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07/09/2006
Blair to go within a year
Tony Blair has announced that he will stand down as Prime Minister within the next year.
However, he did not name a precise date for his departure from office.
Mr Blair said that the next Labour conference would be his last and apologised for the row over setting a date for his departure, saying that "it has not been our finest hour, to be frank".
Mr Blair, who said that he would stand down as Prime Minister before the next General Election, has steadfastly refused to set a date for his departure from office.
However, earlier this week it emerged that 17 MPs had signed a letter urging Mr Blair to name the date when he would step down.
This was followed on Wednesday by the resignation of eight Labour MPs from their government posts, including junior defence minister Tom Watson.
However, although there have been reports of acrimonious exchanges between Mr Blair and Chancellor Gordon Brown - seen by many as the natural successor to Mr Blair - Mr Brown said on Thursday that he would support Mr Blair in any decision he made about his future.
(KMcA/EF)
However, he did not name a precise date for his departure from office.
Mr Blair said that the next Labour conference would be his last and apologised for the row over setting a date for his departure, saying that "it has not been our finest hour, to be frank".
Mr Blair, who said that he would stand down as Prime Minister before the next General Election, has steadfastly refused to set a date for his departure from office.
However, earlier this week it emerged that 17 MPs had signed a letter urging Mr Blair to name the date when he would step down.
This was followed on Wednesday by the resignation of eight Labour MPs from their government posts, including junior defence minister Tom Watson.
However, although there have been reports of acrimonious exchanges between Mr Blair and Chancellor Gordon Brown - seen by many as the natural successor to Mr Blair - Mr Brown said on Thursday that he would support Mr Blair in any decision he made about his future.
(KMcA/EF)
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Seven Labour MPs have quit their government posts over Tony Blair's refusal to say when he will step down as Prime Minister. Junior defence minister Tom Watson was the first to quit his post, followed by five parliamentary secretaries: Khalid Mahmood, Wayne David, Ian Lucas, Mark Tami, Chris Mole and David Wright.
MPs resign as pressure on Blair mounts
Seven Labour MPs have quit their government posts over Tony Blair's refusal to say when he will step down as Prime Minister. Junior defence minister Tom Watson was the first to quit his post, followed by five parliamentary secretaries: Khalid Mahmood, Wayne David, Ian Lucas, Mark Tami, Chris Mole and David Wright.
08 May 2006
Blair declines to set departure date
Prime Minister Tony Blair has again declined to set a firm timetable for his departure from office, defiantly facing down Labour party backbenchers. At his monthly press briefing Mr Blair declared that giving a timetable would “paralyse the proper working of government" and doom the party to opposition.
Blair declines to set departure date
Prime Minister Tony Blair has again declined to set a firm timetable for his departure from office, defiantly facing down Labour party backbenchers. At his monthly press briefing Mr Blair declared that giving a timetable would “paralyse the proper working of government" and doom the party to opposition.
01 September 2006
Blair remains defiant over departure plans
Prime Minister Tony Blair is continuing to refuse to set a date for his departure from Downing Street, despite increasing calls from Labour MPs to announce when he will step down. Mr Blair has indicated that he will step down as PM before the next General Election but has refused to set an actual date for his departure.
Blair remains defiant over departure plans
Prime Minister Tony Blair is continuing to refuse to set a date for his departure from Downing Street, despite increasing calls from Labour MPs to announce when he will step down. Mr Blair has indicated that he will step down as PM before the next General Election but has refused to set an actual date for his departure.
13 May 2003
Short calls on Blair to stand down
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24 October 2005
Blair unveils 'pivotal' education reforms
Prime Minister Tony Blair has unveiled plans to reform Britain’s state schools, describing it as a “pivotal moment” for his government. Speaking ahead of the publication of an Education White Paper tomorrow, Mr Blair said that he wanted to offer “more power and choice for parents”, by freeing schools from the control of local authorities.
Blair unveils 'pivotal' education reforms
Prime Minister Tony Blair has unveiled plans to reform Britain’s state schools, describing it as a “pivotal moment” for his government. Speaking ahead of the publication of an Education White Paper tomorrow, Mr Blair said that he wanted to offer “more power and choice for parents”, by freeing schools from the control of local authorities.
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