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Blair confirms plan to stand down | |
(10 minutes later) | |
Tony Blair has confirmed he will be stepping down as prime minister within the next 12 months. | |
Speaking on a visit to a London primary school, Mr Blair said he wanted to end speculation about his departure. | |
The announcement follow 48 hours of bitter feuding and a string of resignations over Mr Blair's refusal to name an exit date. | |
He has not said a precise date but it is expected to be some time in May, allies say. | |
There are hopes among Mr Blair's supporters that the prime minister's words will end damaging speculation over his future. | |
There has to be some certainty about who the leader is before the summer break Jack Straw href="http://5322926" class="">What happens to policy? href="/1/hi/uk_politics/5324358.stm" class="">In full: Brown statement href="/1/hi/talking_point/5323420.stm" class="">Voters' panel verdict | |
But other Labour MPs are saying it will not be enough to end civil war in the party. | |
Speaking before the prime minister's announcement, left wing backbencher Jeremy Corbyn said: "We need a date from the prime minister." | |
Chancellor Gordon Brown has said he will support Mr Blair in whatever decision he takes about his future. | |
"I am determined that in the months and years to come we continue to do our duty by the people of Britain - and it is my determination and his to do that - that will influence everything that happens in the time to come," said Mr Brown, speaking earlier. | |
'Comfortable' | 'Comfortable' |
Mr Blair's official spokesman said earlier that Mr Blair would not be "giving a running commentary" on exit dates. | |
Downing Street has rejected suggestions a deal had been struck to hand over power on 4 May, three days after Mr Blair notches up 10 years in power and the day after local elections. | Downing Street has rejected suggestions a deal had been struck to hand over power on 4 May, three days after Mr Blair notches up 10 years in power and the day after local elections. |
The BBC's political editor Nick Robinson said Mr Blair is thought likely to put a precise date on his departure "some time in the New Year". | The BBC's political editor Nick Robinson said Mr Blair is thought likely to put a precise date on his departure "some time in the New Year". |
According to this timetable, Mr Blair would then resign as Labour leader in early May, with a new prime minister in place by early June, following a party leadership election. | According to this timetable, Mr Blair would then resign as Labour leader in early May, with a new prime minister in place by early June, following a party leadership election. |
But our correspondent stressed this was a provisional timetable and could change. | But our correspondent stressed this was a provisional timetable and could change. |
Mr Blair has been under pressure to quit earlier than May in order to get a new leader in place before elections in England, Scotland and Wales, which are expected to be disastrous for Labour. | Mr Blair has been under pressure to quit earlier than May in order to get a new leader in place before elections in England, Scotland and Wales, which are expected to be disastrous for Labour. |
'Acrimonious meeting' | 'Acrimonious meeting' |
Mr Brown - the man most likely to succeed Mr Blair - was also thought to be unhappy at the prospect of taking over at the end of a Parliamentary session. | |
HAVE YOUR SAY Just resign Tony and call an election Edward Dowty, Kings Lynn, UK Send us your comments | HAVE YOUR SAY Just resign Tony and call an election Edward Dowty, Kings Lynn, UK Send us your comments |
The two men were reported to have to have had an "acrimonious meeting" over the issue on Wednesday morning. | The two men were reported to have to have had an "acrimonious meeting" over the issue on Wednesday morning. |
It was followed by a day of open warfare between supporters of the chancellor and Mr Blair over when the prime minister should quit. | |
Commons leader Jack Straw moved to calm speculation by saying voters would expect Mr Blair to stay "to the halfway point of a normal four-year parliament", which would be May. | |
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme Mr Blair had "made it clear - or it has been made clear on his behalf - this forthcoming conference, in three weeks' time, will be his last annual conference". | |
"There has to be another leader in place by next year's annual conference. | |
"Our procedures take some time, because we're a democratic party," he said. | |
"There has to be some certainty about who the leader is before the summer break next summer, not afterwards, and people can then work backwards from there. | |
"I think that is satisfactory. I think it's what the party accepts." |