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Blair confirms plan to stand down Blair confirms plan to stand down
(20 minutes later)
Tony Blair has confirmed he will be stepping down as prime minister within the next 12 months.Tony Blair has confirmed he will be stepping down as prime minister within the next 12 months.
Speaking on a visit to a London school, Mr Blair said the Labour conference in three weeks' time would be his last. Mr Blair said the Labour conference in two weeks' time would be his last.
He did not set a precise date but would do so at a future date - when it was in the interests of the country. He did not set a precise date but said he would do so in the future - when it was in the best interests of the country.
And he apologised for the internal rows in the Labour party over his exit saying the past week "has not been our finest hour, to be frank".
The announcement follows 48 hours of bitter feuding and a string of resignations over Mr Blair's refusal to name an exit date.The announcement follows 48 hours of bitter feuding and a string of resignations over Mr Blair's refusal to name an exit date.
Mr Blair said the past week "has not been our finest hour, to be frank". There has to be some certainty about who the leader is before the summer break Jack Straw href="/1/hi/uk_politics/5323592.stm" class="">Analysis: Blair's final gamble href="/1/hi/uk_politics/5324358.stm" class="">In full: Brown statement href="/1/hi/talking_point/5323420.stm" class="">Voters' panel verdict
"I think what is important now is that we understand that it's the interests of the country that come first and we move on. Mr Blair said: "I think what is important now is that we understand that it's the interests of the country that come first and we move on.
"I would have preferred to do this in my own way but it has been pretty obvious from what a lot of my Cabinet colleagues have said earlier in the week."I would have preferred to do this in my own way but it has been pretty obvious from what a lot of my Cabinet colleagues have said earlier in the week.
"The next party conference in a couple of weeks will be my last party conference as party leader. "The next party conference in a couple of weeks will be my last party conference as party leader, the next TUC conference next week will be my last TUC - probably to the relief of both of us.
"The next TUC conference next week will be my last TUC - probably to the relief of both of us.
"But I am not going to set a precise date now. I don't think that's right. I will do that at a future date and I'll do it in the interests of the country and depending on the circumstances of the time.""But I am not going to set a precise date now. I don't think that's right. I will do that at a future date and I'll do it in the interests of the country and depending on the circumstances of the time."
'Civil war''Civil war'
There are hopes among Mr Blair's supporters that the prime minister's words will end damaging speculation over his future.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 What happens to policy? In full: Brown statement Voters' panel verdict
But other Labour MPs are saying it will not be enough to end civil war in the party.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."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.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."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.Mr Blair's official spokesman said earlier that Mr Blair would not be "giving a running commentary" on exit dates.
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.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.
But 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.But 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.
HAVE YOUR SAY Just resign Tony and call an election Edward Dowty, Kings Lynn, UK Send us your comments
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'
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.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
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.It was followed by a day of open warfare between supporters of the chancellor and Mr Blair over when the prime minister should quit.
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."