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27/09/2005
Blair looks forward to change
Tony Blair has called for more reforms to public services and urged Labour to tackle the challenges posed by globalisation in his keynote speech at the Labour Party conference.
Echoing Chancellor Gordon Brown’s statements on Monday about the continuation of New Labour policies, Mr Blair said: “New Labour was never just a clever way to win. It was a fundamental re-casting of progressive politics so that the values we believed in became relevant to the time we lived in.
“In the late 20th century the world had changed. The world is on the move again. So now, in turn, we have to change again. Not step back from New Labour, but step up to a new mark a changing world is setting for us.”
During his speech, Mr Blair touched upon plans to further improve the NHS, education and transport and highlighted new social, economic and environmental policies.
On the subject of crime, Mr Blair said that crime was being fought with 19th Century "Dickensian" methods and that this system had become a problem in trying to fight 21st Century crime such as drug dealing, binge drinking and anti-social behaviour.
Mr Blair said: "The whole of our system starts from the proposition that its duty is to protect the innocent from being wrongly convicted.
"Don’t misunderstand me. That must be the duty of any criminal justice system. But surely our primary duty should be to allow law-abiding people to live in safety. It means a complete change of thinking. It doesn’t mean abandoning human rights. It means deciding whose come first."
Mr Blair said that he would be seeking a "radical extension of summary powers" for police and local authorities and that proposals to do this would be published "before the end of the year".
The Prime Minister also promised more police "on the beat" in local communities and that young people would be given places to go to take them off the streets.
He also said that he wished to see an end to the "farce" of "half a dozen agencies" all of which were involved in helping problem families.
Turning to terrorism, Mr Blair said that politics, not terror was the answer. Denouncing recent calls for Britain to leave Iraq, the Prime Minister said the answer was not to withdraw. He said eight and a half million Iraqi people had voted in the January elections and shown what future they wanted. He said the only way to stop innocent deaths was to "stand up for their right to decide their Government in the same democratic way the British people do."
Mr Blair also highlighted the successes of Labour’s historic three terms in government. He said: “There is only one Government since the war that has cut unemployment, created 2 million more jobs, had eight years of growth without recession and halved interest rates from the previous Government.
“And cut waiting lists in hospitals, improved cancer and heart care, achieved the best ever school results, halved the number of failing schools, seen a five-fold increase in the best ones; achieved record numbers of police and cut crime. Only one Chancellor to have delivered that economic record. This one. Only one Cabinet to have delivered these changes. This one. Only one Government to do it all. Your third term Labour government.”
Mr Blair also praised the completion of IRA arms decommissioning on Monday. He said: “It has taken many years, and a lot of hard work, but every minute of every hour of every all-night negotiation will have been worth it if it brings lasting peace to Northern Ireland.
“And there is a lesson from Northern Ireland. Nothing good comes easy. And in government, whatever the noise around you, you just have to persevere with the things that really matter.
Mr Blair concluded: “Let ours be the party, the one with the values of social justice, equality, fairness, that helps Britain turn a friendly face to the future.”
(KMcA/SP)
Echoing Chancellor Gordon Brown’s statements on Monday about the continuation of New Labour policies, Mr Blair said: “New Labour was never just a clever way to win. It was a fundamental re-casting of progressive politics so that the values we believed in became relevant to the time we lived in.
“In the late 20th century the world had changed. The world is on the move again. So now, in turn, we have to change again. Not step back from New Labour, but step up to a new mark a changing world is setting for us.”
During his speech, Mr Blair touched upon plans to further improve the NHS, education and transport and highlighted new social, economic and environmental policies.
On the subject of crime, Mr Blair said that crime was being fought with 19th Century "Dickensian" methods and that this system had become a problem in trying to fight 21st Century crime such as drug dealing, binge drinking and anti-social behaviour.
Mr Blair said: "The whole of our system starts from the proposition that its duty is to protect the innocent from being wrongly convicted.
"Don’t misunderstand me. That must be the duty of any criminal justice system. But surely our primary duty should be to allow law-abiding people to live in safety. It means a complete change of thinking. It doesn’t mean abandoning human rights. It means deciding whose come first."
