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PM gone within year, allies say PM gone within year, allies say
(about 1 hour later)
A timetable for Tony Blair's departure from Number 10 appears to be emerging, with some of his closest allies saying he will step down within a year.A timetable for Tony Blair's departure from Number 10 appears to be emerging, with some of his closest allies saying he will step down within a year.
The latest is senior minister Hilary Armstrong, who said Mr Blair would be gone by the 2007 Labour conference.The latest is senior minister Hilary Armstrong, who said Mr Blair would be gone by the 2007 Labour conference.
Seventeen normally loyal Labour MPs have signed a letter urging the prime minister to quit to end uncertainty.Seventeen normally loyal Labour MPs have signed a letter urging the prime minister to quit to end uncertainty.
Junior defence minister Tom Watson, as well as four government aides, are among the signatories.Junior defence minister Tom Watson, as well as four government aides, are among the signatories.
BBC political editor Nick Robinson said the apparent timetable would not stop critics of the prime minister trying to speed his departure, with the move being interpreted as a sign of retreat and weakness.
'Farewell tour''Farewell tour'
Earlier on Tuesday, the Daily Mirror published a leaked memo said to detail plans by Blair's closest aides for a farewell tour to promote the "triumph of Blairism".Earlier on Tuesday, the Daily Mirror published a leaked memo said to detail plans by Blair's closest aides for a farewell tour to promote the "triumph of Blairism".
But Downing Street said neither Mr Blair nor any senior No 10 staff had seen the memo.But Downing Street said neither Mr Blair nor any senior No 10 staff had seen the memo.
Environment Secretary David Miliband later appeared on BBC Radio 4 to say "the conventional wisdom is that the prime minister sees himself carrying on for about another 12 months".Environment Secretary David Miliband later appeared on BBC Radio 4 to say "the conventional wisdom is that the prime minister sees himself carrying on for about another 12 months".
Effectively, we have the timetable Tony Blair has refused to confirm BBC political editor Nick Robinson Read Nick's thoughts in full Effectively, we have the timetable Tony Blair has refused to confirm BBC political editor Nick Robinson Read Nick's thoughts in full
And comments were echoed hours later by former chief whip Ms Armstrong - the first member of Mr Blair's inner circle to go so far in statements about his future.And comments were echoed hours later by former chief whip Ms Armstrong - the first member of Mr Blair's inner circle to go so far in statements about his future.
"We expect that there will be a new leader in position for conference 2007," she told the BBC."We expect that there will be a new leader in position for conference 2007," she told the BBC.
"[Mr Blair] will decide how to handle this effectively, and he's already made it very clear he will give the next person ample time and he wants an ordered transition.""[Mr Blair] will decide how to handle this effectively, and he's already made it very clear he will give the next person ample time and he wants an ordered transition."
'Further letter''Further letter'
Downing Street said the letter from the 17 MPs, all of whom entered Parliament in 2001, had been faxed.Downing Street said the letter from the 17 MPs, all of whom entered Parliament in 2001, had been faxed.
"Although there has been much discussion of the content of the letter, it is marked 'private and confidential' and we intend to treat it as such," a spokesman said."Although there has been much discussion of the content of the letter, it is marked 'private and confidential' and we intend to treat it as such," a spokesman said.
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?
Signatories included West Bromwich East MP Mr Watson and ministerial aides Khalid Mahmood, Wayne David, Ian Lucas and David Wright.Signatories included West Bromwich East MP Mr Watson and ministerial aides Khalid Mahmood, Wayne David, Ian Lucas and David Wright.
Mr Mahmood refused to confirm the letter's existence but said there were issues to be addressed within the party.Mr Mahmood refused to confirm the letter's existence but said there were issues to be addressed within the party.
A second group of Labour MPs elected in 2005 are thought to be drafting their own letter urging Mr Blair to quit immediately.A second group of Labour MPs elected in 2005 are thought to be drafting their own letter urging Mr Blair to quit immediately.
Meanwhile, 49 Labour MPs have signed a statement saying they are satisfied with a 12-month timetable for his departure.Meanwhile, 49 Labour MPs have signed a statement saying they are satisfied with a 12-month timetable for his departure.
Sir Jeremy Beecham, chairman of Labour's national executive committee, said the MPs' letters were misconceived.Sir Jeremy Beecham, chairman of Labour's national executive committee, said the MPs' letters were misconceived.
Mr Blair was "conscious of what needs to be done" and would ensure a new leader was in place by the time of next year's Labour conference, said Sir Jeremy.Mr Blair was "conscious of what needs to be done" and would ensure a new leader was in place by the time of next year's Labour conference, said Sir Jeremy.
The prime minister last week rejected calls to use this month's Labour Party conference to indicate a timetable.The prime minister last week rejected calls to use this month's Labour Party conference to indicate a timetable.