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Blair to announce departure date Blair to announce departure date
(about 6 hours later)
Tony Blair will "make an announcement" on his future as Labour leader on Thursday, Downing Street has confirmed.Tony Blair will "make an announcement" on his future as Labour leader on Thursday, Downing Street has confirmed.
Mr Blair will tell Cabinet colleagues of his intentions on Thursday morning, before making his plans public in a speech in his Sedgefield constituency.Mr Blair will tell Cabinet colleagues of his intentions on Thursday morning, before making his plans public in a speech in his Sedgefield constituency.
His spokesman stressed Mr Blair would remain "focused" on the job of being prime minister until his successor is chosen by Labour in about seven weeks.His spokesman stressed Mr Blair would remain "focused" on the job of being prime minister until his successor is chosen by Labour in about seven weeks.
Chancellor Gordon Brown is the clear favourite to succeed Mr Blair.Chancellor Gordon Brown is the clear favourite to succeed Mr Blair.
Downing Street's announcement ends weeks of speculation over exactly when Mr Blair would go public with his retirement plans.Downing Street's announcement ends weeks of speculation over exactly when Mr Blair would go public with his retirement plans.
His decision to make his first public statement on the subject in Sedgefield follows a longstanding pledge to voters there that they would be the first to know about his future plans.His decision to make his first public statement on the subject in Sedgefield follows a longstanding pledge to voters there that they would be the first to know about his future plans.
'Paralysis''Paralysis'
Earlier, Mr Blair was mocked in the Commons by Conservative leader David Cameron for presiding over a "government of the living dead".Earlier, Mr Blair was mocked in the Commons by Conservative leader David Cameron for presiding over a "government of the living dead".
Come the general election, it's policy that counts Tony Blair Q&A: What happens now?Come the general election, it's policy that counts Tony Blair Q&A: What happens now?
He accused the government of being in "paralysis," with key Blairite ministers either quitting or waiting to be sacked by Mr Brown.He accused the government of being in "paralysis," with key Blairite ministers either quitting or waiting to be sacked by Mr Brown.
"And we've got a prime minister who, even after last week's drubbing, simply doesn't understand that it's over," added Mr Cameron, referring to Labour's losses in elections in England, Scotland and Wales."And we've got a prime minister who, even after last week's drubbing, simply doesn't understand that it's over," added Mr Cameron, referring to Labour's losses in elections in England, Scotland and Wales.
Mr Blair countered that he would be concentrating on "policies for the economy and health, and education and law and order" during the seven weeks he is expected to stay in Downing Street while his Labour successor is chosen.Mr Blair countered that he would be concentrating on "policies for the economy and health, and education and law and order" during the seven weeks he is expected to stay in Downing Street while his Labour successor is chosen.
He said Mr Cameron can "be as cocky as he likes about the local election results. Come the general election, it's policy that counts and on policy, we win and he loses".He said Mr Cameron can "be as cocky as he likes about the local election results. Come the general election, it's policy that counts and on policy, we win and he loses".
With the resignation announcement imminent, the Liberal Democrats have tabled a Parliamentary motion calling for the Queen to dissolve parliament and call a general election.With the resignation announcement imminent, the Liberal Democrats have tabled a Parliamentary motion calling for the Queen to dissolve parliament and call a general election.
They want to hold the prime minister to account for not fulfilling his promise to serve a full third term, and also want his successor to have a fresh mandate from the people to govern.They want to hold the prime minister to account for not fulfilling his promise to serve a full third term, and also want his successor to have a fresh mandate from the people to govern.
It is very unlikely the motion will be included in Thursday's Parliamentary business.
Domestic issuesDomestic issues
The prime minister's official spokesman stressed Mr Blair still had lots of work to do on domestic issues before he quits.The prime minister's official spokesman stressed Mr Blair still had lots of work to do on domestic issues before he quits.
There were two policy review papers on the role of the state and on families and two white papers on planning and energy security yet to be published, he said.There were two policy review papers on the role of the state and on families and two white papers on planning and energy security yet to be published, he said.
And there would also be international matters to deal with in the run-up to this summer's G8 and EU summits.And there would also be international matters to deal with in the run-up to this summer's G8 and EU summits.
The former Cabinet minister and current European Union Commissioner for Trade, Peter Mandelson, said he would support the next Labour leader and denied that Mr Blair's last weeks in office would be as a lame duck leader.The former Cabinet minister and current European Union Commissioner for Trade, Peter Mandelson, said he would support the next Labour leader and denied that Mr Blair's last weeks in office would be as a lame duck leader.
"'He's going of his own choice. He's doing it at a time which he thinks is good for the country, is good for the government. "'He's going of his own choice. He's doing it at a time which he thinks is good for the country, is good for the government."
"But he will have further decisions, further announcements, further white papers to reveal to the public and to put in train until that final moment when a new leader of the Labour Party emerges and he can then give way," he told BBC News 24.
Frantic activityFrantic activity
Mr Blair's announcement will trigger three days of frantic activity at Westminster, starting on Monday, as Labour leadership and deputy leadership hopefuls seek nominations from fellow MPs.Mr Blair's announcement will trigger three days of frantic activity at Westminster, starting on Monday, as Labour leadership and deputy leadership hopefuls seek nominations from fellow MPs.
Mr Brown has already been nominated by more than half of the Parliamentary party and will almost certainly not face a Cabinet-level challenge for the leadership, after all of the likely runners refused to stand against him.Mr Brown has already been nominated by more than half of the Parliamentary party and will almost certainly not face a Cabinet-level challenge for the leadership, after all of the likely runners refused to stand against him.
Left wing backbenchers John McDonnell and Michael Meacher are battling to gain the 44 nominations needed to get on to the ballot paper and ensure there is a contest.Left wing backbenchers John McDonnell and Michael Meacher are battling to gain the 44 nominations needed to get on to the ballot paper and ensure there is a contest.
Whoever has the least support will withdraw, giving the other a clear run.Whoever has the least support will withdraw, giving the other a clear run.
Six deputy leadership hopefuls will also be battling for nominations to enter the race to replace John Prescott, who is due to stand down with Mr Blair.Six deputy leadership hopefuls will also be battling for nominations to enter the race to replace John Prescott, who is due to stand down with Mr Blair.