This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/5319328.stm

The article has changed 23 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 18 Version 19
Blair faces wave of resignations Blair faces wave of resignations
(20 minutes later)
Tony Blair has faced a wave of resignations by junior members of his government over his refusal to name a date for resignation as Labour leader.Tony Blair has faced a wave of resignations by junior members of his government over his refusal to name a date for resignation as Labour leader.
He branded ex-junior minister Tom Watson, the most senior person to quit, "disloyal, discourteous and wrong" for signing a letter urging him to go.He branded ex-junior minister Tom Watson, the most senior person to quit, "disloyal, discourteous and wrong" for signing a letter urging him to go.
The resignations came as Mr Blair faces growing pressure to name a departure date or even quit now.The resignations came as Mr Blair faces growing pressure to name a departure date or even quit now.
Gordon Brown's backers say assurances he will resign in May are "not enough".Gordon Brown's backers say assurances he will resign in May are "not enough".
'Great sadness' Brownite plot
But Mr Blair's supporters claim the calls for him to quit are an orcestrated plot by supporters of Mr Brown, who has so far declined to comment on the furore.
In a statement, former Home Secretary David Blunkett said: "It is now in Gordon Brown's - and the Labour Party's - best interests for those seeking the prime minister's immediate departure to back off.
"This is not only to avoid our opponents exploiting the impression of disintegration and division, but also to avoid the split of our party, which would have lasting consequences.
"No-one can benefit from a split in the government or the party now, or in the foreseeable future, and this is patently avoidable by a return to common sense."
'Clear timetable'
Mr Watson and the six parliamentary private secretaries (PPSs) - who are unpaid ministerial aides at the bottom rung of the government ladder - were among a number of normally loyal Labour MPs from the 2001 intake who signed a letter calling on Mr Blair to quit.Mr Watson and the six parliamentary private secretaries (PPSs) - who are unpaid ministerial aides at the bottom rung of the government ladder - were among a number of normally loyal Labour MPs from the 2001 intake who signed a letter calling on Mr Blair to quit.
The six were: Khalid Mahmood, Wayne David, Ian Lucas, Mark Tami, Chris Mole and David Wright.The six were: Khalid Mahmood, Wayne David, Ian Lucas, Mark Tami, Chris Mole and David Wright.
To sign a round robin letter which was then leaked to the press was disloyal, discourteous and wrong Tony Blair In full: Resignation letters Analysis: Can Blair hang on?To sign a round robin letter which was then leaked to the press was disloyal, discourteous and wrong Tony Blair In full: Resignation letters Analysis: Can Blair hang on?
In a joint statement, four of the PPS group said Mr Blair had "not ended the uncertainty over when you intend to leave office, which is damaging the government and the party".In a joint statement, four of the PPS group said Mr Blair had "not ended the uncertainty over when you intend to leave office, which is damaging the government and the party".
Mr David told BBC Radio 5 Live he was worried about next year's elections in Scotland and Wales, adding: "We obviously will do much better if we have a clear timetable set out for transition".Mr David told BBC Radio 5 Live he was worried about next year's elections in Scotland and Wales, adding: "We obviously will do much better if we have a clear timetable set out for transition".
It was "common sense" for Mr Blair to hand over to Mr Brown sooner rather than later, he added.
But Ann Clwyd, chairman of the parliamentary Labour Party, said the resignations looked to her like an "orchestrated" campaign.
Without an urgent change in the leadership of the party it becomes less likely that we will win that election Loyal Labour MPs urging Blair to quit In full: 2001 intake letterWithout an urgent change in the leadership of the party it becomes less likely that we will win that election Loyal Labour MPs urging Blair to quit In full: 2001 intake letter
"This kind of disloyalty is not going to be forgotten by people in the Labour party," she told the BBC.
Mr Watson, who has already been replaced as a junior defence minister by junior transport minister Derek Twigg, said he no longer believed that it was in the best interests of the party or the country for Mr Blair to continue.Mr Watson, who has already been replaced as a junior defence minister by junior transport minister Derek Twigg, said he no longer believed that it was in the best interests of the party or the country for Mr Blair to continue.
