanwhile Mr Miliband, speaking earlier on the Today programme became the first senior minister to give a specific timescale for Mr Blair's departure.Meanwhile Mr Miliband, speaking earlier on the Today programme became the first senior minister to give a specific timescale for Mr Blair's departure.
He had not been given a date by Mr Blair, he said, but agreed with the "conventional wisdom" that it would be in about 12 months.He had not been given a date by Mr Blair, he said, but agreed with the "conventional wisdom" that it would be in about 12 months.
In a separate development, a leaked memo suggesting a farewell tour to promote the "triumph of Blairism" has been published by the Daily Mirror.In a separate development, a leaked memo suggesting a farewell tour to promote the "triumph of Blairism" has been published by the Daily Mirror.
The memo, reportedly drawn up by a group of his allies, including his pollster Philip Gould, says: "He needs to go with the crowd wanting more."The memo, reportedly drawn up by a group of his allies, including his pollster Philip Gould, says: "He needs to go with the crowd wanting more."
Downing Street says neither Mr Blair nor any senior No 10 staff have seen the memo.Downing Street says neither Mr Blair nor any senior No 10 staff have seen the memo.
Poll standingsPoll standings
Mr Blair laughed off talk about his leadership in a speech in York about social exclusion, joking about how he had visited healthcare workers discussing "what leadership challenges remain for me".Mr Blair laughed off talk about his leadership in a speech in York about social exclusion, joking about how he had visited healthcare workers discussing "what leadership challenges remain for me".
Conservative policy director Oliver Letwin said the government was now in "near paralysis" and the Liberal Democrats said Mr Blair must stop "dithering".Conservative policy director Oliver Letwin said the government was now in "near paralysis" and the Liberal Democrats said Mr Blair must stop "dithering".
The reports come as a Populus poll suggested the Conservatives would have a strong lead over Labour whether Mr Blair stayed on, or was replaced by Gordon Brown or John Reid.The reports come as a Populus poll suggested the Conservatives would have a strong lead over Labour whether Mr Blair stayed on, or was replaced by Gordon Brown or John Reid.
The poll of 1,504 people also suggested 30% of Labour voters and 51% of the general public wanted Mr Blair to step down this year.The poll of 1,504 people also suggested 30% of Labour voters and 51% of the general public wanted Mr Blair to step down this year.