Mr Blair said that he would be seeking a "radical extension of summary powers" for police and local authorities and that proposals to do this would be published "before the end of the year".
The Prime Minister also promised more police "on the beat" in local communities and that young people would be given places to go to take them off the streets.
He also said that he wished to see an end to the "farce" of "half a dozen agencies" all of which were involved in helping problem families.
Turning to terrorism, Mr Blair said that politics, not terror was the answer. Denouncing recent calls for Britain to leave Iraq, the Prime Minister said the answer was not to withdraw. He said eight and a half million Iraqi people had voted in the January elections and shown what future they wanted. He said the only way to stop innocent deaths was to "stand up for their right to decide their Government in the same democratic way the British people do."
Mr Blair also highlighted the successes of Labour’s historic three terms in government. He said: “There is only one Government since the war that has cut unemployment, created 2 million more jobs, had eight years of growth without recession and halved interest rates from the previous Government.
“And cut waiting lists in hospitals, improved cancer and heart care, achieved the best ever school results, halved the number of failing schools, seen a five-fold increase in the best ones; achieved record numbers of police and cut crime. Only one Chancellor to have delivered that economic record. This one. Only one Cabinet to have delivered these changes. This one. Only one Government to do it all. Your third term Labour government.”
Mr Blair also praised the completion of IRA arms decommissioning on Monday. He said: “It has taken many years, and a lot of hard work, but every minute of every hour of every all-night negotiation will have been worth it if it brings lasting peace to Northern Ireland.
“And there is a lesson from Northern Ireland. Nothing good comes easy. And in government, whatever the noise around you, you just have to persevere with the things that really matter.
Mr Blair concluded: “Let ours be the party, the one with the values of social justice, equality, fairness, that helps Britain turn a friendly face to the future.”
(KMcA/SP)
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27 September 2006
Clinton praises Blair's government as a "stunning success"
Former US President Bill Clinton has praised Tony Blair's Labour government as a "stunning success" during his speech at the party's conference in Manchester. Mr Clinton heaped praise upon the Prime Minister during his speech.
Clinton praises Blair's government as a "stunning success"
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05 April 2005
Blair announces general election
The next general election will take place on May 5, Prime Minister Tony Blair has announced. Mr Blair went to Buckingham Palace this morning to request the Queen to dissolve parliament. Speaking after his meeting with the Queen, Mr Blair said that the election was about "a big choice, a fundamental choice" and said there was "a lot at stake".
Blair announces general election
The next general election will take place on May 5, Prime Minister Tony Blair has announced. Mr Blair went to Buckingham Palace this morning to request the Queen to dissolve parliament. Speaking after his meeting with the Queen, Mr Blair said that the election was about "a big choice, a fundamental choice" and said there was "a lot at stake".
04 July 2003
Tories slam 'lonely' Blair over rallying call
A speech by the Prime Minister today, designed to unite the Labour Party – and not to "relaunch" it according to Downing Street – behind public service reform, has been slammed by the Tories as a "lonely attempt" by a "condemned man".
Tories slam 'lonely' Blair over rallying call
A speech by the Prime Minister today, designed to unite the Labour Party – and not to "relaunch" it according to Downing Street – behind public service reform, has been slammed by the Tories as a "lonely attempt" by a "condemned man".
25 April 2005
Labour attacks Conservative economic policy
Labour have emphasised their focus on a strong economy today, as the party continued to criticise the Conservatives economic policy.
Labour attacks Conservative economic policy
Labour have emphasised their focus on a strong economy today, as the party continued to criticise the Conservatives economic policy.
23 February 2004
Sitting Labour MP for Reading East deselected
A Labour Party constituency branch has voted to deselect its sitting MP as candidate for the Reading East constituency. The local party members apparently "overwhelmingly" rejected Jane Griffiths, 49, in favour of Reading Borough Councillor Tony Page.
Sitting Labour MP for Reading East deselected
A Labour Party constituency branch has voted to deselect its sitting MP as candidate for the Reading East constituency. The local party members apparently "overwhelmingly" rejected Jane Griffiths, 49, in favour of Reading Borough Councillor Tony Page.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
