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Blair quit plans due 'next week' Brown to be PM 'in weeks' - Blair
(about 2 hours later)
Tony Blair will say "something definitive" next week about his plans to step down as prime minister. Tony Blair has said he expects "in all probability" that Chancellor Gordon Brown will succeed him as prime minister "in the next few weeks".
He has already said he will leave No 10 by September, but there has been speculation about the precise timings. Mr Blair says he will announce his resignation next week, after which he will stay as PM for about seven weeks until Labour chooses his successor.
He appeared to rule out suggestions he might announce his departure before, or straight after, this week's elections. He has so far refused to formally endorse Mr Brown as his successor.
The PM, whose announcement would prompt a seven week leadership process, said: "I'll make my position clear next week, I'll say something definitive then." He made his prediction while campaigning in Scotland on the 10th anniversary of being elected to power.
Mr Blair's comments, in an interview with GMTV, come as he celebrates the 10th anniversary of the general election that saw him sweep to power. Mr Brown, who helped create New Labour with Mr Blair, is not now expected to face a high level challenge for the leadership.
Speculation he would use the occasion to announce his retirement was firmly denied last week by Downing Street. Mr Blair has said he will leave No 10 by September, but there has been speculation about the precise timings of his departure.
He narrowed the timing on that earlier on Tuesday by saying on GMTV: "I'll make my position clear next week, I'll say something definitive then."
Stormy relationshipStormy relationship
Attention is now focused on Wednesday or Thursday next week, after the planned resumption of power sharing in Northern Ireland - seen as one of the biggest achievements of Mr Blair's time in office. There had been speculation he might use the anniversary to announce he was stepping down.
But he used an election rally instead to suggest Mr Brown would be his successor within a matter of weeks.
Speculation about the precise timing of his resignation statement is now focused on Wednesday or Thursday next week, after the planned resumption of power sharing in Northern Ireland - seen as one of the biggest achievements of Mr Blair's time in office.
We were perhaps too ready to place emphasis on our management of the media in those early years of government Peter Mandelson Send us your commentsWe were perhaps too ready to place emphasis on our management of the media in those early years of government Peter Mandelson Send us your comments
Mr Blair's comments would appear to rule out an announcement in the immediate aftermath of Thursday's elections in Scotland, Wales and English local authorities, which are expected to be bad for Labour. Mr Blair would not be drawn on which day next week, which includes a Bank Holiday Monday, the statement would be made.
According to press reports, Mr Blair will use his retirement announcement to endorse Gordon Brown's leadership bid - in a final act of reconciliation with the chancellor, with whom he has enjoyed a stormy relationship.According to press reports, Mr Blair will use his retirement announcement to endorse Gordon Brown's leadership bid - in a final act of reconciliation with the chancellor, with whom he has enjoyed a stormy relationship.
Mr Brown has, meanwhile, heaped praise on Mr Blair in an article to mark his 10 years in power.Mr Brown has, meanwhile, heaped praise on Mr Blair in an article to mark his 10 years in power.
Writing in The Sun newspaper, Mr Brown said he was "honoured" to call Mr Blair his "oldest friend in politics", while admitting there had been "ups and downs" along the way.Writing in The Sun newspaper, Mr Brown said he was "honoured" to call Mr Blair his "oldest friend in politics", while admitting there had been "ups and downs" along the way.
CoronationCoronation
He praises Mr Blair for standing shoulder to shoulder with America after the September 11 attacks, for bringing the 2012 Olympics to London, his role in the Northern Ireland peace process and his handling of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales.He praises Mr Blair for standing shoulder to shoulder with America after the September 11 attacks, for bringing the 2012 Olympics to London, his role in the Northern Ireland peace process and his handling of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales.
And - in a further sign of an impending Brown coronation - EU Trade Commissioner and key Blair ally Peter Mandelson predicted the chancellor would succeed Mr Blair in Number 10.And - in a further sign of an impending Brown coronation - EU Trade Commissioner and key Blair ally Peter Mandelson predicted the chancellor would succeed Mr Blair in Number 10.
"In all probability, Gordon Brown will follow Tony Blair. He will now have been able to fulfil his ambition and his desire to lead the party and be prime minister," he said."In all probability, Gordon Brown will follow Tony Blair. He will now have been able to fulfil his ambition and his desire to lead the party and be prime minister," he said.
But Mr Mandelson said it was up to Labour Party members to decide the future direction of the party.But Mr Mandelson said it was up to Labour Party members to decide the future direction of the party.
"It's up to the party to decide whether it wants to be New Labour and build on what we've done and to create a new New Labour.""It's up to the party to decide whether it wants to be New Labour and build on what we've done and to create a new New Labour."
Media managementMedia management
Mr Mandelson, who was one of the key architects of New Labour, also admitted the party focused too much on media management during its first years in office.Mr Mandelson, who was one of the key architects of New Labour, also admitted the party focused too much on media management during its first years in office.
The former Northern Ireland secretary said it was not until late in the first term that Mr Blair concentrated more on policies.The former Northern Ireland secretary said it was not until late in the first term that Mr Blair concentrated more on policies.
"We were perhaps too ready to place emphasis on our management of the media in those early years of government, rather than concentrate on a more policy driven process," said Mr Mandelson."We were perhaps too ready to place emphasis on our management of the media in those early years of government, rather than concentrate on a more policy driven process," said Mr Mandelson.
He added: "I acknowledge it, but I think it was put right after the first few years. "He added: "I acknowledge it, but I think it was put right after the first few years. "
Mr Blair will continue to be prime minister until a new Labour leader is elected, which is expected to happen at the end of June.Mr Blair will continue to be prime minister until a new Labour leader is elected, which is expected to happen at the end of June.
The prospect of a Cabinet-level challenge to Mr Brown has all but disappeared but he could still face a contest with either John McDonnell or Michael Meacher from the left of the party.The prospect of a Cabinet-level challenge to Mr Brown has all but disappeared but he could still face a contest with either John McDonnell or Michael Meacher from the left of the party.