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Blair tries to rein in squabbling Blair tries to rein in squabbling
(20 minutes later)
Tony Blair is to try to draw a line under the tensions in the Labour Party as Charles Clarke launches another attack on Chancellor Gordon Brown. Tony Blair is to make a rallying speech to Labour activists in an attempt to end infighting in the party.
In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, the former home secretary says the chancellor is a "deluded control freak". The call comes as former home secretary Charles Clarke launches another attack on Chancellor Gordon Brown.
His attack comes after a week of infighting focussed on when the prime minister will hand over power. At the end of a week in which Labour focused on when the PM will hand over power, he tells the Daily Telegraph Mr Brown is a "deluded control freak".
Mr Blair is to urge party activists to stop "fretting" about opinion polls. Mr Blair will urge the party to stop "fretting" about opinion polls and to focus on challenges facing the country.
He is expected to use the keynote speech at the 10th anniversary conference of the Progress Organisation to rally party activists and attempt to stem the infighting within his party. He is making the keynote speech at the 10th anniversary conference of the Progress Organisation.
In his address to the New Labour think tank, he is likely to call for those concerned that his party is trailing the Tories in opinion polls to recognise that popularity swings are part of government life.In his address to the New Labour think tank, he is likely to call for those concerned that his party is trailing the Tories in opinion polls to recognise that popularity swings are part of government life.
His massive weakness is that he can't work with people Charles Clarke,Former home secretaryHis massive weakness is that he can't work with people Charles Clarke,Former home secretary
The prime minister will also urge politicians and activists to have faith in the public and concentrate on issues such as security, migration, globalisation and the environment.The prime minister will also urge politicians and activists to have faith in the public and concentrate on issues such as security, migration, globalisation and the environment.
The attempt to heal wounds within the party comes as Mr Clarke launches another attack on Mr Brown.The attempt to heal wounds within the party comes as Mr Clarke launches another attack on Mr Brown.
The former Cabinet minister's words follow mounting speculation about the end of Mr Blair's tenure as prime minister and his likely successor.The former Cabinet minister's words follow mounting speculation about the end of Mr Blair's tenure as prime minister and his likely successor.
Mr Clarke had already branded the chancellor - who is widely expected to succeed Mr Blair - as "absolutely stupid" in a newspaper interview.Mr Clarke had already branded the chancellor - who is widely expected to succeed Mr Blair - as "absolutely stupid" in a newspaper interview.
And, speaking to the Telegraph, he added further criticisms.And, speaking to the Telegraph, he added further criticisms.
'Control freak''Control freak'
Mr Clarke accused Mr Brown of being unable to work with other people, as well as lacking the courage to take tough decisions .Mr Clarke accused Mr Brown of being unable to work with other people, as well as lacking the courage to take tough decisions .
"He is totally, totally uncollegiate," he said."He is totally, totally uncollegiate," he said.
"From my own experience of dealing with student finance and ID cards, it was very, very difficult to work with him - very difficult indeed."From my own experience of dealing with student finance and ID cards, it was very, very difficult to work with him - very difficult indeed.
"It was the control freak thing. His massive weakness is that he can't work with people.""It was the control freak thing. His massive weakness is that he can't work with people."
The former home secretary also said the chancellor was labouring under the "delusion" that he could have beaten Blair for the Labour leadership if he had stood in 1994, when in fact he would have been "humiliated".The former home secretary also said the chancellor was labouring under the "delusion" that he could have beaten Blair for the Labour leadership if he had stood in 1994, when in fact he would have been "humiliated".
Polls cast doubtsPolls cast doubts
Mr Clarke had previously been seen as a close ally of Mr Blair, but said he was "furious" to have been sacked by the prime minister in May and denied he was "working in league with Tony Blair or Downing Street".Mr Clarke had previously been seen as a close ally of Mr Blair, but said he was "furious" to have been sacked by the prime minister in May and denied he was "working in league with Tony Blair or Downing Street".
Labour Party chair Hazel Blears said she did not recognise Mr Clarke's description of the chancellor and such views were not widely shared across the government.Labour Party chair Hazel Blears said she did not recognise Mr Clarke's description of the chancellor and such views were not widely shared across the government.
"I am saying to everybody, all my colleagues, let's concentrate on the challenges that are out there," she added."I am saying to everybody, all my colleagues, let's concentrate on the challenges that are out there," she added.
Meanwhile, a poll for the Guardian newspaper suggested the public would like to see Mr Brown challenged for the Labour leadership.Meanwhile, a poll for the Guardian newspaper suggested the public would like to see Mr Brown challenged for the Labour leadership.
Some 66% said they would prefer a contest against 25% who said the chancellor should be crowned unopposed.Some 66% said they would prefer a contest against 25% who said the chancellor should be crowned unopposed.
Only a third - 33% - of those questioned by ICM thought the chancellor would be the leader best able to win the next general election for the party.Only a third - 33% - of those questioned by ICM thought the chancellor would be the leader best able to win the next general election for the party.
Meanwhile, 52% of the 513 British adults questioned by ICM opted for "someone else".Meanwhile, 52% of the 513 British adults questioned by ICM opted for "someone else".