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Blair urged to go by Labour MPs Blair urged to go by Labour MPs
(about 2 hours 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 17 normally loyal Labour MPs has written to Tony Blair urging him to quit as prime minister.
The 17 MPs, who were elected in 2001, made the call as the prime minister faced mounting pressure to name his departure date. A second letter from new Labour MPs calling for his immediate departure is also thought have been drafted but has not yet been sent.
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 celebrating his achievements.
It follows a leaked memo detailing plans for a farewell tour by Mr Blair. Cabinet minister David Miliband earlier tried to end speculation by saying Mr Blair would quit in a year's time.
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 Key quotes: 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 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 a letter 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".
Albert Owen, a Welsh Labour MP elected in 2001, said he had not been approached about the joint letter but had written personally to Mr Blair over the weekend urging him to go "sooner rather than later".
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. Mr Owen told BBC News: "He has made an announcement [about stepping down before the next election] and he's not been able to get on with the job because of the speculation."
"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. Bristol MP Kerry McCarthy, who was elected last year, said she had seen a separate letter drafted by members of the 2005 Labour intake.
Sir Jeremy Beecham, chairman of Labour's national executive committee, said the letter was misconceived. Ms McCarthy said she had not yet signed the letter but agreed the party's troubles had to be resolved soon, with Mr Blair leaving by the spring.
"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. Another member of the 2005 intake, who did not want to be named, said the letter called on Mr Blair to go immediately, although it was only in draft form and may change before being sent.
Leaving in triumph? The MP said politically Mr Blair was a "wounded man" and should step down at this year's party conference to end damaging speculation and "media hype".
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. Sir Jeremy Beecham, chairman of Labour's national executive committee, said the letters were misconceived.
Meanwhile Mr Miliband, speaking earlier on the Today programme became the first senior minister to give a specific timescale for Mr Blair's departure. Mr Blair was "conscious of what needs to be done," he told the BBC, and would ensure there was new leader in time for next year's conference.
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. Former Home Secretary Charles Clarke suggested Mr Blair would not be swayed by the MPs' letters - he would focus on doing the best thing.
In a separate development, a leaked memo suggesting a farewell tour to promote the "triumph of Blairism" has been published by the Daily Mirror. Speaking earlier on Today, Environment Secretary David Miliband said he agreed with the "conventional wisdom" that Mr Blair would stand down in a year's time - although he said he had not spoken to Mr Blair about the date.
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.
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".
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".
But 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".
Meanwhile, 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."
Downing Street says neither Mr Blair nor any senior No 10 staff have seen the memo.
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.