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I will quit within a year - Blair I will quit within a year - Blair
(about 1 hour later)
Tony Blair has confirmed he will be stepping down as prime minister within the next 12 months. Tony Blair has confirmed that he will step down as prime minister within the next 12 months.
Mr Blair said the Labour conference in two weeks' time would be his last - but he did not name a precise departure date, saying it should be left to him. Mr Blair said the Labour conference in two weeks' time would be his last as Labour leader - but he did not name a precise date for his departure.
He also apologised for Labour's conduct in recent days, admitting it "has not been our finest hour, to be frank".He also apologised for Labour's conduct in recent days, admitting it "has not been our finest hour, to be frank".
Allies have suggested Mr Blair will announce a timetable early in the New Year and hand over power in May.Allies have suggested Mr Blair will announce a timetable early in the New Year and hand over power in May.
But Mr Blair's supporters are hoping the statement will end damaging speculation over his exit plans. Mr Blair and his supporters will be hoping his statement will end the civil war that has broken out in the past week among Labour MPs over his departure.
International Development Secretary Hilary Benn said he hoped "people would understand what it is required" and get on with the business of governing. International Development Secretary Hilary Benn said he wished "people would understand what it is required" and get on with the business of governing.
But other Labour MPs said Mr Blair's statement would not be enough to quell dissent. But some Labour MPs are already saying Mr Blair's statement will not be enough to quell dissent.
I am determined that in the months and years to come we continue to do our duty by the people of Britain Gordon Brown Analysis: Blair's final gamble In full: Blair statement In full: Brown statement When I met the prime minister yesterday, I said to him - as I've said on many occasions and I repeat today - it is for him to make the decision Gordon Brown Analysis: Blair's final gamble In full: Blair statement In full: Brown statement
Manchester Blakeley MP Graham Stringer said if Mr Blair "thought it was going to take the politics out of the next nine months that simply is not going to happen". Manchester Blackley MP Graham Stringer said he did not think Mr Blair's statement "took us any further forward".
And he called on Mr Blair to "fire the starting pistol on a leadership election" at Labour's conference later this month.And he called on Mr Blair to "fire the starting pistol on a leadership election" at Labour's conference later this month.
Brownite Doug Henderson said: "It doesn't seem to me that the public knows any more about the PM's retirement plans. Newcastle North MP Doug Henderson, a close ally of Gordon Brown, said: "It doesn't seem to me that the public knows any more about the PM's retirement plans.
"People keep saying to me that the Labour party must have a clear direction forward with clear priorities and a new leader before the May 2007 elections.""People keep saying to me that the Labour party must have a clear direction forward with clear priorities and a new leader before the May 2007 elections."
BBC Political Editor Nick Robinson said there was still a lot of "poison" among Labour backbenchers anxious to see Mr Blair quit. BBC Political Editor Nick Robinson said there was still a lot of "poison" emanating from Labour MPs - and allies of Mr Blair and Mr Brown were continuing to fight behind the scenes.
'No precise date''No precise date'
In his brief statement, Mr Blair told reporters: "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. In his brief statement, made during a visit to a London school, 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 think that Labour has had its moment of madness this week and I hope it will now move on Peter Mandelson Political reactionn I think that Labour has had its moment of madness this week and I hope it will now move on Peter Mandelson Political reaction href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/uk_politics/2006/blair_succession/default.stm" class="">Special report: Blair succession
"I would have preferred to do this in my own way but it has been pretty obvious from what many 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 many 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 TUC conference next week will be my last TUC - probably to the relief of both of us."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.
"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."
Speaking earlier, Chancellor Gordon Brown said he would support Mr Blair in whatever decision he took about his future. He also had a message for warring Labour MPs, saying: "It's the public that comes first and it's the country that matters, and we can't treat the public as irrelevant bystanders in a subject as important as who is their prime minister."
"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, Chancellor Gordon Brown said it was for Mr Blair to decide when he quit.
"When I met the prime minister yesterday, I said to him - as I've said on many occasions and I repeat today - it is for him to make the decision," he told reporters during a visit to a Glasgow athletics track.
Mandelson reactionMandelson reaction
EU trade commissioner and key Blair ally, Peter Mandelson, said: "I think that Labour has had its moment of madness this week and I hope it will now move on and that the plotting and the shenanigans will be put behind them once and for all. Giving his reaction, EU trade commissioner and key Blair ally Peter Mandelson said: "I think that Labour has had its moment of madness this week and I hope it will now move on and that the plotting and the shenanigans will be put behind them once and for all.
KEY LABOUR DATES 25-26 Sept: Mr Blair and Mr Brown make speeches at the Labour Party conference in Manchester15 Nov: State opening of Parliament including the Queen's speech outlining the government's agenda2 May 2007: Tenth anniversary of Mr Blair's election as prime minister3 May 2007: Elections for Scottish and Welsh assemblies, and most local authorities in England
"They've got to concentrate on the needs of the country, not themselves.""They've got to concentrate on the needs of the country, not themselves."
He said he always thought Mr Blair would step down after 10 years in office, as "it was as much as someone could do that job for".He said he always thought Mr Blair would step down after 10 years in office, as "it was as much as someone could do that job for".
Speaking earlier, Commons leader Jack Straw said he would expect Mr Blair to stay "to the halfway point of a normal four-year parliament", which would be May.Speaking earlier, Commons leader Jack Straw said he would expect Mr Blair to stay "to the halfway point of a normal four-year parliament", which would be May.
But Downing Street 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 the local elections.But Downing Street 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 the local elections.
HAVE YOUR SAY Just resign Tony and call an election Edward Dowty, Kings Lynn, UK Send us your commentsHAVE 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 the 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 the elections in England, Scotland and Wales - which are expected to be disastrous for Labour.
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.
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 - and a string of government resignations - over when the prime minister should quit.