Impossible positionImpossible position
But Mr Blair hit back saying that calls for his resignation were putting Labour's electoral prospects at risk.But Mr Blair hit back saying that calls for his resignation were putting Labour's electoral prospects at risk.
He said he had been "intending to dismiss" Mr Watson anyway "but wanted to extend to him the courtesy of speaking to him first".He said he had been "intending to dismiss" Mr Watson anyway "but wanted to extend to him the courtesy of speaking to him first".
GOVERNMENT HIERARCHY Cabinet: 23 people - appointed by PM to head departments and decide government policyMinister of State: 28 people - middle-ranking ministers responsible for specific areaParliamentary Secretaries/ Under secretaries of state: 36 people - the most junior ministers, often responsible for aspect of department's work Whips: 23 people - communicate government objectives and MPs' concerns Law Officers: 3 people - provide high-grade legal adviceParliamentary Private Secretaries: 55 people - act as unpaid assistant to minister. Seen as first rung on ladder
The prime minister added: "Had he come to me privately and expressed his view about the leadership, that would have been one thing.The prime minister added: "Had he come to me privately and expressed his view about the leadership, that would have been one thing.
"But to sign a round robin letter which was then leaked to the press was disloyal, discourteous and wrong."But to sign a round robin letter which was then leaked to the press was disloyal, discourteous and wrong.
"It would therefore have been impossible for him to remain in government.""It would therefore have been impossible for him to remain in government."
'Change wanted''Change wanted'
The Sun newspaper said earlier that Mr Blair will go on 31 May, but Number 10 has insisted it had not leaked the date.The Sun newspaper said earlier that Mr Blair will go on 31 May, but Number 10 has insisted it had not leaked the date.
Meanwhile, leading Brownites are calling for the prime minister to make a public declaration about when he will go, so that he cannot go back on it.Meanwhile, leading Brownites are calling for the prime minister to make a public declaration about when he will go, so that he cannot go back on it.
If this is a coup, are Brown's allies ready to follow through? BBC political editor Nick Robinson Read Nick's thoughts in full If this is a coup, are Brown's allies ready to follow through? BBC political editor Nick Robinson Read Nick's thoughts in full
One of the chancellor's closest allies, who asked not to be named, told the BBC News website: "From Gordon's point of view there has to be a public statement.One of the chancellor's closest allies, who asked not to be named, told the BBC News website: "From Gordon's point of view there has to be a public statement.
"Blair has to let it be known when he will go and there has to be a public declaration.""Blair has to let it be known when he will go and there has to be a public declaration."
Ex-minister Doug Henderson, also a Brown supporter, said he could not see what Mr Blair would achieve by staying on.Ex-minister Doug Henderson, also a Brown supporter, said he could not see what Mr Blair would achieve by staying on.
HAVE YOUR SAY I think Mr Blair is left with no option but to lay out a clear timetable for departure Mark Thomas, Hastings Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY I think Mr Blair is left with no option but to lay out a clear timetable for departure Mark Thomas, Hastings Send us your comments
"There should be a new leader in place by the end of March," said Mr Henderson, in time for the local elections and mid-term polls in Scotland and Wales."There should be a new leader in place by the end of March," said Mr Henderson, in time for the local elections and mid-term polls in Scotland and Wales.
He said the timetable suggested on Tuesday by allies of Mr Blair - that he would go in about 12 months time - seemed "the worst time to appoint a new leader". "People in the country want a change," he added.
"People in the country want a change," he told the BBC News website.
Ex-Cabinet minister David Blunkett said it was now "pretty clear that there is an understanding about a date next year - whether it's 31 May when he announces it is open to speculation".
Conservative leader David Cameron said the government was "in meltdown", while Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell added that Mr Blair "should either resign or state a date".Conservative leader David Cameron said the government was "in meltdown", while Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell added that Mr Blair "should either resign or state a date".