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Brown to be PM 'in weeks' - Blair Brown to be PM 'in weeks' - Blair
(30 minutes later)
Tony Blair has said he expects "in all probability" that Chancellor Gordon Brown will succeed him as prime minister "in the next few weeks".Tony Blair has said he expects "in all probability" that Chancellor Gordon Brown will succeed him as prime minister "in the next few weeks".
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.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 has so far refused to formally endorse Mr Brown as his successor. He has so far refused to formally endorse Mr Brown as the next PM.
He made his prediction while campaigning in Scotland on the 10th anniversary of being elected to power.He made his prediction while campaigning in Scotland on the 10th anniversary of being elected 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.Mr Brown, who helped create New Labour with Mr Blair, is not now expected to face a high level challenge for the leadership.
Mr Blair has said he will leave No 10 by September, but there has been speculation about the precise timing of his departure.Mr Blair has said he will leave No 10 by September, but there has been speculation about the precise timing of his departure.
Speculation dampenedSpeculation dampened
He moved to dampen such speculation earlier on Tuesday by saying on GMTV: "I'll make my position clear next week, I'll say something definitive then."He moved to dampen such speculation earlier on Tuesday by saying on GMTV: "I'll make my position clear next week, I'll say something definitive then."
There had been predictions he would use his 10th anniversary to announce he was stepping down.There had been predictions he would use his 10th anniversary to announce he was stepping down.
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
But he used an election rally instead to suggest Mr Brown would be his successor within a matter of weeks.But he used an election rally instead to suggest Mr Brown would be his successor within a matter of weeks.
He told party workers: "In all probability a Scot will become PM of the United Kingdom, someone who has built our economy into one of the strongest in the world, and who, as I have said many times before, would make a great PM for Britain."He told party workers: "In all probability a Scot will become PM of the United Kingdom, someone who has built our economy into one of the strongest in the world, and who, as I have said many times before, would make a great PM for Britain."
Speculation about the precise timing of Mr Blair's 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.Speculation about the precise timing of Mr Blair's 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.
Stormy relationshipStormy relationship
Mr Blair would not be drawn on which day next week, which includes a Bank Holiday Monday, the statement would be made.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 formally endorse Mr 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 formally endorse Mr 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.
In all probability, Gordon Brown will follow Tony Blair Peter Mandelson What became of the first Blair ministers?In all probability, Gordon Brown will follow Tony Blair Peter Mandelson What became of the first Blair ministers?
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.
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.
This can hardly be what Tony Blair dreamt of saying on this historic day BBC political editor Nick Robinson Read Nick's thoughts in full This can hardly be what Tony Blair dreamt of saying on this historic day BBC political editor Nick Robinson Read Nick's thoughts in full
"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.